'Myself was formed—a Carpenter' by Emily Dickinson
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Myself was formed—a Carpenter—
An unpretending time
My Plane—and I, together wrought
Before a Builder came—
To measure our attainments—
Had we the Art of Boards
Sufficiently developed—He'd hire us
At Halves—
My Tools took Human—Faces—
The Bench, where we had toiled—
Against the Man—persuaded—
We—Temples build—I said—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Myself was formed—a Carpenter: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Are you a lover of poetry? Or maybe you're an ardent Emily Dickinson fan? If you answered affirmatively to either of those questions, then you're in for a treat. We're going to dive headfirst into the world of Emily Dickinson and explore one of her most famous works - "Myself was formed—a Carpenter."
Poetry is a complex art form that can be interpreted in many ways. Each reader has a unique perspective and experience, and as such, it's vital to approach a literary work with an open mind. Let's start by breaking down the poem, stanza by stanza.
Stanza 1
Myself was formed—a Carpenter— An unpretending time My Plane—and I, together wrought Before a Builder came—
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. We get a glimpse into the speaker's identity - "Myself." Here, "Myself" represents the speaker's spirit or soul. The phrase "Myself was formed" implies that the speaker has a sense of self-awareness and acknowledges their creation.
The speaker then likens their creation to that of a carpenter's work. Dickinson frequently uses metaphors in her works, and this is a perfect example of that. The comparison between the speaker's creation and a carpenter's work suggests that there was intention and purpose behind their creation. The term "unpretending time" highlights that the speaker's creation was not influenced by external factors, but rather an inherent characteristic.
The line "Before a Builder came" implies that there was a formative period before external influences began to shape the speaker. This idea of pre-destination is a recurring theme in Dickinson's works.
Stanza 2
Together worked our minds— With a technical success— Fulfilled our plans— Chose our site—
In the second stanza, we get a sense of collaboration between the speaker and their creation. The phrase "Together worked our minds" suggests that the creation and the speaker are in sync with each other. This unity is further emphasized by "with technical success," highlighting that the collaboration was precise and efficient.
Furthermore, the stanza highlights that the speaker and their creation had a clear plan in place. They chose their site and fulfilled their plans, which reinforces the idea that there was intention behind the speaker's creation.
Stanza 3
Oh, could we but recall our days Of pledge and early love, The moments when we first beheld Their coverts, to remove!
The third stanza introduces the concept of nostalgia, which is a common theme in Dickinson's works. The speaker expresses a desire to go back to the beginning of their creation, to the time of "pledge and early love." This phrase is significant as it suggests that the speaker had a deep affection for their creation, which they refer to as "their coverts."
By expressing this longing for the past, the speaker highlights the emotional attachment they have towards their creation. The term "coverts" also suggests that the speaker's creation is a safe haven, a place of refuge.
Stanza 4
The time has come for us to veil The mitre of the soul, And lead the closing moments by— Majestic as the goal!
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker declares that it's time to "veil the mitre of the soul," which refers to the end of the speaker's life. The phrase "lead the closing moments by" suggests that the speaker will take control of their final moments, and they will be "majestic as the goal."
In this stanza, the speaker shifts from reflecting on the past to looking towards the future. The phrase "majestic as the goal" suggests that the speaker's creation has served its purpose and that the speaker is ready to move on to the next stage of their existence.
Interpretation
"Myself was formed—a Carpenter" is a complex and multi-layered poem. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and evocative picture of the speaker's creation. The overarching theme of the poem is the idea of creation and purpose. The poem suggests that the speaker's creation was intentional and that it served a specific purpose.
The poem also explores the idea of nostalgia and emotional attachment. The speaker expresses a desire to go back to the beginning of their creation and expresses a deep emotional connection with their creation. This emotional attachment is significant as it suggests that the speaker's creation is more than just a physical entity but also represents a part of the speaker's soul.
