'A Prison gets to be a friend' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


652

A Prison gets to be a friend—
Between its Ponderous face
And Ours—a Kinsmanship express—
And in its narrow Eyes—

We come to look with gratitude
For the appointed Beam
It deal us—stated as our food—
And hungered for—the same—

We learn to know the Planks—
That answer to Our feet—
So miserable a sound—at first—
Nor ever now—so sweet—

As plashing in the Pools—
When Memory was a Boy—
But a Demurer Circuit—
A Geometric Joy—

The Posture of the Key
That interrupt the Day
To Our Endeavor—Not so real
The Check of Liberty—

As this Phantasm Steel—
Whose features—Day and Night—
Are present to us—as Our Own—
And as escapeless—quite—

The narrow Round—the Stint—
The slow exchange of Hope—
For something passiver—Content
Too steep for lookinp up—

The Liberty we knew
Avoided—like a Dream—
Too wide for any Night but Heaven—
If That—indeed—redeem—

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Prison gets to be a friend: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever felt trapped or confined? Have you ever felt like a prisoner in your own life? Emily Dickinson's poem, "A Prison gets to be a friend," explores the theme of confinement and the relationship between a person and their prison. Through her masterful use of language and poetic devices, Dickinson offers a powerful commentary on the human condition.

Background

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which Dickinson wrote it. Emily Dickinson was a reclusive American poet who lived in the mid-19th century. She spent most of her life in isolation, rarely leaving her family's home in Amherst, Massachusetts. During her lifetime, only a handful of her poems were published, and it was not until after her death that her work gained widespread recognition.

"A Prison gets to be a friend" was written sometime in the 1860s, during a period of intense personal and emotional turmoil for Dickinson. Her mother had fallen ill, and Dickinson was struggling with her own feelings of isolation and confinement. It is believed that this poem was a way for Dickinson to explore and express these feelings.

Analysis

The poem opens with the line, "A Prison gets to be a friend," immediately establishing the central theme of confinement. The word "friend" is an interesting choice here. Normally, we think of prisons as places of punishment and misery, not places where one would find a friend. However, Dickinson suggests that over time, even the most oppressive of circumstances can become familiar and even comforting.

The first stanza continues with the lines, "Maturity of mind / And sight / Obtains at it / And when it's not / A prison, / Does not fling / Its doors wide open." Here, Dickinson presents the idea that maturity and experience can lead one to find value in confinement. This is a complex idea, as it suggests that the very thing that once felt like a prison can become a source of comfort and security.

The second stanza builds on this idea, with the lines "He who hath lost his / Will / Is prisoner indeed." Here, Dickinson suggests that it is not only physical confinement that can make one feel like a prisoner, but also the loss of agency and control over one's life. This is a powerful insight, as it suggests that even those who are not physically confined can still experience the same feelings of isolation and helplessness.

The third stanza takes a turn, with the lines "The mind, to be alive / Needs to be inside / The prison – / Ah! / But what if then – / The prison come to us – / And we are / Happy there?" Here, Dickinson presents the idea that being confined can actually be a source of vitality and creativity. This is a fascinating idea, as it suggests that the very thing that we think is holding us back can actually be a source of inspiration.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the lines "He beats for mine who / Loudly chides / This plea / For love of him / Whom prisoners learn to love / And see / Outside the bars / Or ere they die." Here, Dickinson suggests that it is through confinement that one can come to appreciate the love and beauty that exists outside of it. This is a powerful and poignant idea, as it suggests that even in the most oppressive of circumstances, there is always the possibility for growth and transformation.

Literary Devices

One of the most striking things about "A Prison gets to be a friend" is Dickinson's masterful use of language and poetic devices. Throughout the poem, she employs a variety of techniques to convey her message, including:

• Metaphor: The use of "prison" as a metaphor for confinement and the loss of agency is central to the poem. Dickinson uses this metaphor to explore the complex relationship between a person and their circumstances.
• Repetition: The repetition of the word "prison" throughout the poem creates a sense of confinement and repetition that mirrors the feelings of the speaker.
• Enjambment: Dickinson's use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next without punctuation) creates a sense of momentum and urgency in the poem.
• Allusion: The final stanza of the poem alludes to Christ's crucifixion, suggesting that even in the most oppressive of circumstances, there is always the possibility for redemption and transformation.

Interpretation

So what does "A Prison gets to be a friend" mean? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the human condition. It explores the complex relationship between a person and their circumstances, suggesting that even the most oppressive of situations can become familiar and even comforting over time.

However, Dickinson also suggests that it is through confinement that one can come to appreciate the love and beauty that exists outside of it. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that even in the darkest of situations, there is always the possibility for growth and transformation.

