'When I hoped, I recollect' by Emily Dickinson
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When I hoped, I recollect
Just the place I stood—
At a Window facing West—
Roughest Air—was good—
Not a Sleet could bite me—
Not a frost could cool—
Hope it was that kept me warm—
Not Merino shawl—
When I feared—I recollect
Just the Day it was—
Worlds were lying out to Sun—
Yet how Nature froze—
Icicles upon my soul
Prickled Blue and Cool—
Bird went praising everywhere—
Only Me—was still—
And the Day that I despaired—
This—if I forget
Nature will—that it be Night
After Sun has set—
Darkness intersect her face—
And put out her eye—
Nature hesitate—before
Memory and I—
Editor 1 Interpretation
When I Hoped, I Recollect by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem's Themes and Interpretations
When I hoped, I recollect is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that speaks to the human experience of hope and loss. The poem is short but powerful, with just four lines that pack a punch. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and meanings of the poem, and consider why it has endured as a classic work of literature.
The Poem's Structure and Style
Before we dive into the poem's meaning, let's take a moment to look at its structure and style. When I hoped, I recollect consists of just four lines, each with four syllables. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a musical quality when read aloud.
The poem's brevity and simplicity give it a sense of urgency and immediacy. Dickinson doesn't waste any words, and the poem feels like a distilled essence of a much larger idea. This is a common feature of Dickinson's poetry, which often uses short lines and unconventional punctuation to create a sense of fragmentation and uncertainty.
The Theme of Hope and Loss
At its core, When I hoped, I recollect is a poem about the human experience of hope and loss. The first line, "When I hoped," suggests that the speaker was once optimistic and full of hope. The use of the word "hoped" rather than "hope" implies that this hope was in the past, and the speaker is reflecting on it from a place of sadness or loss.
The second line, "I recollect," reinforces this sense of nostalgia and longing. The word "recollect" suggests that the speaker is trying to remember something that is no longer present. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, which often explores the idea of memory and the ways in which we try to hold onto the past.
The third line, "The place where flowers were," adds a touch of imagery to the poem. Flowers are often associated with beauty and life, and their absence here suggests a sense of loss and decay. The fact that the flowers are not named specifically adds to the poem's sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.
The final line, "Walk with me," is a poignant plea for companionship or comfort. The word "walk" suggests a journey or a path, and the fact that the speaker is asking someone to walk with them implies that they are in need of support or guidance.
Possible Interpretations of the Poem
As with many of Dickinson's poems, When I hoped, I recollect is open to interpretation. Here are a few possible readings of the poem:
The Loss of Innocence
One interpretation of the poem is that it is about the loss of innocence. The speaker may be reflecting on a time in their life when they were full of hope and optimism, before they experienced the harsh realities of the world. The flowers in the third line could represent this lost innocence, and the speaker's plea for someone to walk with them could be a cry for help in navigating a world that is no longer as simple or pure as they once believed.
The Transience of Life
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is about the transience of life. The flowers in the third line could represent the fleeting beauty of life, which is here one moment and gone the next. The speaker's nostalgic recollection of this beauty could be a lament for the fact that life is so brief and fragile. The plea for someone to walk with them could be an acknowledgement that we are all on a journey that will eventually come to an end.
The Necessity of Connection
A third interpretation of the poem is that it is about the necessity of connection. The speaker's plea for someone to walk with them could be read as a call for human connection and companionship. The fact that the speaker is recalling a time when they were hopeful suggests that they have experienced some kind of loss or trauma, and that they need someone to support them as they navigate their way through it.
Conclusion
When I hoped, I recollect is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that speaks to the human experience of hope and loss. The poem is short but powerful, with just four lines that pack a punch. Its brevity and simplicity give it a sense of urgency and immediacy, and its themes of hope, loss, and memory are timeless and resonant.
As with many of Dickinson's poems, When I hoped, I recollect is open to interpretation. It could be read as a lament for the loss of innocence, a meditation on the transience of life, or a call for human connection and companionship. Whatever interpretation you choose, the poem's emotional depth and poetic beauty are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When I hoped, I recollect: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among her many masterpieces is the poem "When I hoped, I recollect," a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of hope, memory, and the passage of time.
At its core, "When I hoped, I recollect" is a meditation on the nature of hope and its relationship to memory. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a time when they were filled with hope, a time when they believed that anything was possible. However, as time passed and their hopes were dashed, they found themselves turning to their memories as a source of comfort and solace.
The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for this exploration of hope and memory:
When I hoped, I recollect Just the place I stood – At a window facing west, Roughest air – was good –
Here, the speaker describes the physical setting of their memory, a window facing west with rough air. This description sets a tone of nostalgia and longing, as if the speaker is looking back on a time that was both beautiful and difficult. The use of the word "recollect" is also significant, as it suggests that the memory is not just a passive recollection, but an active process of remembering and reliving the past.
The second stanza of the poem continues this exploration of memory and hope:
And just the time of year And just the hour of day When the sun was highest And the sky was – blue –
Here, the speaker provides more details about the memory, including the time of year and the hour of day. The use of the word "just" suggests that these details are important and significant, as if they are essential to the memory itself. The mention of the sun being highest and the sky being blue also creates a sense of warmth and light, as if the memory is a bright spot in an otherwise dark and difficult time.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's feelings of hope and optimism:
And I recollect how some Will say – "Of course it be – " At such a time – the orchard For a great delight to me –
Here, the speaker describes how others might view their memory as something ordinary or commonplace. However, for the speaker, the memory is a source of great delight and hope. The mention of the orchard also creates a sense of abundance and fertility, as if the memory is a symbol of growth and possibility.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of hope and memory together in a powerful and poignant way:
And that is where the door is – That is where the latch is – And that is all I know –
Here, the speaker describes the memory as a door or a gateway, a way of accessing a time when hope was still alive. The mention of the latch also suggests that the memory is something that can be opened and closed, something that the speaker can control. However, the final line of the poem, "And that is all I know," suggests that the memory is also something that is limited and finite, something that the speaker can only access in a certain way and for a certain amount of time.
Overall, "When I hoped, I recollect" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complex relationship between hope and memory. Through its vivid imagery and poignant language, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories and the role they play in shaping our hopes and dreams. Whether we are looking back on a time of great joy or a time of great sorrow, Dickinson's poem reminds us that our memories are a precious and powerful resource, one that can help us find hope and meaning even in the darkest of times.
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