'So large my Will' by Emily Dickinson
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So large my Will
The little that I may
Embarrasses
Like gentle infamy—
Affront to Him
For whom the Whole were small
Affront to me
Who know His Meed of all.
Earth at the best
Is but a scanty Toy—
Bought, carried Home
To Immortality.
It looks so small
We chiefly wonder then
At our Conceit
In purchasing.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
So Large My Will by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "So Large My Will" is a testament to her incredible talent. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, language, and structure of the poem, as well as its historical context and significance.
Historical Context
Emily Dickinson lived in the mid-19th century, a time of great social and cultural change in America. In her lifetime, the country was torn apart by the Civil War, and the issue of slavery divided the nation. Women's rights were also a pressing concern, with suffrage activists fighting for the right to vote.
Dickinson herself was a reclusive figure, living much of her life in isolation and rarely leaving her home. Her poetry reflects this introspective nature, exploring themes of death, love, and spirituality.
Themes
"So Large My Will" is a poem that explores the theme of personal agency and the power of the human will. The speaker of the poem declares, "So large my will, the little that I saw / seemed less, / And the faint trickling of my thoughts / Were heard in more than silence."
Here, the speaker is asserting her own willpower, declaring that her determination is so strong that it dwarfs everything else around her. The use of the word "large" suggests that the speaker's will is immense and all-encompassing, while the phrase "the little that I saw" emphasizes the relative insignificance of the outside world.
The poem also touches on the theme of self-discovery, as the speaker declares, "And I forgot myself, / And all the world." Here, the speaker is suggesting that she has lost herself in the pursuit of her own will, abandoning all else to focus on her own desires.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of transcendence, as the speaker declares, "And I soared / Into the infinite, / The unfathomable." This suggests that the speaker's willpower has allowed her to transcend her earthly limitations and connect with something greater than herself.
Language and Structure
The language and structure of "So Large My Will" are both striking and effective. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. This allows the poem to flow naturally and gives the poet greater flexibility in expressing her ideas.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of vivid imagery and metaphor. For example, the speaker declares, "And the faint trickling of my thoughts / Were heard in more than silence." Here, the image of thoughts trickling like water suggests a sense of fluidity and movement, while the phrase "more than silence" suggests that the speaker's thoughts have a power beyond mere words.
The poem also uses the metaphor of flight to suggest the speaker's transcendence. The phrase "And I soared / Into the infinite" creates an image of the speaker lifting off the ground and ascending into the heavens, suggesting a sense of freedom and release.
Interpretation
Interpreting "So Large My Will" requires a careful consideration of its themes, language, and structure. At its heart, the poem is a celebration of personal agency and the power of the human will. It suggests that by asserting our own desires and goals, we can transcend the limitations of our earthly existence and connect with something greater than ourselves.
However, the poem also suggests that this pursuit of personal will can come at a cost. The speaker declares that she has "forgotten herself" and "all the world" in her pursuit of her own desires. This suggests that the pursuit of individualism can lead to isolation and detachment from the world around us.
Furthermore, the imagery of flight and transcendence suggests a sense of escape from the earthly realm. This suggests that the speaker may be seeking to transcend the limitations of her own mortality, rather than engaging fully with the world around her.
In this sense, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the human condition, and the tension between our desire for personal agency and our need for connection and engagement with the world around us.
Conclusion
"So Large My Will" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of personal agency, self-discovery, and transcendence. By using vivid imagery, metaphor, and free verse, Emily Dickinson creates a striking portrait of a speaker who is both empowered by her own will and isolated from the world around her.
Interpreting the poem requires a careful consideration of its themes and language, as well as an understanding of the historical context in which it was written. Ultimately, "So Large My Will" is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and a reminder of our need for both personal agency and connection with the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
So Large My Will: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her works. One of her most famous poems, "So large my Will," is a testament to her talent and creativity. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "So large my Will," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is asserting their willpower and determination, suggesting that they are capable of achieving great things. This line also hints at the theme of the poem, which is the power of the human will.
