'Who were "the Father and the Son"' by Emily Dickinson
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Who were "the Father and the Son"
We pondered when a child,
And what had they to do with us
And when portentous told
With inference appalling
By Childhood fortified
We thought, at least they are no worse
Than they have been described.
Who are "the Father and the Son"
Did we demand Today
"The Father and the Son" himself
Would doubtless specify—
But had they the felicity
When we desired to know.
We better Friends had been, perhaps,
Than time ensue to be—
We start—to learn that we believe
But once—entirely—
Belief, it does not fit so well
When altered frequently—
We blush, that Heaven if we achieve—
Event ineffable—
We shall have shunned until ashamed
To own the Miracle—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Who were "the Father and the Son" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated American poets of all time. Her poems have been subjects of literary analyses, and her works have been interpreted and reinterpreted in various ways. One of her most mysterious and enigmatic poems is "Who were 'the Father and the Son'," a poem that has been the subject of much debate and interpretation.
At first glance, "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" seems like a straightforward poem, with its short and simple lines. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals a deeper meaning that is open to interpretation. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various interpretations of this poem and analyze its literary elements.
The Poem
Here is the poem in its entirety:
Who were "the Father and the Son"
We pondered when a child,
And what had they to do with us
And when portentous told
With inference appalling
By Childhood fortified
We thought, at least they are no worse
Than they have been described.
Interpretation
The poem starts with a question, "Who were 'the Father and the Son'?" This question is a reference to the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which posits that God is composed of three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The poem suggests that the speaker, when she was a child, was taught about the Trinity, but did not fully understand it. This uncertainty is reflected in the poem's second line, "We pondered when a child."
The third line, "And what had they to do with us," suggests that the speaker is questioning the relevance of the Trinity to her own life. This line is followed by the fourth line, "And when portentous told," which implies that the speaker was taught about the Trinity in a way that made it seem ominous or threatening.
The fifth and sixth lines, "With inference appalling / By Childhood fortified," suggest that the speaker was fortified by her childhood experiences, but that these experiences were not necessarily positive ones. The use of the word "appalling" implies that the speaker was frightened or overwhelmed by the teaching she received about the Trinity.
The last two lines, "We thought, at least they are no worse / Than they have been described," suggest that the speaker has come to accept the Trinity, but only because it is no worse than what she was taught about it. This line could also be interpreted as a criticism of the negative way in which the speaker was taught about the Trinity.
Literary Elements
Theme
The theme of "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" is the search for meaning and understanding in a complex world. The speaker is questioning the relevance of the Trinity to her own life, and struggling to understand the doctrine in a way that makes sense to her. This theme is a common one in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the complexities of the human experience.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is relatively simple, with no elaborate metaphors or similes. The poem is composed of short, simple lines that are easy to understand. However, the use of the word "appalling" in line five suggests that the speaker was frightened or overwhelmed by the teaching she received about the Trinity, and this word creates a vivid image of the speaker's childhood experience.
Symbolism
The symbol in "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" is the Trinity itself. The Trinity is a complex doctrine that is difficult to understand, and the speaker's struggle to understand it represents the human struggle to understand the divine. The Trinity is also a symbol of the speaker's religious upbringing, and her questioning of it represents a questioning of her own faith and belief system.
Tone
The tone of the poem is contemplative, as the speaker is pondering a complex question. However, there is also an undercurrent of uncertainty and fear in the poem, as the speaker was taught about the Trinity in a way that made it seem ominous or threatening.
Interpretations
There are many ways to interpret "Who were 'the Father and the Son'," and different readers may draw different conclusions about the poem's meaning. Here are three potential interpretations of the poem:
1. The speaker is questioning the relevance of religion to her own life.
The poem can be interpreted as a critique of organized religion, and the way in which it is taught to children. The speaker is questioning the relevance of the Trinity to her own life, and the negative way in which it was taught to her has left her feeling uncertain and fearful. This interpretation suggests that the speaker is searching for a more personal and meaningful spiritual experience.
