'I like to see it lap the Miles' by Emily Dickinson
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I like to see it lap the Miles-
And lick the Valleys up-
And stop to feed itself at Tanks-
And then-prodigious stepAround a Pile of Mountains-
And supercilious peer
In Shanties-by the sides of Roads-
And then a Quarry pareTo fit its Ribs
And crawl between
Complaining all the while
In horrid-hooting stanza-
Then chase itself down Hill-And neigh like Boanerges-
Then-punctual as a Star
Stop-docile and omnipotent
At its own stable door-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I like to see it lap the Miles" by Emily Dickinson: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you never cease to amaze me with your unconventional and distinctive style! "I like to see it lap the Miles" is one of your most remarkable poems, a masterpiece that showcases your unique voice and your ability to challenge traditional poetic forms.
Background Information
For those who are not familiar with the poem, "I like to see it lap the Miles" was written by Emily Dickinson, an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. Dickinson was known for her reclusive lifestyle and her unconventional poetry, which was often characterized by its sparse language, unconventional use of punctuation, and elliptical style.
"I like to see it lap the Miles" was written around 1862, and it is believed to have been inspired by the opening of the Boston and Worcester Railroad in Massachusetts, which Dickinson was known to have witnessed. The poem is composed of six quatrains, and it features a train as the central image.
Summary
At first glance, "I like to see it lap the Miles" might seem like a simple poem about a train, but upon closer inspection, it reveals layers of meaning and depth. The poem starts with the line "I like to see it lap the Miles," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker expresses a fascination with the train's ability to cover long distances effortlessly and quickly, and this fascination is reinforced throughout the poem.
The train is described as an animal-like creature that "comes on steaming - / Nor ever stops -", which gives it a sense of power and momentum. The train's movement is contrasted with the "frost" and the "moss" that are described as "neither halt nor hurry," emphasizing the train's speed and efficiency.
As the poem progresses, the train is personified even more, described as "a horrid Creature" that "has a horn" and "undulating Steel." The train's motion is depicted as a form of devouring, with it "devour[ing] the distance" and "devour[ing] the landscape." This imagery is unsettling and gives the train a menacing quality.
The final stanza of the poem takes a turn, with the speaker stating that they would prefer to be inside the train, rather than watching it from the outside. The line "And then it comes again" suggests a cyclical nature to the train's journey, and the poem ends with the speaker longing to be a part of the train's endless motion.
Literary Analysis
"I like to see it lap the Miles" is a complex and layered poem that can be analyzed from various angles. One of the most significant aspects of the poem is its use of imagery, particularly the personification of the train. By portraying the train as a "horrid Creature" with a "Devilish look," Dickinson creates a sense of unease and emphasizes the train's power and danger.
The train's movement is also described in animalistic terms, with it "devouring" the landscape and "lapping" the miles. This imagery reinforces the train's relentless motion and emphasizes its predatory nature. Furthermore, the train is also described as having "undulating Steel," which emphasizes its mechanical nature and contrasts with the natural world around it.
Another crucial aspect of the poem is its use of structure and form. The poem is composed of six quatrains, each with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCB. This structure creates a sense of order and stability, which contrasts with the chaotic motion of the train. Additionally, the poem's stanzas are relatively short, which emphasizes the poem's elliptical style and reinforces the sense of movement and momentum.
Finally, Dickinson's use of language is also significant in "I like to see it lap the Miles." The poem's sparse language and unconventional use of punctuation contribute to its distinctive style. Additionally, the poem's repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "lap" and "Devilish," creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the poem's themes.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? Like most of Dickinson's poetry, "I like to see it lap the Miles" is open to interpretation and can be read in various ways. One interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the Industrial Revolution and its effects on nature. The train, with its mechanical and predatory nature, is seen as a symbol of the destructive power of industrialization, which is portrayed as devouring the natural world around it.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a metaphor for the human experience. The train's relentless motion and cyclical nature can be seen as a reflection of the human condition, with its endless cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. Moreover, the poem's final stanza, in which the speaker expresses a desire to be a part of the train's motion, can be read as a yearning for transcendence and a desire to escape the limitations of human existence.
Ultimately, the beauty of "I like to see it lap the Miles" lies in its ambiguity and its ability to evoke multiple interpretations. Whether we read it as a commentary on industrialization or a metaphor for the human experience, the poem remains a powerful and evocative work of art.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "I like to see it lap the Miles" is a remarkable poem that showcases her unique voice and her ability to challenge traditional forms. Through its use of imagery, structure, and language, the poem creates a sense of movement and momentum while evoking multiple interpretations. Whether we read it as a commentary on industrialization or a metaphor for the human experience, the poem remains a powerful and evocative work of art that continues to captivate readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry I like to see it lap the Miles: An Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing. Her poems are often characterized by their brevity, unconventional punctuation, and use of metaphors. One of her most famous poems, "I like to see it lap the Miles," is a perfect example of her style.
The poem is a short, six-stanza piece that describes a train as it travels through the countryside. The train is personified as a living creature, with its "iron horse" and "breathless speed." The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors, which help to create a sense of movement and energy.
The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The train is described as a "creature" that "laps" the miles as it travels through the countryside. The use of the word "laps" is interesting, as it suggests that the train is almost like an animal, drinking up the miles as it goes. The train is also described as having an "iron horse," which is a metaphor for the engine that powers it.
The second stanza continues the theme of movement and energy. The train is described as having a "breathless speed," which suggests that it is moving so fast that it is almost out of breath. The use of the word "breathless" is also interesting, as it suggests that the train is alive and has a personality of its own.
The third stanza introduces the idea of the train as a "competitor." The train is described as "beating" the "horses" that are also traveling through the countryside. This is a metaphor for the competition between different modes of transportation. The train is faster and more efficient than the horses, and so it is able to "beat" them in the race.
The fourth stanza continues the theme of competition, but this time it is between the train and the "hills." The train is described as "hearing" the hills "groan," as if they are struggling to keep up with the train. This is another example of personification, as the hills are given human-like qualities.
The fifth stanza introduces the idea of the train as a "conqueror." The train is described as "pausing" at a station, as if it has conquered the miles that it has traveled. The use of the word "conqueror" is interesting, as it suggests that the train is almost like a warrior, conquering the land as it goes.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close. The train is described as "drinking" from a "flask," which is a metaphor for the fuel that powers it. The train is also described as having a "desire" for more fuel, which suggests that it is always hungry for more power and energy.
Overall, "I like to see it lap the Miles" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the energy and movement of a train as it travels through the countryside. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors helps to create a sense of excitement and energy, and the personification of the train gives it a personality of its own. Emily Dickinson was a master of her craft, and this poem is a perfect example of her unique style and talent.
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