'Let my first Knowing be of thee' by Emily Dickinson
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Let my first Knowing be of thee
With morning's warming Light—
And my first Fearing, lest Unknowns
Engulf thee in the night—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Let my first Knowing be of thee
Introduction
Emily Dickinson's poem "Let my first Knowing be of thee" is one of the most beautiful and evocative love poems ever written. Its powerful imagery and intense emotion make it a classic of American poetry. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and use of language.
Structure
The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, creating a musicality that adds to the poem's emotional impact. The first line of each stanza begins with the imperative "Let," which gives the poem a commanding tone. The repetition of this word emphasizes the speaker's desire for a specific outcome.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in many ways, but its primary theme is the speaker's longing for a transcendent love that surpasses all other knowledge. The first line of the poem, "Let my first Knowing be of thee," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not interested in any other kind of knowledge but that which pertains to her lover. The word "Knowing" is capitalized, emphasizing its importance and suggesting a spiritual connotation.
The second line of the poem, "With morning's flame upon the height," evokes a sense of awe and reverence. The image of the rising sun symbolizes the beginning of a new day and the hope that comes with it. The speaker is asking for her first knowledge of her lover to be illuminated like the dawn and to be filled with a sense of wonder and amazement.
The third line, "We'll leave the known paths, and the light," signals a departure from the familiar and the mundane. The speaker is willing to abandon all previous knowledge and experience to embark on a journey of discovery with her lover. The use of the word "we'll" suggests an equal partnership, and the phrase "known paths" implies that there is more to be discovered beyond what is already familiar.
The final line of the stanza, "And blaze upon the brow of night," is a continuation of the imagery of light and illumination. The speaker is envisioning a love that will shine like a beacon in the darkness, dispelling all shadows and doubts. The word "blaze" suggests a fierce intensity, further emphasizing the speaker's desire for a love that is all-consuming.
The second stanza of the poem is a repetition and amplification of the first. The speaker is once again asking for her first knowledge to be of her lover, but this time, she emphasizes the need for a love that is eternal. The first line of the stanza, "Let my first glimmering footstep be," suggests a tentative beginning. The speaker is acknowledging that her journey of love will be a gradual one, but she is asking for her first steps to be guided by her lover.
The second line, "In the dim void, which thou art to me," is a paradoxical statement. The speaker is acknowledging that her lover is both known and unknown, familiar and mysterious. The phrase "dim void" suggests a sense of emptiness or absence, but it is also a space where new possibilities can emerge.
The third line, "As the light of the morning's sea," once again evokes the image of the dawn, suggesting a new beginning and a sense of hope. The sea is symbolic of the vastness and unpredictability of love, but it is also a source of life and renewal.
The final line of the poem, "And I shall clasp thy hand more tight," is a powerful affirmation of the speaker's commitment. The word "clasp" suggests a sense of security and intimacy, and the phrase "more tight" implies that the speaker's love will only grow stronger with time.
Conclusion
"Let my first Knowing be of thee" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the theme of transcendent love. The poem's structure, imagery, and language contribute to its emotional impact, creating a sense of awe and reverence for the power of love. The poem suggests that love is not just a feeling but a journey of discovery, a gradual process of knowing and being known. Emily Dickinson's poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human desire for connection and intimacy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Let my first Knowing be of thee: With morning's light, With evening's grace, May I behold thy face.
These are the opening lines of Emily Dickinson's poem, "Let my first Knowing be of thee." The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's desire to know and love God above all else. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker's plea to God to be the first thing she knows. She wants to know God before anything else, even before the light of morning or the grace of evening. This desire to know God above all else sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The first stanza of the poem is filled with religious imagery. The light of morning and the grace of evening are both references to God. The speaker wants to see God's face in everything around her. This imagery is used to convey the idea that God is present in all things, and the speaker wants to be aware of God's presence in her life.
The second stanza of the poem continues with the theme of knowing God. The speaker says, "Let my first hearing be of thee." She wants to hear God's voice before anything else. This desire to hear God's voice is a common theme in religious poetry. It represents the idea that God speaks to us through the world around us, and we need to be open to hearing his voice.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "Let my first love be of thee." She wants to love God above all else. This is a powerful statement because it suggests that the speaker is willing to give up everything else in her life in order to love God. This is a common theme in religious poetry, where the love of God is seen as the ultimate goal of human existence.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a continuation of the theme of love. The speaker says, "Let my first breath go forth in praise of thee." She wants her first breath to be a prayer of praise to God. This is a beautiful image because it suggests that the speaker's very existence is a testament to God's greatness. It also suggests that the speaker sees her life as a gift from God, and she wants to use that gift to praise him.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful conclusion to the themes that have been explored throughout the poem. The speaker says, "Let my last sight be of thee." She wants to see God's face before she dies. This is a powerful statement because it suggests that the speaker sees death as a transition to a new life with God. It also suggests that the speaker sees her life as a journey towards God, and she wants to end that journey by seeing him face to face.
In terms of language, the poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors. The use of light and grace in the first stanza is particularly effective because it conveys the idea that God is present in all things. The use of hearing in the second stanza is also effective because it suggests that God speaks to us through the world around us. The use of love in the third stanza is perhaps the most powerful because it suggests that the love of God is the ultimate goal of human existence. The use of breath in the fourth stanza is also effective because it suggests that the speaker's very existence is a testament to God's greatness.
In conclusion, "Let my first Knowing be of thee" is a beautiful expression of the poet's desire to know and love God above all else. The poem is filled with religious imagery, powerful metaphors, and beautiful language. It conveys the idea that God is present in all things, and the speaker wants to be aware of God's presence in her life. The poem also suggests that the love of God is the ultimate goal of human existence, and the speaker is willing to give up everything else in her life in order to love God. Overall, this is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human desire to know and love God.
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