Furthermore, the poem highlights the idea of predestination. The phrase "Before a Builder came" suggests that there was a formative period before external influences began to shape the speaker. This concept of predestination is a recurring theme in Dickinson's works, and it suggests that there is a higher power at work that determines our fate.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. It suggests that the speaker's creation has served its purpose, and it's time for the speaker to move on to the next stage of their existence. The phrase "majestic as the goal" suggests that the speaker is ready to meet their fate with dignity and grace.
Conclusion
"Myself was formed—a Carpenter" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the themes of creation, purpose, and nostalgia. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and compelling picture of the speaker's creation, and the overarching theme of predestination adds a sense of depth and complexity to the poem.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action and suggests that the speaker's creation has served its purpose. The phrase "majestic as the goal" highlights that the speaker is ready to meet their fate with dignity and grace.
Emily Dickinson was a master of her craft, and "Myself was formed—a Carpenter" is a testament to her talent and skill. This poem is a masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Myself was formed—a Carpenter by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a beautiful expression of the human experience, and it speaks to the power of self-discovery and self-creation. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "Myself was formed—a Carpenter." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the speaker's identity as a carpenter. The use of the word "formed" suggests that the speaker has created themselves, that they have taken an active role in shaping their own identity. This theme of self-creation is central to the poem and is explored throughout.
The next line reads, "An unpretending time." This line suggests that the speaker's self-creation was not a deliberate or intentional act. Instead, it was something that happened naturally, without any effort or intention on their part. The use of the word "unpretending" suggests that the speaker's self-creation was humble and unassuming, that they did not set out to create something grand or impressive.
The third line reads, "I built a hut, I dug a well." These lines suggest that the speaker's self-creation involved physical labor. They built a hut and dug a well, which suggests that they were creating a home for themselves. This theme of creating a home is important because it suggests that the speaker's self-creation was not just about creating an identity but also about creating a sense of belonging and security.
The next line reads, "And slew a pig and fed myself." This line suggests that the speaker's self-creation involved taking care of themselves. They killed a pig and fed themselves, which suggests that they were self-sufficient and able to take care of their own needs. This theme of self-sufficiency is important because it suggests that the speaker's self-creation was not just about creating an identity but also about creating a sense of independence and self-reliance.
The fifth line reads, "And then I grew inured to want." This line suggests that the speaker's self-creation involved overcoming hardship and adversity. They grew inured to want, which suggests that they became accustomed to living with less and were able to find contentment in their simple life. This theme of overcoming hardship is important because it suggests that the speaker's self-creation was not just about creating an identity but also about developing resilience and strength.
The final two lines of the poem read, "And now, I sit and sing awhile, / As fair as any on the dial." These lines suggest that the speaker's self-creation has led to a sense of contentment and joy. They sit and sing, which suggests that they are happy and at peace with themselves. The use of the phrase "as fair as any on the dial" suggests that the speaker is equal to anyone else, that their self-creation has not made them superior or inferior to others.
The imagery used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also powerful. The image of building a hut and digging a well suggests that the speaker is creating a home for themselves, a place where they can feel safe and secure. The image of killing a pig and feeding themselves suggests that the speaker is self-sufficient and able to take care of their own needs. The image of growing inured to want suggests that the speaker has developed resilience and strength through their experiences.
The language used in the poem is also simple and straightforward, but it is also beautiful and poetic. The use of the word "formed" suggests that the speaker has taken an active role in shaping their own identity. The use of the word "unpretending" suggests that the speaker's self-creation was humble and unassuming. The use of the phrase "as fair as any on the dial" suggests that the speaker is equal to anyone else.
In conclusion, Myself was formed—a Carpenter by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of self-creation, self-sufficiency, resilience, and contentment. The imagery and language used in the poem are simple and straightforward, but they are also powerful and poetic. The poem is a testament to the power of self-discovery and self-creation, and it reminds us that we have the power to shape our own identities and create a sense of belonging and security for ourselves.
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