'I gave myself to Him' by Emily Dickinson

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I gave myself to Him—
And took Himself, for Pay,
The solemn contract of a Life
Was ratified, this way—

The Wealth might disappoint—
Myself a poorer prove
Than this great Purchaser suspect,
The Daily Own—of Love

Depreciate the Vision—
But till the Merchant buy—
Still Fable—in the Isles of Spice—
The subtle Cargoes—lie—

At least—'tis Mutual—Risk—
Some—found it—Mutual Gain—
Sweet Debt of Life—Each Night to owe—
Insolvent—every Noon—

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I gave myself to Him" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson was one of the most important and influential American poets of the 19th century. Her poems explore themes of love, death, nature, and spirituality, among others. "I gave myself to Him" is one of her most intriguing poems, and it has been the subject of much interpretation and analysis over the years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the poem's themes, structure, language, and use of symbolism.

Themes

"I gave myself to Him" is a poem that explores the themes of love, faith, and surrender. The speaker of the poem surrenders herself to an unnamed "Him," who is likely a representation of God or a higher power. The poem suggests that the act of surrendering oneself is a powerful expression of faith and love.

The poem can also be read as a commentary on gender roles and expectations. The speaker is a woman who gives herself to a man, but it is unclear whether this man is a literal person or a symbol for God. Regardless, the act of surrendering oneself to a man was a common expectation for women in Dickinson's time, and the poem can be seen as both a critique of and a submission to this expectation.

Structure

"I gave myself to Him" is a short poem consisting of only two stanzas. The first stanza has four lines, while the second has three. The poem is written in the ballad meter, which consists of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. The rhyme scheme is ABCB in the first stanza and ABC in the second stanza.

The ballad meter gives the poem a simple, sing-song quality that belies its deeper themes. The short length of the poem also contributes to its impact, as every word and line feels carefully chosen and significant.

Language

Dickinson's language in "I gave myself to Him" is simple, yet powerful. The poem is written in plain language, with no complicated metaphors or imagery. However, the plainness of the language is deceptive, as the poem is filled with rich symbolism and deeper meaning.

The use of the pronoun "Him" is significant, as it suggests a higher power or divine force. The act of giving oneself to Him is an act of faith and devotion, and the use of a masculine pronoun can be seen as a commentary on traditional gender roles and expectations.

The use of the word "ransomed" in the second stanza is also significant, as it suggests a transactional relationship between the speaker and Him. The speaker has given herself to Him, and in return, she has been ransomed or redeemed. This suggests that faith and surrender are not one-sided acts, but rather a give-and-take relationship.

Symbolism

"I gave myself to Him" is filled with rich symbolism that adds depth and meaning to the poem. The use of the pronoun "Him" is perhaps the most significant symbol in the poem, as it suggests a higher power or divine force. The act of giving oneself to Him is an act of faith and devotion, and the use of a masculine pronoun can be seen as a commentary on traditional gender roles and expectations.

The use of the word "plight" in the first stanza is also significant, as it suggests a sense of danger or precariousness. The speaker is in a vulnerable position, having given herself to Him, but the act of surrender is also a source of strength and power.

Interpretation

"I gave myself to Him" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see the poem as a traditional expression of faith and devotion, with the speaker surrendering herself to God or a higher power. Others may see the poem as a commentary on traditional gender roles and expectations, with the speaker subverting or submitting to these expectations.

Regardless of the interpretation, the poem is a powerful expression of surrender and faith. The act of giving oneself to another, whether it be God or a person, is a powerful act of trust and vulnerability. Dickinson's use of simple language and rich symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a powerful and enduring work of literature.

In conclusion, "I gave myself to Him" is a poem that explores themes of love, faith, and surrender, while also commenting on traditional gender roles and expectations. Dickinson's use of language and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a rich and complex work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Gave Myself to Him: A Poetic Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works are known for their depth, complexity, and emotional intensity. One of her most famous poems is "I Gave Myself to Him," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "I gave myself to him." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. It is a simple statement, but it carries a lot of weight. The speaker is declaring that she has given herself to someone, and this act has significant meaning.

The second line of the poem, "And took himself for pay," is equally important. It suggests that the speaker has given herself to someone in exchange for something. This could be love, companionship, or even material possessions. The use of the word "pay" implies that there is a transaction taking place, and the speaker is giving something up in exchange for something else.

The third line of the poem, "The solemn contract of a life," is where the poem starts to become more complex. The speaker is suggesting that giving oneself to someone is a serious commitment, akin to a contract. This line also implies that the speaker has given herself to someone for life, which is a significant commitment.

The fourth line of the poem, "Was ratified this way," suggests that the commitment was made in a specific manner. The use of the word "ratified" implies that there was a formal agreement or ceremony that took place. This could be a wedding, a vow, or even a verbal agreement.

The fifth line of the poem, "The wealth might disappoint," is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker is acknowledging that the "pay" she received might not be enough. The use of the word "wealth" implies that the speaker was expecting something valuable in exchange for giving herself to someone. However, she is acknowledging that this might not be the case.

The sixth line of the poem, "Myself a poorer prove," is where the poem becomes even more complex. The speaker is suggesting that giving herself to someone has made her "poorer." This could mean that she has lost something of value, such as her independence or her sense of self. It could also mean that she has given up something that was important to her in exchange for something that is not as valuable.

The seventh line of the poem, "Than this great poverty of self," is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker is suggesting that the greatest poverty is the loss of oneself. This line is powerful because it suggests that giving oneself to someone can be a double-edged sword. While it can bring love and companionship, it can also lead to a loss of self.

The final line of the poem, "For His Redemption's sake," is where the poem ends. The speaker is suggesting that she gave herself to someone for the sake of his redemption. This could mean that she gave herself to someone to save him from something, such as loneliness or despair. It could also mean that she gave herself to someone to help him become a better person.

Overall, "I Gave Myself to Him" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, commitment, and self-sacrifice. The poem is powerful because it suggests that giving oneself to someone can be both rewarding and challenging. It also suggests that the greatest poverty is the loss of oneself, which is a powerful message that resonates with readers.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "I Gave Myself to Him" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers to this day. Its themes of love, commitment, and self-sacrifice are timeless and universal, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's talent as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.

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