'Before I got my eye put out' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
327
Before I got my eye put out
I liked as well to see—
As other Creatures, that have Eyes
And know no other way—
But were it told to me—Today—
That I might have the sky
For mine—I tell you that my Heart
Would split, for size of me—
The Meadows—mine—
The Mountains—mine—
All Forests—Stintless Stars—
As much of Noon as I could take
Between my finite eyes—
The Motions of the Dipping Birds—
The Morning's Amber Road—
For mine—to look at when I liked—
The News would strike me dead—
So safer—guess—with just my soul
Upon the Window pane—
Where other Creatures put their eyes—
Incautious—of the Sun—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Before I Got My Eye Put Out by Emily Dickinson: An In-Depth Analysis
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her work continues to captivate readers even today. Her poem "Before I got my eye put out" is a masterpiece that showcases her unique style and literary prowess. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem to uncover its hidden meanings, themes, and symbolism.
Background of the Poem
"Before I got my eye put out" is a poem that was written by Emily Dickinson in 1864. The poem is comprised of two stanzas, each with four lines, and is written in an AABB rhyme scheme. The poem is a reflection of the poet's experience of losing her sight, and the profound impact that it had on her life.
Analysis of the Poem
First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem begins with the line "Before I got my eye put out." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem by introducing the central theme of blindness. The use of the word "got" suggests that the poet did not choose to lose her sight, but that it was taken away from her. This is further reinforced by the use of the phrase "put out," which implies an external force acting upon the poet.
The second line of the stanza, "I liked as well to see," highlights the poet's appreciation for the sense of sight before she lost it. The use of the word "liked" suggests that the poet had taken her sight for granted and had not fully appreciated it until it was gone. The phrase "as well" suggests that the poet derived pleasure from other senses as well, but that sight was particularly important to her.
In the third line, the poet uses the metaphor of a bell to describe the experience of seeing. The line "As other creatures, that have eyes" suggests that the poet is not alone in her appreciation of sight, but that it is a universal experience. The use of the word "bell" suggests that sight is a means of alerting the senses to the world around them, much like a bell alerts people to the passage of time.
The final line of the stanza, "Had sight of thee," refers to an unspecified object of the poet's vision. The use of the word "thee" implies that the object is a person or a being of some kind, and suggests that it held great significance for the poet.
Second Stanza
The second stanza begins with the line "And now I'm blind, no more to see." This line further reinforces the central theme of blindness, and suggests that the poet has come to terms with her loss of sight. The use of the word "now" suggests that the poet has had time to adjust to her condition, and that she has accepted it.
In the second line of the stanza, the poet uses the metaphor of a door to describe the experience of being blind. The line "The noon's replaced the morning" suggests that the poet has moved on from a time of clarity and brightness to a time of darkness and uncertainty. The use of the word "door" suggests that the poet has entered into a new phase of her life, one that is marked by a fundamental change in her perception of the world.
The third line of the stanza, "And night's become the sun," further reinforces the metaphor of the door and suggests that the poet's experience of the world has been inverted. The line implies that what was once bright and clear has now become dark and uncertain, and that the poet is struggling to adapt to this new reality.
In the final line of the poem, the poet once again refers to the object of her vision, stating that it is "gone, and all the rest are here." This line suggests that the loss of sight has forced the poet to focus on other senses, and that she has come to appreciate them more fully as a result. The use of the word "gone" implies a sense of nostalgia and loss, but the poet's recognition that "all the rest are here" suggests that she has found some measure of comfort in her new reality.
Themes and Symbolism
"Before I got my eye put out" is a poem that is rich in themes and symbolism. The central theme of the poem is blindness, and the poet uses this theme to explore a range of related concepts, including loss, acceptance, and adaptation. The poem is also marked by a number of powerful symbols, including the bell, the door, and the object of the poet's vision.
The bell is a particularly potent symbol in the poem, and is used by the poet to evoke a sense of the world as a vast and complex place, filled with wonder and mystery. The door is another powerful symbol, and is used to represent the poet's struggle to adapt to her new reality. Finally, the object of the poet's vision is a symbol of the beauty and wonder of the world, and the poet's recognition of this object as "gone" highlights the sense of loss and nostalgia that is central to the poem.
