'Some keep the Sabbath going to Church' by Emily Dickinson

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Some keep the Sabbath going to Church-
I keep it, staying at Home-
With a Bobolink for a Chorister-
And an Orchard, for a Dome-Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice-
I just wear my Wings-
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton-sings.God preaches, a noted Clergyman-
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at least-
I'm going, all along.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church by Emily Dickinson

Oh, what a masterpiece! Emily Dickinson's "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" is a fascinating piece of poetry that delves into the concept of religious worship and the various ways in which people choose to connect with the divine.

Context

Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet who lived in the 19th century. Despite being a recluse for most of her life, she left behind a legacy of over 1,800 poems that explore a wide range of themes, including nature, love, death, and spirituality.

Analysis

"Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" is a poem that challenges the traditional notion of religious worship. Instead of going to church on Sundays, the speaker of the poem chooses to worship in her own way, by communing with nature and finding solace in the beauty of the world around her.

The poem is structured as a series of quatrains, with a rhyme scheme of ABCB. This gives the poem a musical quality, and the repetition of the rhyme scheme adds to its overall sense of rhythm and flow.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker declaring that she does not need to go to church to keep the Sabbath. Instead, she finds her own way of connecting with the divine:

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –

The use of the Bobolink as a chorister is particularly interesting. The Bobolink is a bird known for its beautiful song, and by using it as a symbol of worship, Dickinson is suggesting that the beauty of nature is just as valid a form of worship as attending church.

In the second stanza, the speaker goes on to describe the various ways in which she worships. She finds God in the beauty of the natural world, from the flowers in the garden to the sunset in the sky:

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the Sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.

The use of the word "wings" is particularly significant here. It suggests that the speaker is able to transcend the physical world and connect with the divine on a spiritual level. By wearing wings, she is able to soar above the earthly realm and connect with something greater than herself.

The third and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring that she has found her own way of worshipping, and that it brings her just as close to God as attending church:

With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –
Some keep the Sabbath in Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –

The repetition of the first and last lines of the poem serves to reinforce the speaker's message. She is stating her case clearly and confidently, and she is unapologetic in her belief that she can connect with the divine in her own way.

Interpretation

"Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" is a poem that challenges the traditional notion of religious worship. Instead of blindly following established rituals and practices, the speaker of the poem is advocating for individuality and personal expression.

The poem can be interpreted as a critique of organized religion, which can often be rigid and dogmatic. The speaker is suggesting that there are other ways to connect with the divine, and that true spirituality comes from within.

The use of nature imagery throughout the poem is significant. By finding God in the beauty of the natural world, the speaker is suggesting that the divine is all around us, and that we can connect with it in even the simplest of things.

Overall, "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" is a powerful poem that challenges our preconceived notions about religious worship. It celebrates individuality and personal expression, and it encourages us to find our own way of connecting with the divine.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" is a classic poem that explores the idea of worship and spirituality. The poem is a reflection on the author's personal beliefs and her unique approach to religion. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the central theme of religion. The author is acknowledging that many people choose to worship in a traditional way by attending church on Sundays. However, she goes on to say that she has a different approach to worship.

In the second stanza, the author reveals that she keeps the Sabbath by staying at home and "keeping house." This line suggests that the author finds spirituality in the everyday tasks of life. She does not need to attend church to feel connected to a higher power. Instead, she finds meaning in the simple acts of cooking, cleaning, and caring for her home.

The third stanza introduces the idea of nature as a source of spirituality. The author describes how she feels closer to God when she is surrounded by nature. She says that the "orchard for a dome" and the "bobolinks for a choir" are her church. This line suggests that the author finds spirituality in the beauty of the natural world.

The fourth stanza explores the idea of community and how it relates to spirituality. The author says that she feels connected to her neighbors and the world around her. She does not need to attend church to feel a sense of belonging. Instead, she finds community in the people and places around her.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle by returning to the idea of traditional worship. The author acknowledges that some people may find meaning in attending church, but she says that her approach to spirituality is just as valid. She ends the poem with the line, "So instead of getting to Heaven, at last, I'm going all along."

This line suggests that the author believes that her approach to spirituality is not just a means to an end (getting to heaven), but rather a way of life. She is not just going through the motions of worship, but rather living a spiritual life every day.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the use of imagery. The author uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sense of spirituality. For example, she describes the "orchard for a dome" and the "bobolinks for a choir." These images create a sense of beauty and wonder that is often associated with spirituality.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The author repeats the phrase "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of contrast between traditional worship and the author's unique approach to spirituality.

The poem also uses symbolism to convey its message. The author uses the image of a house to represent the idea of finding spirituality in everyday life. The house is a symbol of comfort and security, and the author finds meaning in the simple acts of caring for her home.

Overall, Emily Dickinson's "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" is a powerful reflection on spirituality and worship. The poem challenges traditional ideas of religion and offers a unique perspective on what it means to live a spiritual life. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, the author creates a sense of wonder and beauty that is often associated with spirituality. This poem is a timeless classic that continues to inspire readers to this day.

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