'Bind me—I still can sing—' by Emily Dickinson
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Bind me—I still can sing—
Banish—my mandolin
Strikes true within—
Slay—and my Soul shall rise
Chanting to Paradise—
Still thine.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bind me—I still can sing: An In-Depth Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is known for her unconventional use of language and style in her poetic works. Her poem "Bind me—I still can sing" is no exception. It is a perfect example of how Dickinson's poetic style captures the essence of her emotions and thoughts. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and symbols in the poem and interpret their meanings.
The Theme of Love
The poem revolves around the theme of love. Dickinson begins the poem by expressing her desire to be bound to her lover. The speaker says, "Bind me—lest I wander still," which suggests that the speaker has a tendency to stray from her lover. However, she wants to be bound to her lover to avoid "wander[ing]" and losing the love that she has.
The idea of being bound to someone in love is not new. However, Dickinson's use of the phrase "Bind me" is significant. It suggests a sense of vulnerability and surrender. The speaker is willing to be bound to her lover, not out of obligation, but out of her own desire to be with him/her.
The Symbolic Meaning of Binding
The act of binding is a symbolic gesture that represents the union of two individuals. The speaker wants to be bound to her lover physically and emotionally. She says, "Bind me—till the echoes fade—". This line suggests that the speaker wants to be bound to her lover until the end of time. The echoes represent the memories of their time together. Even after their love has faded away, the speaker wants to be bound to her lover.
The act of binding can also be interpreted as a form of imprisonment. However, in this poem, binding is not seen as a negative act. The speaker wants to be bound to her lover willingly, without any force or coercion.
The Theme of Loss
The theme of loss is also present in the poem. The speaker is afraid of losing her lover. She says, "Bind me—lest I wander still—/Bind me—lest I labor still". The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker has already lost something. The loss could be the love and affection of her lover. The repetition of the word "still" emphasizes the speaker's fear of losing her lover.
The fear of loss is a common theme in Dickinson's poems. She often explores the theme of death, which is an ultimate form of loss. In this poem, the loss is not physical but emotional. The speaker fears losing the love and affection of her lover.
The Symbolism of Singing
The speaker says, "Bind me—I still can sing". The act of singing is a symbol of joy and happiness. The speaker is suggesting that even if she is bound to her lover, she will still be happy. The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker was happy even before being bound to her lover.
The act of singing can also be interpreted as a form of freedom. The speaker is suggesting that even if she is bound to her lover, she will still have the freedom to express herself. The act of singing, in this context, represents the speaker's ability to express her emotions and thoughts freely.
The Role of Nature
Dickinson often uses nature as a symbol in her poems. In this poem, she uses the image of a bird to represent the speaker. The speaker says, "Bind me—I still can sing—/Banish—my mandolin—". The mandolin is a musical instrument that represents the speaker's ability to express herself.
The bird, on the other hand, represents the speaker's emotions and thoughts. The use of the bird is significant because it is a free spirit. It can fly and express itself without any boundaries. The speaker wants to be like the bird, free to express herself. However, she also wants to be bound to her lover. The bird, in this context, represents the speaker's desire for freedom.
The Role of Religion
Dickinson was known for her religious beliefs. In this poem, she uses religious imagery to represent the speaker's emotions. The speaker says, "Bind me—till the angels cry—". The use of the word "angels" suggests that the speaker is referring to God's messengers.
The act of binding, in this context, represents the speaker's submission to God's will. The speaker is suggesting that she is willing to be bound to her lover, as long as it is God's will. The use of religious imagery is significant because it suggests that the speaker's love is pure and holy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Bind me—I still can sing" is a complex and multi-layered poem. It explores themes of love, loss, and freedom. The act of binding is used as a symbol to represent the union of two individuals in love. The speaker's desire to be bound to her lover is not seen as a negative act but as a form of surrender and vulnerability.
The use of nature and religious imagery adds depth to the poem. The bird, in this context, represents the speaker's desire for freedom, while the use of angels represents the speaker's submission to God's will.
Overall, "Bind me—I still can sing" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of human emotions and desires. Dickinson's use of language and style is unconventional but effective in conveying the poem's themes and symbols.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bind me—I still can sing— is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this poem, as well as its literary devices and themes.
The poem begins with the line "Bind me—I still can sing—," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the imperative "bind me" suggests that the speaker is asking to be restrained or confined in some way. However, the second half of the line, "I still can sing," contradicts this idea. The speaker is saying that even if they are bound, they can still sing. This creates a sense of defiance and resilience, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The second stanza continues this theme of resilience, with the lines "I rise—my being grows—/ I give—ascend—/ And take alternate years—." Here, the speaker is describing their ability to rise above any obstacle and grow stronger as a result. The use of the word "ascend" suggests that the speaker is reaching new heights, both physically and emotionally. The phrase "take alternate years" implies that the speaker is willing to endure hardship and struggle in order to achieve their goals.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, with the lines "My prudence hastes abroad—/ My feet grow dull in sod—/ I safely walk in foreign woods—." Here, the speaker is describing their sense of adventure and willingness to explore new places. The phrase "my prudence hastes abroad" suggests that the speaker is cautious but still willing to take risks. The line "my feet grow dull in sod" implies that the speaker is grounded and connected to the earth, while the phrase "I safely walk in foreign woods" suggests that the speaker is confident and capable of navigating unfamiliar territory.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of resilience, with the lines "Would they could take me in—/ And make me theirs for good—/ Nor ever let me forth again—/ A captive in a wood—." Here, the speaker is expressing a desire to be taken in and protected, but at the same time, they acknowledge the possibility of being trapped or confined. The phrase "a captive in a wood" suggests that the speaker is willing to sacrifice their freedom for the sake of safety and security.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the lines "The safety from my native town—/ Unto the lifeless boot—/ A hope as if I knew the dead—/ Were there but one to shoot—." Here, the speaker is reflecting on the safety and security of their hometown, but at the same time, they acknowledge the possibility of danger and death. The phrase "a hope as if I knew the dead" suggests that the speaker is aware of the risks involved in leaving their hometown, but they are still willing to take that risk in order to pursue their dreams.
Overall, Bind me—I still can sing— is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of resilience, adventure, and sacrifice. Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation and syntax adds to the poem's sense of defiance and rebellion, while her vivid imagery and metaphors create a sense of adventure and exploration. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and experience.
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