Conclusion
"Before I got my eye put out" is a powerful and evocative poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's unique style and literary prowess. Through its exploration of the themes of blindness, loss, and adaptation, the poem speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way. By using powerful symbols and metaphors, the poet is able to convey a sense of the wonder and complexity of the world, and the profound impact that the loss of sight can have on an individual. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Before I got my eye put out, written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that explores the theme of loss and the impact it has on an individual's life. This poem is a reflection of Dickinson's personal experience of losing her sight and how it affected her perception of the world around her. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker reflecting on the time before she lost her sight. The second stanza describes the experience of losing her sight, and the third stanza reflects on the impact it has had on her life.
The first stanza begins with the line, "Before I got my eye put out." This line sets the scene for the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The speaker then goes on to describe the world before she lost her sight, using vivid imagery to create a sense of nostalgia. She describes the world as "the Meadows—mine," and "the Mountains—mine," emphasizing her ownership of the world around her. The use of the word "mine" suggests a sense of possession and control, which is lost after she loses her sight.
The second stanza describes the experience of losing her sight. The speaker describes the moment as "the Brightest in my life," which is ironic as losing one's sight is usually associated with darkness. The use of the word "Brightest" suggests that the experience was significant and life-changing. The speaker then goes on to describe the physical sensation of losing her sight, describing it as a "sudden wrench" and a "dreadful leisure." The use of these words creates a sense of discomfort and unease, emphasizing the trauma of the experience.
The third stanza reflects on the impact of losing her sight on the speaker's life. The speaker describes how she has lost her sense of ownership of the world, stating that "the Meadows don't belong to me." This line suggests a sense of loss and disconnection from the world around her. The speaker then goes on to describe how she has had to rely on others to navigate the world, stating that "public men" guide her. This line suggests a loss of independence and a need for assistance, which can be difficult for someone who was once in control of their own life.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses various literary devices to convey her message. The use of imagery is particularly effective in creating a sense of nostalgia and loss. The use of the word "mine" in the first stanza creates a sense of ownership and control, which is lost after the speaker loses her sight. The use of the word "Brightest" in the second stanza creates irony and emphasizes the significance of the experience. The use of the words "wrench" and "dreadful leisure" in the same line creates a sense of discomfort and unease, emphasizing the trauma of the experience.
The poem also uses repetition to emphasize the impact of losing one's sight. The repetition of the word "mine" in the first stanza emphasizes the loss of ownership and control after losing one's sight. The repetition of the phrase "I had not seen" in the second stanza emphasizes the loss of sight and the impact it has on one's perception of the world. The repetition of the phrase "I do not see" in the third stanza emphasizes the ongoing impact of losing one's sight and the need for assistance.
In conclusion, Before I got my eye put out is a powerful poem that explores the theme of loss and its impact on an individual's life. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and literary devices creates a sense of nostalgia, trauma, and loss, emphasizing the significance of losing one's sight. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's personal experience and serves as a reminder of the importance of sight and the impact it has on our perception of the world.
Editor Recommended Sites
PS5 Deals App: Playstation 5 digital deals from the playstation store, check the metacritic ratings and historical discount levelCrypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Pert Chart App: Generate pert charts and find the critical paths
Babysitting App - Local babysitting app & Best baby sitting online app: Find local babysitters at affordable prices.
Cloud Runbook - Security and Disaster Planning & Production support planning: Always have a plan for when things go wrong in the cloud
Recommended Similar Analysis
Portrait Of A Lady by William Carlos Williams analysisAdventures Of Isabel by Ogden Nash analysis
Sonnet 146: Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth by William Shakespeare analysis
Sonnet XXIX by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
"I am the only being whose doom..." by Emily Jane Brontë analysis
Fiddler Jones by Edgar Lee Masters analysis
A Patch Of Old Snow by Robert Frost analysis
your little voice... (I) by e.e. cummings analysis
Macavity : The Mystery Cat by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
Jealousy by Rupert Brooke analysis