2. The speaker is struggling to understand the divine.
Another interpretation of the poem is that the speaker is struggling to understand the divine, and the Trinity is a symbol of the complex nature of God. The speaker's childhood experiences have left her feeling uncertain and fearful, but she has come to accept the Trinity as a representation of the divine. This interpretation suggests that the speaker is on a journey of spiritual discovery, and is open to exploring different ways of understanding the divine.
3. The speaker is coming to terms with her own mortality.
A third interpretation of the poem is that the speaker is coming to terms with her own mortality, and the Trinity is a symbol of the afterlife. The speaker's childhood experiences with the Trinity have left her feeling uncertain and fearful about what comes after death, but she has come to accept the doctrine as a way of understanding the afterlife. This interpretation suggests that the speaker is grappling with the existential questions of life and death, and is seeking a sense of comfort and understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" is a complex and enigmatic poem that is open to interpretation. The poem raises questions about organized religion, the nature of the divine, and the human struggle to understand complex concepts. The poem's simple language and vivid imagery create a powerful emotional impact, and the poem's themes of uncertainty and fear are relevant to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Ultimately, the poem encourages readers to question and explore their own beliefs, and to seek deeper meaning and understanding in a complex world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Who were "the Father and the Son"? A question that has puzzled many readers of Emily Dickinson's poetry. This classic poem, written in the 19th century, is a masterpiece of ambiguity and complexity. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this enigmatic poem.
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
Who were "the Father and the Son" We pondered when a child, And what had they to do with us And when portentous told With inference appalling By Childhood fortified We thought, at least they are no worse Than they have been described.
This poem is a reflection on the speaker's childhood curiosity about the religious concepts of "the Father and the Son." The speaker recalls the fear and confusion that these concepts caused in their young mind. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.
The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. The speaker recalls their childhood curiosity about "the Father and the Son." This curiosity is a common experience for many children raised in religious households. The speaker's use of the word "pondered" suggests a deep and thoughtful reflection on these concepts.
In the second stanza, the speaker questions the relevance of these concepts to their own life. They ask, "what had they to do with us?" This question is a common one for children raised in religious households. They may struggle to understand how these abstract concepts relate to their own experiences.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker recalls the fear and confusion that these concepts caused in their young mind. The phrase "portentous told" suggests that these concepts were presented to the speaker in a way that was ominous and foreboding. The speaker's use of the word "appalling" suggests that these concepts were terrifying to them.
In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on their childhood fears and concludes that "they are no worse than they have been described." This line is a powerful statement about the power of language and storytelling. The speaker suggests that the fear and confusion they experienced as a child were a result of the way these concepts were presented to them. By acknowledging that these concepts are no worse than they have been described, the speaker is able to move past their childhood fears and find a sense of peace.
So, what is the significance of this poem? At its core, "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" is a reflection on the power of language and storytelling. The speaker's childhood fears were a result of the way these concepts were presented to them. The poem suggests that the way we talk about abstract concepts like religion can have a profound impact on how they are perceived.
Furthermore, the poem is a reflection on the human experience of fear and confusion. The speaker's childhood curiosity about "the Father and the Son" is a common experience for many children raised in religious households. The poem speaks to the universal experience of grappling with abstract concepts and trying to make sense of them.
Finally, the poem is a testament to the power of reflection and self-awareness. By reflecting on their childhood fears, the speaker is able to move past them and find a sense of peace. This is a powerful message for anyone who has experienced fear or confusion in their life.
In conclusion, "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" is a masterpiece of ambiguity and complexity. The poem speaks to the universal experience of grappling with abstract concepts and trying to make sense of them. It is a reflection on the power of language and storytelling, and a testament to the power of reflection and self-awareness. Emily Dickinson's poetry continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day, and "Who were 'the Father and the Son'" is no exception.
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