'I am ashamed—I hide' by Emily Dickinson

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I am ashamed—I hide—
What right have I—to be a Bride—
So late a Dowerless Girl—
Nowhere to hide my dazzled Face—
No one to teach me that new Grace—
Nor introduce—my Soul—

Me to adorn—How—tell—
Trinket—to make Me beautiful—
Fabrics of Cashmere—
Never a Gown of Dun—more—
Raiment instead—of Pompadour—
For Me—My soul—to wear—

Fingers—to frame my Round Hair
Oval—as Feudal Ladies wore—
Far Fashions—Fair—
Skill to hold my Brow like an Earl—
Plead—like a Whippoorwill—
Prove—like a Pearl—
Then, for Character—
Fashion My Spirit quaint—white—
Quick—like a Liquor—
Gay—like Light—
Bring Me my best Pride—
No more ashamed—
No more to hide—
Meek—let it be—too proud—for Pride—
Baptized—this Day—a Bride—

Editor 1 Interpretation

I am ashamed—I hide: Dickinson's Poignant Expression of Shame

Emily Dickinson has been regarded as a poet whose works express themes of death, religion, and the natural world. However, one of her lesser-known works, "I am ashamed—I hide," presents a unique perspective on the theme of shame. In this poem, Dickinson explores the emotional turmoil of a person who is ashamed and attempts to hide their shame from others. This literary criticism will examine the poem's themes, literary devices, and the poet's unique style.

Themes

At its core, "I am ashamed—I hide" is a poem about shame. The speaker of the poem is consumed by feelings of shame and attempts to hide their shame from others. The poem begins with the line "I am ashamed—I hide," immediately establishing the central theme. Throughout the poem, the speaker describes the physical and emotional toll that shame has on them.

The poem also touches on the theme of identity. The speaker is so consumed by their shame that they feel as though they are no longer themselves. They describe feeling "like Somebody else / Were offering me my own." This line highlights the disconnect between the person the speaker is and the person they feel they have become because of their shame.

Additionally, the poem explores the theme of isolation. The speaker feels as though they cannot share their shame with anyone else, which puts them in a state of isolation. They describe their shame as a "Burden borne away," suggesting that they are carrying it alone. The last line, "Nor anybody knows," further emphasizes the speaker's isolation.

Literary Devices

Dickinson uses several literary devices to convey the themes of shame, identity, and isolation. One of the most notable devices used in the poem is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid images that help to create a sense of the speaker's emotional state. For example, the line "Myself behind my freckles," creates a clear image of the speaker hiding behind their physical features. Similarly, the line "Myself the only Kangaroo / Among the Beauty" creates an image of the speaker feeling out of place and alone in a beautiful setting.

The poem also utilizes repetition to create a sense of the speaker's emotional state. The phrase "I am ashamed—I hide" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the central theme. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of the speaker's desperation to hide their shame.

Another notable literary device in the poem is the use of metaphor. For example, the line "Myself the only Kangaroo" uses the metaphor of a kangaroo to convey the speaker's feelings of being different and out of place. The metaphor of a burden is also used throughout the poem to describe the weight of the speaker's shame.

Style

Dickinson's unique style is evident in "I am ashamed—I hide." The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This style allows for a natural flow to the poem, which feels almost conversational. The lack of strict structure also adds to the poem's sense of emotional turmoil.

In addition to the free verse form, Dickinson's use of punctuation is also notable. The poem is filled with dashes and commas, which create pauses and breaks in the text. These pauses add to the poem's sense of fragmentation and emotional instability.

Finally, Dickinson's use of capitalization is also worth noting. She capitalizes certain words, such as "Somebody" and "Burden," which adds emphasis and creates a sense of importance around these words.

Interpretation

"I am ashamed—I hide" is a poignant expression of shame and its effects on the individual. The poem's central theme of shame is conveyed through vivid imagery and repetition, which creates a sense of the speaker's desperation to hide their shame. The poem also touches on themes of identity and isolation, as the speaker feels disconnected from themselves and alone in their shame.

Overall, "I am ashamed—I hide" is a powerful example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through her poetry. The poem's themes and literary devices work together to create a sense of the speaker's emotional turmoil and the weight of their shame.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Unpacking Emily Dickinson's "I am ashamed—I hide"

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "I am ashamed—I hide," a short but powerful piece that explores the theme of shame and its impact on the human psyche. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The Poem

I am ashamed—I hide— What right have I—to be a Bride— So late a Dowerless Girl— Nowhere to hide my dazzled face— No one to teach me that new grace— Nor introduce—my Soul— Nor suitors—leave to talk of me— And then—to whisper, "Who is she"— And so—to lie away— Without a chance to blush for fame— Or dart triumphant, shameless, back Into my face—another name—

Analysis

Theme

The central theme of "I am ashamed—I hide" is shame and its impact on the speaker's life. The poem explores the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that arise from societal expectations and the fear of not measuring up. The speaker is ashamed of her status as a "Dowerless Girl," someone who has no dowry or financial support to offer a potential husband. She feels that she has no right to be a bride and is hiding from the world, unable to face the judgment and scrutiny of others.

Structure

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a distinct tone and message. The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, with the speaker expressing her shame and hiding from the world. The second stanza delves deeper into the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and her lack of guidance or support. The third stanza offers a glimpse of hope, with the speaker imagining a triumphant return to the world under a different name.

Literary Devices

Dickinson's use of literary devices is one of the hallmarks of her poetry, and "I am ashamed—I hide" is no exception. Here are some of the most notable literary devices used in the poem:

• Metaphor: The speaker compares herself to a bride, highlighting the societal expectations placed on women to marry and have children.
• Repetition: The phrase "I am ashamed—I hide" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the speaker's feelings of shame and isolation.
• Alliteration: The phrase "dazzled face" uses alliteration to create a sense of confusion and disorientation.
• Enjambment: The poem uses enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, to create a sense of flow and movement.

Interpretation

"I am ashamed—I hide" is a deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal experience of shame and self-doubt. The speaker's feelings of inadequacy and isolation are relatable to anyone who has ever felt like they don't measure up to societal expectations. The poem also highlights the importance of guidance and support, as the speaker laments her lack of a mentor or teacher to help her navigate the complexities of life.

At the same time, the poem offers a glimmer of hope, with the speaker imagining a triumphant return to the world under a different name. This suggests that shame and self-doubt are not permanent states, and that it is possible to overcome them with time and effort. The poem also challenges the notion of societal expectations and the pressure to conform, suggesting that there is value in being true to oneself and forging one's own path in life.

Conclusion

"I am ashamed—I hide" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of shame and its impact on the human psyche. Through its use of metaphor, repetition, alliteration, and enjambment, the poem conveys the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and isolation, while also offering a glimmer of hope for the future. Ultimately, the poem challenges us to question societal expectations and the pressure to conform, and to embrace our true selves, flaws and all.

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