'What we see we know somewhat' by Emily Dickinson
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What we see we know somewhat
Be it but a little—
What we don't surmise we do
Though it shows so fickle
I shall vote for Lands with Locks
Granted I can pick 'em—
Transport's doubtful Dividend
Patented by Adam.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"What we see we know somewhat" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is a legendary poet, known for her innovative use of language and form in her works. She wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime, most of which were discovered after her death. "What we see we know somewhat" is one of her most famous poems, and it is a perfect example of her unique style and vision. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem.
Overview of the Poem
"What we see we know somewhat" is a short poem with only four lines. Despite its brevity, however, it manages to convey a lot of meaning and depth. The poem begins with the line "What we see we know somewhat," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that there is a limit to our understanding of the world around us, that what we see is only a partial truth. The second line, "What we don't see we speculate," reinforces this idea, indicating that there is much that we don't know and can only guess at. The third line, "We do not know much," is a direct admission of our ignorance and limitations as human beings. Finally, the poem ends with the line "But we know enough to go on," which suggests that despite our limitations, we are able to keep moving forward and make the best of what we do know.
Themes
The central theme of "What we see we know somewhat" is the idea of perception and knowledge. The poem suggests that our understanding of the world is limited by what we can see and experience directly. There are many things that we cannot see or comprehend, and this ignorance can lead to speculation and uncertainty. Despite this, however, the poem also suggests that we are able to make do with what we know, that we are able to keep moving forward despite our limitations.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of uncertainty and doubt. The poem acknowledges that there is much that we don't know and cannot comprehend, and that this can lead to uncertainty and speculation. The poem encourages us to embrace this uncertainty and to keep moving forward despite it.
Finally, the poem also touches on the idea of perseverance and resilience. Despite the limitations of our understanding, we are able to keep moving forward and making the best of what we do know. The poem suggests that this ability to persevere in the face of uncertainty and doubt is a key part of what makes us human.
Imagery
The imagery in "What we see we know somewhat" is sparse but effective. The poem is primarily concerned with the idea of perception and knowledge, and the imagery reinforces this theme. The first line suggests that what we see is only a partial truth, that there is more to the world than what we can perceive directly. The second line reinforces this idea, suggesting that there is much that we cannot see or comprehend. The third line acknowledges our limitations as human beings, that we do not know much. Finally, the last line suggests that despite our limitations, we are able to keep moving forward and making the best of what we do know.
Language
The language of "What we see we know somewhat" is simple but effective. The poem is composed of short, declarative sentences that convey a sense of certainty and confidence. The language is also concise and to the point, contributing to the poem's overall sense of brevity and simplicity.
One of the most interesting aspects of the language of the poem is its use of repetition. The repetition of the phrase "we know" in the first and third lines, for example, reinforces the idea that our knowledge is limited and partial. The repetition of the phrase "we do not know much" in the third line reinforces this idea even further, emphasizing our ignorance and limitations. Finally, the repetition of the word "enough" in the last line suggests that despite our limitations, we are able to make do with what we do know.
Interpretation
"What we see we know somewhat" is a poem that speaks to our limitations as human beings. It suggests that our understanding of the world is limited by what we can see and experience directly, and that there is much that we cannot comprehend. Despite this, however, the poem also suggests that we are able to make do with what we do know, that we are able to keep moving forward despite our limitations.
One interpretation of the poem is that it speaks to the idea of scientific inquiry. Science is an attempt to understand the world around us, but it is limited by what we can observe and measure directly. There are many things that we cannot see or comprehend, and this can lead to uncertainty and speculation. Despite this, however, science is able to make progress by building on what we do know and by constantly seeking to expand our understanding.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it speaks to the idea of faith. Faith is an attempt to understand the world beyond what we can see and comprehend directly. There are many things that we cannot know or understand through reason alone, and faith allows us to make sense of these mysteries. Despite our limitations, faith allows us to keep moving forward and to find meaning and purpose in the world.
Finally, the poem can also be interpreted as a statement on the human condition. As human beings, we are limited by our perceptions and our ability to understand the world around us. Despite this, however, we are able to make do with what we do know and to keep moving forward. This ability to persevere in the face of uncertainty and doubt is a key part of what makes us human.
Conclusion
"What we see we know somewhat" is a powerful poem that speaks to our limitations as human beings. It acknowledges that our understanding of the world is limited and partial, and that there is much that we cannot comprehend. Despite this, however, the poem also suggests that we are able to make do with what we do know, that we are able to keep moving forward and making the best of what we have. Whether interpreted in the context of science, faith, or the human condition, the poem offers a powerful message of resilience and perseverance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What We See We Know Somewhat: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers even today. Among her many famous poems is "What We See We Know Somewhat," a short but powerful piece that explores the nature of perception and knowledge. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.
First, let's read the poem in its entirety:
What we see we know somewhat, But what we shut we do not know. Open always, gates of thought, Sheaves of meaning, harvests grow.
The first thing that strikes us about this poem is its brevity. With just four lines, Dickinson manages to convey a profound message about the limits of human knowledge. The poem is structured in two couplets, with each line containing just six syllables. This creates a sense of rhythm and balance that adds to the poem's overall impact.
The poem's opening line, "What we see we know somewhat," sets the stage for the rest of the piece. It suggests that our perception of the world around us is limited, and that we can only know a small part of what we see. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of the unknowable and the mysterious.
The second line, "But what we shut we do not know," reinforces this idea. It suggests that when we close ourselves off from the world, we limit our ability to understand it. This could refer to both physical barriers, such as closed doors or windows, as well as mental barriers, such as preconceptions or biases.
The third line, "Open always, gates of thought," offers a solution to this problem. It suggests that we should keep our minds open and receptive to new ideas and experiences. The metaphor of "gates of thought" implies that our minds are like gates that can be opened or closed, depending on our willingness to explore new ideas.
The final line, "Sheaves of meaning, harvests grow," reinforces the idea that knowledge is something that can be cultivated and harvested. The metaphor of "sheaves of meaning" suggests that knowledge is something that can be gathered and stored, like a harvest. This implies that the more we open ourselves up to new experiences and ideas, the more knowledge we can gain.
Overall, "What We See We Know Somewhat" is a powerful meditation on the limits of human knowledge and the importance of keeping an open mind. Dickinson's use of metaphor and concise language creates a sense of depth and complexity that belies the poem's brevity.
One interesting aspect of this poem is its use of capitalization. Dickinson often capitalized words in her poetry for emphasis, and this poem is no exception. The words "Open" and "Sheaves" are both capitalized, which draws attention to them and reinforces their importance. The capitalization of "Open" suggests that this is a key concept in the poem, while the capitalization of "Sheaves" emphasizes the idea of knowledge as something that can be gathered and stored.
Another interesting aspect of this poem is its use of imagery. The metaphor of "gates of thought" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that our minds are like gates that can be opened or closed. This creates a sense of agency and responsibility, as it implies that we have control over our own minds and can choose to open or close them as we see fit.
The metaphor of "sheaves of meaning" is also interesting, as it suggests that knowledge is something that can be harvested and stored. This creates a sense of abundance and richness, as it implies that there is always more knowledge to be gained. The use of agricultural imagery also reinforces the idea that knowledge is something that can be cultivated and grown over time.
In conclusion, "What We See We Know Somewhat" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the limits of human knowledge and the importance of keeping an open mind. Dickinson's use of metaphor, concise language, and imagery creates a sense of depth and complexity that belies the poem's brevity. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and elegant way.
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