The second line, "The little that I saw / Departed, like a fly," is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. The speaker is acknowledging that they have only seen a small part of the world, and that even that small part is quickly disappearing. This line is significant because it highlights the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of the time we have.
The third line, "Buzzing, off to sea," continues the metaphor of the fly, suggesting that life is like a journey across the ocean. The use of the word "buzzing" also adds a sense of urgency to the poem, as if the speaker is aware that time is running out.
The fourth line, "Or to an ear, inebriate, / With sweet uncertainty," is a bit more abstract, but it adds depth to the poem. The phrase "sweet uncertainty" suggests that the speaker is not afraid of the unknown, but rather embraces it. This line also hints at the idea that life is full of surprises and that we should be open to new experiences.
The fifth line, "The lightest push of joy," is a contrast to the previous line, which was more abstract. This line is more concrete, suggesting that even the smallest moments of happiness can have a profound impact on our lives. The use of the word "push" also suggests that joy is something that we have to actively seek out and pursue.
The sixth line, "Or insult of despair," is a reminder that life is not always easy. The word "insult" suggests that despair can feel like a personal attack, and the use of the word "despair" suggests that the speaker has experienced deep sadness or hopelessness at some point in their life.
The seventh line, "Is flavor to the fate," is a bit more cryptic, but it adds to the overall theme of the poem. The word "flavor" suggests that the ups and downs of life add to its richness and complexity. The word "fate" suggests that the speaker believes in some sort of higher power or destiny.
The eighth line, "Had I the heart to choose," is a turning point in the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that they have the power to choose their own path in life, but they are not sure if they have the courage to do so. This line is significant because it highlights the importance of taking risks and following our hearts, even when it is scary.
The ninth line, "I would inhale desire," is a continuation of the previous line. The word "inhale" suggests that desire is something that we can actively seek out and pursue. This line also suggests that the speaker is not afraid to want things, even if they seem impossible.
The tenth line, "Exhale my fear," is a powerful statement of courage and determination. The word "exhale" suggests that the speaker is actively releasing their fear and letting it go. This line is significant because it suggests that fear is something that we can overcome with effort and determination.
The eleventh line, "Within the ample nation / Of my unconscious mind," is a bit more abstract, but it adds depth to the poem. The phrase "ample nation" suggests that the speaker's mind is vast and full of potential. The use of the word "unconscious" suggests that there is a part of the speaker's mind that they are not fully aware of, but that holds great power.
The twelfth line, "I'd rescue every aspiration," is a continuation of the theme of courage and determination. The word "rescue" suggests that the speaker is willing to fight for their dreams and aspirations, even if it is difficult. This line is significant because it suggests that our dreams and aspirations are worth fighting for, even if it requires sacrifice.
The thirteenth line, "From the shelf / Like dull spices, / Flavorless, to me," is a metaphor for the idea that our dreams and aspirations can become stale if we do not actively pursue them. The use of the word "shelf" suggests that our dreams and aspirations can become stagnant if we do not take them down and actively work towards them.
The fourteenth line, "My soul, like a bee," is a continuation of the metaphor of the fly and the bee. The word "soul" suggests that the speaker is referring to something deeper and more profound than just their physical body. The use of the word "bee" suggests that the speaker is actively seeking out the sweetness of life, even if it requires effort.
The fifteenth line, "Would miss its onward march," is a reminder that life is constantly moving forward, and that we must keep up if we want to make the most of it. The use of the word "onward" suggests that the speaker believes in progress and growth, and that they are willing to work towards it.
The final line, "Had I the heart to choose," is a repetition of the eighth line, but it takes on a different meaning in the context of the entire poem. The repetition suggests that the speaker is still struggling with the idea of taking risks and following their heart, but that they are willing to keep trying.
In conclusion, "So large my Will" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of the human will and the importance of taking risks and following our hearts. Through the use of metaphors and abstract language, Emily Dickinson captures the essence of life and reminds us that even the smallest moments of joy can have a profound impact on our lives. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's talent and creativity, and it continues to inspire readers to this day.
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