'Some Arrows slay but whom they strike—' by Emily Dickinson
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Some Arrows slay but whom they strike—
But this slew all but him—
Who so appareled his Escape—
Too trackless for a Tomb—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Some Arrows slay but whom they strike: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poetry is renowned for its depth, ambiguity, and unconventional style. Her poetic style has been the subject of intense scrutiny and critical analysis. In this paper, I will analyze Some Arrows slay but whom they strike, one of Dickinson's most enigmatic poems.
Overview of the poem
Some Arrows slay but whom they strike, also known as Poem 568 or "My period had come for Prayer," was written by Emily Dickinson in the 1860s. The poem is composed of two stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is a woman who is experiencing a crisis of faith.
Analysis of the poem
The poem begins with the line, "My period had come for Prayer." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it suggests that the speaker is going through a ritual or a prescribed routine. The word "period" implies a regular occurrence, something that happens at a specific time. The use of the word "Prayer" suggests that the speaker is a religious person who is committed to her faith.
The second line of the poem reads, "But God himself enclosed a brake." The word "enclosed" suggests that God has put up a barrier or an obstacle that prevents the speaker from praying. The word "brake" is an interesting choice, as it can mean both a barrier and a device used to slow down or stop something. This ambiguity adds to the complexity of the poem, as it is unclear whether God is preventing the speaker from praying or whether he is trying to slow down or stop her from praying.
The third line of the poem reads, "And inaccessible the brake." This line reinforces the idea that God has put up a barrier that is impossible to overcome. The word "inaccessible" suggests that the speaker has tried to overcome this barrier but has failed.
The final line of the first stanza reads, "Except to some who brake among." This line is cryptic and difficult to interpret. The word "brake" is used again, but this time it is used as a verb. The word "some" suggests that there are people who are able to overcome the barrier and pray. However, it is unclear who these people are and why they are able to overcome the obstacle.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "And yet it is not to be said." This line suggests that the speaker is struggling to express something that is difficult to put into words. The use of the word "yet" implies that the speaker is trying to overcome a challenge or a difficulty.
The second line of the stanza reads, "It is not to be said or read." This line reinforces the idea that the speaker is struggling to express something that is difficult to communicate. The use of the word "read" suggests that the speaker is also struggling to understand something.
The third line of the stanza reads, "By homely passion, by lover's dread." This line is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is trying to communicate something that is related to passion and fear. The use of the word "homely" suggests that the speaker is referring to something that is familiar or commonplace. The use of the word "lover's dread" suggests that the speaker is referring to a fear that is related to a romantic relationship.
The final line of the poem reads, "By courage, by things said and done." This line suggests that the speaker is trying to overcome the obstacle that is preventing her from praying by being courageous and by taking action. The use of the phrase "things said and done" is interesting, as it is unclear what these things are.
Interpretation of the poem
Some Arrows slay but whom they strike is a poem that explores the theme of faith and spirituality. The speaker is a woman who is experiencing a crisis of faith and is unable to pray. The obstacle that prevents her from praying is presented as something that is put up by God himself. This raises questions about the nature of God and his relationship with his followers.
The use of the word "brake" is significant, as it suggests that the obstacle that prevents the speaker from praying is not an external force but an internal one. The speaker is struggling with her own beliefs and doubts, and it is these doubts that are preventing her from praying.
The line "Except to some who brake among" suggests that there are people who are able to overcome this obstacle and pray. These people are not identified, but they are presented as an example of what the speaker could achieve if she were to overcome her doubts.
The second stanza of the poem suggests that the speaker is struggling to express something that is difficult to communicate. The use of the words "homely passion" and "lover's dread" suggest that the speaker is struggling with her own emotions and desires. The final line of the poem suggests that the speaker can overcome her doubts by being courageous and by taking action.
Overall, Some Arrows slay but whom they strike is a poem that explores the complex nature of faith and spirituality. The speaker is struggling with her own doubts and fears, and it is these doubts that are preventing her from praying. The poem suggests that the speaker can overcome her doubts by being courageous and by taking action.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's Some Arrows slay but whom they strike is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores the theme of faith and spirituality. The poem presents the obstacle that prevents the speaker from praying as something that is internal rather than external. The use of the word "brake" suggests that the speaker is struggling with her own doubts and fears. The poem suggests that the speaker can overcome her doubts by being courageous and by taking action. The use of the words "homely passion" and "lover's dread" suggest that the speaker is struggling with her own emotions and desires. Overall, Some Arrows slay but whom they strike is a thought-provoking poem that raises questions about the nature of faith and spirituality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Some Arrows slay but whom they strike: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
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 "Some Arrows slay but whom they strike," a short but powerful piece that explores the nature of fate and the unpredictability of life.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "Some Arrows slay but whom they strike." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the capriciousness of fate. The word "Arrows" is capitalized, which gives it a sense of importance and weight. This suggests that the poem is not just about physical arrows, but also about the metaphorical arrows that can strike us in life.
The second line of the poem reads, "But I have known a dart to save." This line is interesting because it seems to contradict the first line. If some arrows slay, how can a dart save? The word "dart" is also capitalized, which suggests that it is different from the arrows mentioned in the first line. This ambiguity is intentional, as it sets up the central tension of the poem: the unpredictability of fate.
The third line of the poem reads, "The instinct of the coming life." This line is difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that there is a force or energy that guides us towards our destiny. The word "instinct" implies that this force is innate and natural, rather than something that we can control or understand.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Too strong for steel." This line is interesting because it suggests that the force mentioned in the previous line is more powerful than any physical object. The word "steel" implies strength and durability, but it is no match for the force that guides us towards our destiny.
The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "The slaying is but liberty." This line is perhaps the most enigmatic of the poem. It seems to suggest that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that sets us free. The word "liberty" implies freedom and release, which is a stark contrast to the idea of death as an ending.
Taken together, these five lines create a powerful meditation on the nature of fate and the unpredictability of life. The poem suggests that there is a force or energy that guides us towards our destiny, but that this force is unpredictable and uncontrollable. Some arrows slay, but others save. Death is not something to be feared, but rather something that sets us free.
There are several possible interpretations of this poem, depending on how one reads the central tension between the first and second lines. One interpretation is that the poem is about the randomness of fate. Some arrows slay, but others save, and we never know which one will strike us. This interpretation suggests that life is unpredictable and that we must be prepared for anything.
Another interpretation is that the poem is about the power of hope. Even though some arrows slay, there is always the possibility that a dart will save. This interpretation suggests that we should never give up hope, even in the face of adversity.
A third interpretation is that the poem is about the inevitability of death. The instinct of the coming life is too strong for steel, which suggests that death is a natural and unstoppable force. The slaying is but liberty, which suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that sets us free. This interpretation suggests that we should accept our mortality and live our lives to the fullest.
In conclusion, "Some Arrows slay but whom they strike" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the nature of fate and the unpredictability of life. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity that invites multiple interpretations. Whether one reads the poem as a meditation on the randomness of fate, the power of hope, or the inevitability of death, it is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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