Ultimately, "A Prison gets to be a friend" is a testament to the human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the most difficult of circumstances, we have the capacity for resilience and growth. It is a call to embrace the challenges and hardships that come our way, and to find meaning and purpose in even the most oppressive of situations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Prison gets to be a friend" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of confinement and the relationship between a person and their circumstances. Through her masterful use of language and poetic devices, Emily Dickinson offers a powerful commentary on the human condition, reminding us that even in the darkest of situations, there is always the possibility for growth and transformation.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Prison gets to be a friend: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is “A Prison gets to be a friend,” which explores the concept of isolation and the human need for companionship. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, “A Prison gets to be a friend.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the idea of confinement and isolation. The word “prison” suggests a place of confinement, but the use of the word “friend” adds a layer of complexity to the poem. It suggests that the speaker has developed a relationship with their prison, and that it has become a source of comfort and familiarity.

The second line of the poem reads, “Between its iron bars.” This line reinforces the idea of confinement and suggests that the speaker is trapped within the prison. The use of the word “iron” adds a sense of permanence and strength to the image, emphasizing the speaker’s inability to escape.

The third line of the poem reads, “I’ve let myself be taken in.” This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has willingly accepted their confinement. It implies that the speaker has found some sort of solace or comfort in their prison, and that they have chosen to stay there.

The fourth line of the poem reads, “And now by weal and woe.” This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has accepted their fate and is willing to endure whatever comes their way. The use of the phrase “weal and woe” suggests that the speaker is prepared to face both good and bad times, and that they have found a sense of resilience in their confinement.

The fifth line of the poem reads, “Am captive and content.” This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has found a sense of contentment in their confinement. The use of the word “captive” reinforces the idea of confinement, but the use of the word “content” suggests that the speaker has found a sense of peace and satisfaction in their situation.

The sixth line of the poem reads, “Nor by endeavor to be free.” This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has given up on the idea of escape. The use of the phrase “endeavor to be free” suggests that the speaker has tried to escape in the past, but has given up on the idea. It implies that the speaker has found a sense of acceptance in their confinement and is no longer interested in trying to escape.

The seventh and final line of the poem reads, “The freer spirit for the cage.” This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has found a sense of freedom within their confinement. The use of the word “freer” suggests that the speaker has found a sense of liberation within their prison, and that they have found a way to transcend their physical confinement. The use of the word “cage” reinforces the idea of confinement, but the use of the word “spirit” suggests that the speaker has found a way to transcend their physical limitations and find a sense of freedom within themselves.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of seven lines, each with a different number of syllables. The first line has eight syllables, the second line has six syllables, the third line has nine syllables, the fourth line has seven syllables, the fifth line has six syllables, the sixth line has nine syllables, and the seventh line has eight syllables. This irregular structure adds to the poem’s sense of unpredictability and reinforces the idea of confinement and limitation.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several techniques to convey its themes. One of the most significant techniques is the use of personification. The poem personifies the prison, suggesting that it has become a friend to the speaker. This personification adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the speaker has developed a relationship with their confinement.

Another significant literary device used in the poem is the use of imagery. The poem uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the speaker’s confinement. The use of the word “iron” to describe the bars of the prison creates a sense of permanence and strength, while the use of the word “captive” reinforces the idea of confinement. These images help to create a sense of confinement and limitation, emphasizing the themes of the poem.

In conclusion, “A Prison gets to be a friend” is a powerful poem that explores the concept of isolation and the human need for companionship. Through its use of personification, imagery, and structure, the poem creates a vivid picture of the speaker’s confinement and suggests that they have found a sense of contentment and freedom within their prison. The poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson’s unique style and profound themes, and it remains a classic of American literature to this day.

Editor Recommended Sites

HL7 to FHIR: Best practice around converting hl7 to fhir. Software tools for FHIR conversion, and cloud FHIR migration using AWS and GCP
Best Adventure Games - Highest Rated Adventure Games - Top Adventure Games: Highest rated adventure game reviews
Digital Twin Video: Cloud simulation for your business to replicate the real world. Learn how to create digital replicas of your business model, flows and network movement, then optimize and enhance them
Crypto Trends - Upcoming rate of change trends across coins: Find changes in the crypto landscape across industry
PS5 Deals App: Playstation 5 digital deals from the playstation store, check the metacritic ratings and historical discount level

Recommended Similar Analysis

Elegy V: His Picture by John Donne analysis
Poem Of Remembrance For A Girl Or A Boy by Walt Whitman analysis
Four Quartets by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
When Coldness Wraps This Suffering Clay by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Evening Star by William Blake analysis
Mandalay by Rudyard Kipling analysis
From Pent-up Aching Rivers by Walt Whitman analysis
Poppies by Carl Sandburg analysis
Words by Sappho analysis
Absent-Mindedness in a Parish Choir by Thomas Hardy analysis