'"Was not" was all the Statement' by Emily Dickinson
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"Was not" was all the Statement.
The Unpretension stuns—
Perhaps—the Comprehension—
They wore no Lexicons—
But lest our Speculation
In inanition die
Because "God took him" mention—
That was Philology—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Was not" was all the Statement - Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated American poets, is known for her profound and enigmatic poetry. She lived a reclusive life, and her poems reveal a deep fascination with death, nature, and the human condition. "Was not" was all the Statement is a prime example of Dickinson's poetic genius. The poem is a complex exploration of the nature of being, and it challenges the reader to ponder the meaning of existence.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem opens with the line, "Was not" was all the Statement - which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a statement of fact, but it is also a question. The use of the word "was" suggests that something has come to an end, and the use of "all" implies that whatever was, was everything. The capitalization of "Statement" also draws attention to the importance of what has just been said.
The second line of the poem reads, "Nor need you mind the date." This line suggests that the poem is not concerned with the specifics of when something happened, but rather with the universal nature of existence. The use of the word "mind" also implies that the poem is an invitation to think deeply about the subject matter.
The third line introduces the concept of "God," which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The line reads, "See was the possible and that / God and I-were present." The use of the word "possible" suggests that there is a potential for something to exist, but it has not yet come into being. The phrase "God and I" implies that the speaker is on equal footing with the divine and suggests that the speaker has a close relationship with God.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Two minds-the widest-seas / And mine-the only one." This line suggests that there are two minds that are vast and expansive, but the speaker's mind is the only one that matters. The use of the word "widest" suggests that these minds are limitless, and the comparison to the sea suggests that they are vast and deep.
The poem then moves into a discussion of the nature of existence. The fifth line reads, "Yours is the knowledge, mine the use / Show me but what my use." This line suggests that the speaker is seeking guidance from someone who has knowledge, but that the speaker's ultimate purpose is to find their own use.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Bandaging my eye." This line suggests that the speaker is blind to the purpose of their existence and needs help to understand it. The use of the word "bandaging" suggests that the speaker is wounded and needs healing.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "Will you say 'nothing'?" / "Apprehensively we stare." These lines suggest that there is a fear of the unknown and that the speaker is apprehensive about what they will learn. The use of the word "stare" suggests that the speaker is looking intently at something, but they are not sure what they will see.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Then practice, elsewhere what you taught." This line suggests that the speaker has learned something, but they must go and apply it elsewhere. The use of the word "practice" suggests that the speaker must work at their use, and that it will not come easily.
The poem ends with the line, "Was not the jest of yesterday / Was not the joke to-day." This line suggests that what was once thought to be amusing or unimportant is now seen in a different light. The use of the word "jest" implies that there was a lack of seriousness in the past, but the poem suggests that the nature of existence is a serious matter.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Was not" was all the Statement is a poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of existence. The poem suggests that there is a potential for something to exist, but it has not yet come into being. The speaker seeks guidance from someone who has knowledge, but their ultimate purpose is to find their own use. The poem suggests that the nature of existence is a serious matter and that what was once thought to be amusing or unimportant is now seen in a different light.
The poem also suggests a close relationship between the speaker and God. The use of the phrase "God and I" implies that the speaker is on equal footing with the divine and suggests that the speaker has a close relationship with God. This relationship is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry and suggests that she had a deep spirituality that permeated her work.
The poem also raises questions about the role of the individual in the universe. The use of the line, "Two minds-the widest-seas / And mine-the only one," suggests that there are vast forces at work in the universe, but that the individual has a unique purpose. The poem suggests that the individual must find their own use and apply it elsewhere.
Finally, the poem suggests a fear of the unknown. The use of the phrase "apprehensively we stare" suggests that there is a fear of what the speaker will learn. The poem implies that it is only through practice and application of knowledge that the fear of the unknown can be overcome.
Conclusion
"Was not" was all the Statement is a poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of existence. The poem suggests that there is a potential for something to exist, but it has not yet come into being. The relationship between the speaker and God is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry and suggests that she had a deep spirituality that permeated her work. The poem also raises questions about the role of the individual in the universe and suggests a fear of the unknown. Ultimately, the poem suggests that it is only through practice and application of knowledge that the fear of the unknown can be overcome. Emily Dickinson's poetic genius is evident in this complex exploration of the nature of being, and it is a testament to her enduring legacy as one of America's greatest poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Was not" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores the concept of existence and the nature of reality, using her signature brevity and wit to convey a powerful message.
At first glance, "Was not" may seem like a simple statement, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface. The poem begins with the words "Was not" repeated twice, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. This repetition sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with paradoxes and contradictions.
The next line, "was not the first small bird," introduces the idea of time and history. Dickinson is suggesting that there have been many small birds before this one, and that this bird is not unique or special in any way. However, the use of the word "first" implies that there is some sort of hierarchy or order to the birds, and that this one is somehow different from the others.
The third line, "not the first light," continues this theme of time and history. Dickinson is suggesting that there have been many lights before this one, and that this light is not the first or the last. However, the use of the word "first" again implies that there is some sort of significance to this particular light, and that it is somehow different from the others.
The fourth line, "not the first star," introduces the idea of space and distance. Dickinson is suggesting that there are many stars in the sky, and that this star is not the first or the last. However, the use of the word "first" once again implies that there is some sort of hierarchy or order to the stars, and that this one is somehow different from the others.
The fifth line, "I say," is a powerful statement that asserts Dickinson's authority and perspective. She is declaring that she is the one who is speaking, and that her words have weight and significance.
The sixth line, "all was night," is a stark contrast to the previous lines. Dickinson is suggesting that before the small bird, the light, and the star, there was darkness and nothingness. This line is a reminder that everything we see and experience is temporary and fleeting, and that there was a time before it all existed.
The seventh line, "through the void," introduces the idea of space and emptiness. Dickinson is suggesting that there is a vast emptiness that exists between the small bird, the light, and the star. This line is a reminder that even though we may see these things as separate and distinct, they are all part of a larger whole.
The eighth line, "on to where," is a question that invites the reader to consider the nature of existence and reality. Dickinson is asking where these things came from, and where they are going. This line is a reminder that we are all part of a larger cosmic story, and that our individual experiences are just a small part of a much larger narrative.
The ninth line, "no matter," is a powerful statement that suggests that none of this really matters in the grand scheme of things. Dickinson is reminding us that our individual experiences and struggles are insignificant when compared to the vastness of the universe.
The tenth line, "pauseless," is a reminder that time is constantly moving forward, and that there is no stopping or slowing it down. Dickinson is suggesting that even though we may feel like we are stuck in a particular moment or experience, time is always moving forward and we must keep moving with it.
The eleventh line, "as the distance," is a metaphor that compares the passage of time to the distance between objects in space. Dickinson is suggesting that just as the distance between objects in space is constantly changing, so too is the passage of time.
The final line, "had shrunk," is a powerful statement that suggests that even though time and space may seem vast and infinite, they are actually much smaller than we think. Dickinson is reminding us that our individual experiences and struggles are just a small part of a much larger narrative, and that we should not get too caught up in our own smallness.
In conclusion, "Was not" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and perspective. Through her use of paradoxes, contradictions, and metaphors, Dickinson explores the nature of existence and the passage of time. This poem is a reminder that even though we may feel small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, we are all part of a larger cosmic story, and that our individual experiences and struggles are just a small part of a much larger narrative.
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