'Size circumscribes—it has no room' by Emily Dickinson

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Size circumscribes—it has no room
For petty furniture—
The Giant tolerates no Gnat
For Ease of Gianture—

Repudiates it, all the more—
Because intrinsic size
Ignores the possibility
Of Calumnies—or Flies.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Size Circumscribes—It Has No Room: A Critical Interpretation

Size circumscribes—it has no room— For aught but passage— The smallest door is termed a room, The door itself a "face"—

This short yet powerful poem, written by Emily Dickinson, encapsulates the idea that size does not necessarily equate to importance or significance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of each line of the poem, and explore the themes and literary devices used by Dickinson.

Line 1: Size circumscribes—it has no room—

The first line of the poem is a statement of fact – size does indeed circumscribe, or limit, the amount of space available. However, Dickinson is not referring to physical space alone. The use of the word "room" in this context suggests that she is also referring to the limits that we place on our own thoughts and ideas, based on our perception of what is possible or acceptable.

Line 2: For aught but passage—

The phrase "for aught but passage" suggests that anything beyond mere passage is impossible within the confines of limited space. This is a metaphor for the restrictions we place on our own creativity and imagination, based on our perception of what is practical or realistic.

Line 3: The smallest door is termed a room,

This line is a continuation of the metaphor used in the previous lines. The word "smallest" implies that even the tiniest opening can be considered a "room" if it allows for passage. This suggests that even the smallest ideas or thoughts can be significant and impactful, if given the chance to grow and develop.

Line 4: The door itself a "face"—

This line is particularly significant, as it suggests that doors can have personalities or identities of their own. The word "face" implies that a door can have an expression or emotion, and can convey meaning beyond its physical function. This is a metaphor for the human tendency to assign meaning or significance to objects and ideas beyond their practical function.

Literary Devices Used

Dickinson uses a number of literary devices in this poem to convey her message. These include:

• Metaphor: The entire poem is a metaphor for the limitations that we place on our own creativity and imagination.
• Personification: The use of the word "face" to describe a door is an example of personification, which is used to convey the idea that objects can have their own personalities or identities.
• Hyperbole: The use of hyperbole – exaggeration for effect – is seen in the line "The smallest door is termed a room," which suggests that even the tiniest ideas can have significant impact.
• Alliteration: The repetition of the "s" sound in "Size circumscribes" is an example of alliteration, which is used to create a musical effect and draw attention to the key message of the poem.

Themes Explored

The poem explores a number of key themes, including:

• Creativity and Imagination: The poem suggests that our creativity and imagination are limited by our perception of what is possible or acceptable.
• Significance and Impact: The use of metaphor and hyperbole suggests that even the smallest ideas or thoughts can be significant and impactful, if given the chance to grow and develop.
• Perception and Reality: The poem suggests that our perception of what is practical or realistic can limit our ability to see the true potential of our ideas and thoughts.

The Significance of the Title

The title of the poem, "Size circumscribes—it has no room," is significant in that it encapsulates the key message of the poem in a succinct and powerful manner. The use of the word "circumscribes" implies that size is a limiting factor, while the phrase "it has no room" suggests that anything beyond mere passage is impossible within the confines of limited space.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Size circumscribes—it has no room" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the limitations we place on our own creativity and imagination, and the significance of even the smallest ideas and thoughts. Through her use of metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and alliteration, Dickinson conveys a message that is both timeless and relevant – that our perception of what is possible or acceptable can limit our ability to see the true potential of our ideas and thoughts.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Size Circumscribes - It Has No Room: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep philosophical themes. One of her most famous poems is "Size circumscribes - it has no room," which explores the limitations of physical space and the boundless nature of the human mind. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

The poem "Size circumscribes - it has no room" consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with dashes used to create pauses and emphasize certain words. The poem's title is also its first line, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The title suggests that the poem will explore the concept of size and its limitations.

The first stanza of the poem reads:

Size circumscribes - it has no room For petty furniture The Giant tolerates no room For lack of suffocation

The first line of the poem repeats the title, emphasizing the importance of the concept of size. The second line suggests that small things or "petty furniture" have no place in a world governed by size. The third line introduces the concept of a giant, who is so large that he cannot tolerate small spaces. The fourth line suggests that the giant's size is so great that he needs a large space to breathe and avoid suffocation.

The second stanza of the poem reads:

The smallest housewife in the grass Yet take her from the lawn And somebody has lost the face Of immortality

The second stanza introduces a contrast to the first stanza. Instead of focusing on the limitations of size, the second stanza explores the boundless nature of the human mind. The first line describes a small housewife in the grass, suggesting that even the smallest things can have great significance. The second line suggests that removing the housewife from her environment would cause her to lose her significance. The third line suggests that the housewife's significance is tied to the concept of immortality, which suggests that even the smallest things can have a lasting impact.

The poem's central theme is the contrast between the limitations of physical space and the boundless nature of the human mind. The first stanza explores the limitations of physical space, suggesting that size is a limiting factor that prevents small things from having significance. The second stanza explores the boundless nature of the human mind, suggesting that even the smallest things can have great significance if viewed in the right context.

The poem also uses several literary devices to convey its themes. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the title in the first line, emphasizes the importance of the concept of size. The use of dashes creates pauses and emphasizes certain words, such as "petty furniture" and "immortality." The use of contrast, such as the contrast between the limitations of physical space and the boundless nature of the human mind, creates a sense of tension and highlights the poem's central theme.

In conclusion, "Size circumscribes - it has no room" is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that explores the limitations of physical space and the boundless nature of the human mind. The poem's two stanzas contrast the limitations of size with the boundless nature of the human mind, suggesting that even the smallest things can have great significance if viewed in the right context. The poem's use of repetition, dashes, and contrast creates a sense of tension and emphasizes its central theme. Overall, "Size circumscribes - it has no room" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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