'Not probable—The barest Chance' by Emily Dickinson
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Not probable—The barest Chance—
A smile too few—a word too much
And far from Heaven as the Rest—
The Soul so close on Paradise—
What if the Bird from journey far—
Confused by Sweets—as Mortals—are—
Forget the secret of His wing
And perish—but a Bough between—
Oh, Groping feet—
Oh Phantom Queen!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Not probable—The barest Chance by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that is enigmatic, thought-provoking and inspirational? Look no further than the classic poem, "Not probable—The barest Chance" by Emily Dickinson. This poem, written in Dickinson's signature style, is rich in metaphorical language and complex imagery. In this literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary techniques used by Dickinson to create a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
Background
Emily Dickinson was an American poet who lived in the nineteenth century. She was a recluse and did not publish many of her poems during her lifetime. In fact, most of her poems were discovered after her death. Dickinson's oeuvre is known for its unconventional style, use of dashes and slant rhyme. Her poems often deal with themes of death, nature, spirituality, and the human condition.
"Not probable—The barest Chance" is a short poem that consists of eight lines. It was first published in 1890, four years after Dickinson's death. The poem has a cryptic title that creates a sense of anticipation and intrigue. It is one of Dickinson's most ambiguous poems and has been the subject of much interpretation and analysis.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the line, "Not probable—The barest Chance." The use of the negative "not" creates a sense of uncertainty and unpredictability. The phrase "the barest chance" suggests that something is unlikely to happen. This phrase is repeated in the last line of the poem, which gives the poem a circular structure. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the theme of chance and the unpredictability of life.
The second line of the poem, "A smile too few—A heart too much," is a paradoxical statement. It suggests that the person being referred to is someone who is reserved and has a limited capacity for happiness but at the same time, feels deeply. The use of the word "heart" suggests love and emotion but the phrase "too much" suggests that these emotions are overwhelming and difficult to control. This line creates a sense of tension and conflict that is central to the poem.
The next two lines, "And time—just leaves the autumn lea," suggest the passage of time and its impact on the natural world. The image of the autumn leaf falling from the tree is a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The phrase "just leaves" suggests that time is indifferent to the changes it brings. This line creates a sense of melancholy and nostalgia for what has been lost.
The fourth line of the poem, "Then to go—where no one knows," suggests the uncertainty and mystery of death. The phrase "no one knows" emphasizes the unknowable nature of death and what lies beyond. This line creates a sense of fear and trepidation that is central to the poem.
The final two lines of the poem, "Not probable—The barest Chance, A smile too few—A heart too much," repeat the opening lines of the poem. This repetition emphasizes the circular structure of the poem and its theme of chance and uncertainty.
Literary Techniques
Emily Dickinson is known for her use of literary techniques such as metaphor, paradox, and imagery. In "Not probable—The barest Chance," she uses these techniques to create a poem that is rich in meaning and complexity.
Metaphor: The image of the autumn leaf falling from the tree is a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of change. This metaphor is repeated throughout the poem to emphasize the theme of time and its impact on the natural world.
Paradox: The line "A smile too few—A heart too much" is a paradoxical statement that creates a sense of tension and conflict. It suggests that the person being referred to is someone who is reserved and has a limited capacity for happiness but at the same time, feels deeply.
Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery that creates a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The image of the autumn leaf falling from the tree is one example of the use of imagery in the poem. The use of the phrase "where no one knows" creates an image of a dark and mysterious place that emphasizes the fear and uncertainty of death.
Themes
The poem explores themes of chance, uncertainty, and the passage of time. It suggests that life is unpredictable and that we have little control over what happens to us. This theme is emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "Not probable—The barest Chance" throughout the poem. The theme of uncertainty is further emphasized by the paradoxical statement "A smile too few—A heart too much" which suggests that life is full of contradictions.
The poem also explores the theme of death and what lies beyond. The image of "where no one knows" suggests that death is a mysterious and unknowable place. This theme is further emphasized by the use of the metaphor of the autumn leaf falling from the tree which suggests the inevitability of death and the passage of time.
Conclusion
"Not probable—The barest Chance" is a complex and thought-provoking poem by Emily Dickinson. It explores themes of chance, uncertainty, and the passage of time. The use of literary techniques such as metaphor, paradox, and imagery creates a poem that is rich in meaning and complexity. The poem's circular structure emphasizes its themes and creates a sense of tension and conflict. The poem's enigmatic title creates a sense of intrigue and anticipation that is central to its interpretation. This poem is an excellent example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and her ability to create poetry that is both profound and beautiful.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Not probable—The barest Chance: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and unconventional approach to poetry. Her poem, “Not probable—The barest Chance,” is a prime example of her style, as it explores the concept of chance and its role in our lives. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem, examining its structure, language, and themes.
Structure
The poem is composed of two stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the concept of chance and how it affects our lives. The second stanza takes a more personal approach, exploring the speaker’s own experiences with chance.
Language
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Dickinson’s language is simple yet powerful, with each word carefully chosen to convey a specific meaning. For example, the use of the word “barest” in the title suggests that chance is something that is barely there, almost imperceptible. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea that chance is something that we often overlook or ignore.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase “Not probable” repeated twice in the first stanza. This repetition serves to emphasize the idea that chance is something that is unlikely to happen, but can still have a profound impact on our lives.
Themes
The main theme of the poem is the role of chance in our lives. Dickinson suggests that chance is something that we cannot control, but that can still have a significant impact on our lives. This is illustrated in the first stanza, where she writes:
“Not probable, the barest Chance A smile too few, a heart too much And nothing more that I can say But Nature did not deem it so”
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even the smallest chance occurrence, such as a smile or a feeling, can have a profound impact on our lives. She also suggests that these occurrences are not within our control, but are instead determined by nature.
In the second stanza, Dickinson takes a more personal approach, exploring her own experiences with chance. She writes:
“I thought that chance had done enough But chance can never do enough And every time I thought of you I felt my heart beat through and through”
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that chance has played a significant role in her life, particularly in her relationships. She also suggests that chance is something that is never enough, that there is always more to be discovered or experienced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Not probable—The barest Chance” is a powerful poem that explores the concept of chance and its role in our lives. Through its use of language, repetition, and themes, the poem suggests that chance is something that we cannot control, but that can still have a profound impact on our lives. Dickinson’s unique style and unconventional approach to poetry make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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