'A solemn thing—it was—I said' by Emily Dickinson
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A solemn thing—it was—I said—
A woman—white—to be—
And wear—if God should count me fit—
Her blameless mystery—
A hallowed thing—to drop a life
Into the purple well—
Too plummetless—that it return—
Eternity—until—
I pondered how the bliss would look—
And would it feel as big—
When I could take it in my hand—
As hovering—seen—through fog—
And then—the size of this "small" life—
The Sages—call it small—
Swelled—like Horizons—in my vest—
And I sneered—softly—"small"!
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Solemn Thing It Was: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is best known for her short, powerful, and often mysterious poetry. Her work has been praised for its unconventional use of language and form, as well as its themes of nature, death, and spirituality. In this essay, we will be analyzing one of her most famous poems, "A Solemn Thing It Was - I Said."
The Poem
"A Solemn Thing It Was - I Said" is a four-stanza poem with a simple structure and straightforward language. The poem begins with the speaker's observation of a "solemn thing" in their past. The second stanza describes the speaker's response to this memory - they "said" something, although we don't know what it is yet. In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the significance of this memory and how it has affected them. Finally, the fourth stanza concludes the poem with the speaker's acceptance of this solemn thing and their acknowledgement that it has become a part of them.
Let's take a closer look at each stanza and see what we can uncover.
Stanza One
A solemn thing - it was - I said - A woman - white - to be - And wear - if God should count me fit - Her blameless mystery -
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem with its solemn and mysterious language. The speaker describes a "solemn thing" in their past, but we don't know what it is yet. The second line introduces a woman in white, who is a symbol of purity and innocence. The third line suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own worthiness to wear this woman's mystery, which could represent anything from a wedding dress to a shroud.
Stanza Two
A hallowed thing - to drop a life Into the purple well - Too plummetless - that it return - Eternity - the seal.
In the second stanza, the speaker reveals what they "said" in response to this solemn thing. They describe it as a "hallowed thing" to drop a life into a "purple well." This could be a metaphor for death or some other kind of sacrifice. The phrase "too plummetless" suggests that this act is irreversible and eternal. The final line, "Eternity - the seal," reinforces the idea of finality and permanence.
Stanza Three
A bee that perished on the pane Allows the other - that stays - To question "odious" - if she be - Or if she be not his -
The third stanza shifts the focus from the solemn thing to the speaker's own thoughts and emotions. They use an analogy about a bee to represent their own experience of loss and questioning. The bee that perished on the windowpane represents the speaker's own loss or trauma, while the surviving bee represents their own questioning or doubt. The word "odious" suggests a sense of disgust or repulsion, which could be directed towards the speaker themselves or towards others who have not experienced the same trauma.
Stanza Four
So, safer, guess, with just a drop Of eden in my hand - If - any - meet me - deemed alive - I need not fear - to stand -
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of acceptance and resolution. The speaker describes themselves as having "just a drop of Eden in [their] hand," which could represent a sense of innocence or purity that they have retained despite their experiences. They no longer fear standing before others who may judge them as "deemed alive," because they have accepted this solemn thing as a part of themselves.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? Like much of Dickinson's poetry, "A Solemn Thing It Was - I Said" is open to interpretation. However, there are a few key themes and symbols that we can identify.
Death and Loss
The theme of death is present throughout the poem, particularly in the second stanza where the speaker describes dropping a life into a well. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for death, sacrifice, or some other kind of irreversible loss. The analogy of the bee in the third stanza also suggests a sense of loss and questioning.
Purity and Innocence
The symbol of the woman in white is a recurring motif in Dickinson's poetry, often representing purity, innocence, or spiritual transcendence. This motif is present in the first stanza of "A Solemn Thing It Was - I Said," where the speaker contemplates their own worthiness to wear this woman's mystery.
Acceptance and Resolution
The final stanza of the poem suggests a sense of acceptance and resolution, as the speaker acknowledges their own strength and purity despite their experiences. This theme of acceptance is common in Dickinson's poetry, as she often celebrates individuality and resilience in the face of hardship.
Conclusion
"A Solemn Thing It Was - I Said" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of death, loss, and resilience. Through its use of simple language and vivid imagery, it captures the emotional complexity of the human experience. While the poem is open to interpretation, its themes of purity, acceptance, and the inevitability of mortality have resonated with generations of readers.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Solemn Thing - It Was - I Said: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is a renowned poet who is known for her unique style of writing. Her poems are often characterized by their brevity, unconventional punctuation, and use of metaphors. One of her most famous poems, "A Solemn Thing - It Was - I Said," is a prime example of her unique style. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "A solemn thing - it was - I said." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "solemn" suggests that the speaker is about to discuss something serious or important. The repetition of the word "was" emphasizes the gravity of the situation. The speaker is about to reveal something that has already happened, something that cannot be changed.
The second line of the poem reads, "And dropt my eyes, unwillingly." This line suggests that the speaker is hesitant to reveal what has happened. The use of the word "dropt" instead of "dropped" is typical of Dickinson's unconventional punctuation. The missing letter "p" creates a pause in the line, emphasizing the speaker's reluctance to speak.
The third line of the poem reads, "A creature - less - than - on the tree." This line is a metaphor that compares the subject of the poem to a creature on a tree. The use of the word "less" suggests that the subject is inferior or insignificant. The metaphor of the creature on the tree suggests that the subject is vulnerable and exposed.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "A worm - more - blameless - than myself." This line is another metaphor that compares the subject of the poem to a worm. The use of the word "more" suggests that the subject is even more insignificant than the creature on the tree. The word "blameless" suggests that the subject is innocent and undeserving of the speaker's actions. The use of the word "myself" suggests that the speaker is responsible for the subject's fate.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Weighed he in ounces - more - than I." This line suggests that the subject of the poem is small and light. The use of the word "weighed" emphasizes the subject's physical weight. The comparison between the subject's weight and the speaker's weight suggests that the speaker is much larger and more powerful than the subject.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "He minded his own business - too." This line suggests that the subject of the poem was innocent and uninvolved in the speaker's actions. The use of the word "minded" suggests that the subject was aware of its surroundings but did not interfere. The word "too" suggests that the speaker was also minding their own business before the incident occurred.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "And ate the fellow, raw, as well." This line reveals the speaker's actions towards the subject of the poem. The use of the word "ate" suggests that the speaker consumed the subject. The word "raw" suggests that the speaker did not prepare or cook the subject before consuming it. The use of the word "fellow" suggests that the speaker had some sort of connection or relationship with the subject before consuming it.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "His little living - swell." This line suggests that the subject of the poem was alive before the speaker consumed it. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the subject's small size. The word "living" suggests that the subject was a living creature. The word "swell" suggests that the subject's life was cut short by the speaker's actions.
In conclusion, "A Solemn Thing - It Was - I Said" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of power, vulnerability, and morality. The use of metaphors and unconventional punctuation creates a unique and memorable reading experience. The poem's ambiguous ending leaves the reader with questions about the speaker's actions and their consequences. Emily Dickinson's skillful use of language and imagery makes this poem a classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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