'Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?' by Emily Dickinson
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Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?
Not Death—for who is He?
The Porter of my Father's Lodge
As much abasheth me!
Of Life? 'Twere odd I fear [a] thing
That comprehendeth me
In one or two existences—
As Deity decree—
Of Resurrection? Is the East
Afraid to trust the Morn
With her fastidious forehead?
As soon impeach my Crown!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Afraid! Of Whom am I Afraid?
Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry that explores the depths of human emotions in a subtle yet powerful manner. One of her most perplexing poems is "Afraid! Of Whom am I Afraid?" which delves into the complex subject of fear and the unknown. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and symbols present in this classic poem.
The Fear of the Unknown
The opening line of the poem itself sets the tone for the rest of the piece: "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" As readers, we can immediately sense the speaker's confusion and uncertainty about what exactly is causing their fear. The poem then goes on to explore this theme of fear of the unknown, with lines like "Not death, for who is he?" and "Not God, for He alone."
The speaker's fear is not directed towards any specific entity, but rather towards the idea of something that is unknown and intangible. This is a common fear that many of us can relate to, as we often fear the things that we cannot see or understand. Dickinson's use of enjambment throughout the poem adds to this sense of uncertainty, as the lines flow into each other without any clear breaks, mirroring the speaker's confusion and lack of clarity.
The Paradox of Fear
One of the most intriguing aspects of this poem is the paradoxical nature of fear that is presented. The speaker admits to being afraid, yet they cannot pinpoint exactly what it is that they are afraid of. This contradictory situation is further emphasized by the line "Of panic, lest an atom / Is sawdust timidly afraid." Here, the speaker compares their fear to that of an atom, which is naturally small and insignificant, yet still afraid.
The use of paradox in this poem serves to highlight the irrationality of fear and the way that it can take hold of us even when there is no clear reason for it. The speaker's fear is not based on any concrete knowledge or experience, but rather on a vague sense of unease that is difficult to shake.
The Symbolism of Nature
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses imagery and symbolism drawn from nature to explore the themes of fear and the unknown. The line "Of waters afraid, to quench my thirst" is a powerful example of this, as it conjures up an image of a thirsty traveler who is too afraid to drink from a nearby stream.
Nature is often used in literature to represent the unknown and the mysterious, and Dickinson uses this symbolism to great effect in "Afraid! Of Whom am I Afraid?" The speaker's fear is like a dark forest that they cannot find their way out of, or a stormy sea that threatens to engulf them. These natural images add to the overall sense of unease and uncertainty that pervades the poem.
The Search for Meaning
Ultimately, "Afraid! Of Whom am I Afraid?" is a poem about the search for meaning and understanding in a world that is often confusing and frightening. The speaker's fear is not just a personal one, but a universal one that we all experience at some point in our lives.
The final lines of the poem, "And Life, and Death, and Giants / Such as we, / Are only toys / For Time to see!" suggest that the speaker has come to some sort of realization about the nature of their fear. Time, which is often seen as the great equalizer, will eventually make everything irrelevant and unimportant. This idea gives the speaker comfort and helps them to overcome their fear.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Afraid! Of Whom am I Afraid?" is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of fear and the unknown. Through its use of paradox, symbolism and natural imagery, the poem creates a sense of unease that is both universal and deeply personal. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the search for meaning in the face of fear is a universal one that we all must confront at some point in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? This is the opening line of one of Emily Dickinson's most famous poems. In just nine words, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of fear and uncertainty that plagues us all at some point in our lives. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and meaning.
Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet who wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime. Despite her prolific output, she was a recluse who rarely left her home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her poetry is known for its unconventional style, use of slant rhyme, and enigmatic themes. Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? is a perfect example of her unique style and ability to convey complex emotions in just a few words.
The poem consists of just two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem:
Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? Not Death—for who is He? The Porter of my Father's Lodge As much abasheth me.
The opening line immediately grabs our attention with its exclamation mark. Dickinson is not asking a question, but making a statement. She is afraid, but of whom? The second line rules out death as the source of her fear. Death is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, but here she is saying that it is not what she is afraid of. This is an interesting choice, as death is often seen as the ultimate fear. By ruling it out, Dickinson is forcing us to look deeper into her psyche.
The third line introduces the image of a porter, or gatekeeper, at her father's lodge. This is a metaphor for someone who controls access to a place or a person. In this case, the porter represents someone who has the power to allow or deny Dickinson access to her father. The fact that this person "abasheth" her, or makes her feel ashamed or embarrassed, suggests that she is afraid of being rejected or excluded.
The second stanza continues this theme:
Of Life? 'Tis true, Her force is dread— But death delivers from the pain— Of Life, is yet the hope— So's Death's delusive gain.
Here, Dickinson is acknowledging that life can be a source of fear. The force of life is "dread," which suggests that it can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, she also acknowledges that death can deliver us from the pain of life. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often sees death as a release from the struggles of life.
However, she also recognizes that life is full of hope. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that even in the face of fear and uncertainty, there is always the possibility of something better. The final line, "So's Death's delusive gain," is a bit more difficult to interpret. It could be read as a warning against seeing death as a solution to life's problems. Death may seem like a gain, but it is ultimately a delusion.
The imagery in this poem is simple but effective. The porter at the lodge is a powerful metaphor for the people in our lives who have the power to grant or deny us access. This could be a boss, a lover, a friend, or anyone else who has the power to make us feel ashamed or excluded. The image of life as a force of dread is also powerful, as it suggests that life can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, the hope that Dickinson sees in life is equally powerful, as it suggests that even in the face of fear and uncertainty, there is always the possibility of something better.
The meaning of this poem is open to interpretation, as with much of Dickinson's work. However, there are a few key themes that emerge. The first is the fear of rejection and exclusion. Dickinson is afraid of being abashed by the porter at her father's lodge, which suggests that she is afraid of being rejected or excluded from her own family. This is a common fear that many of us can relate to.
The second theme is the fear of life itself. Dickinson acknowledges that life can be a source of dread, but also sees the hope that it offers. This is a complex and nuanced view of life that suggests that even in the face of fear and uncertainty, there is always the possibility of something better.
Finally, there is the theme of death. Dickinson sees death as a release from the pain of life, but also recognizes that it is a delusion. This suggests that while death may seem like a solution to life's problems, it is ultimately a false hope.
In conclusion, Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? is a powerful and enigmatic poem that captures the essence of fear and uncertainty. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson explores the themes of rejection, exclusion, life, and death. While the poem is open to interpretation, it is clear that Dickinson was a master of conveying complex emotions in just a few words. This is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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