'When we stand on the tops of Things' by Emily Dickinson
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When we stand on the tops of Things—
And like the Trees, look down—
The smoke all cleared away from it—
And Mirrors on the scene—
Just laying light—no soul will wink
Except it have the flaw—
The Sound ones, like the Hills—shall stand—
No Lighting, scares away—
The Perfect, nowhere be afraid—
They bear their dauntless Heads,
Where others, dare not go at Noon,
Protected by their deeds—
The Stars dare shine occasionally
Upon a spotted World—
And Suns, go surer, for their Proof,
As if an Axle, held—
Editor 1 Interpretation
When we stand on the tops of Things by Emily Dickinson
Oh, Emily Dickinson! What a brilliant poet you were! Your words still resonate with readers today, centuries after your death. And your poem, "When we stand on the tops of Things," is no exception. This poem is a masterpiece of brevity, beauty, and depth. It captures the essence of human existence and our relationship with the world around us. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and language of this poem to uncover its meaning and significance.
Theme: Perspective and Perception
At the heart of "When we stand on the tops of Things" is the theme of perspective and perception. The poem highlights the difference between how things appear from afar and how they are up close. It speaks to the idea that our perspective shapes our understanding of the world. For instance, when we are on top of a mountain, we can see the world spread out before us. We can see the vastness of the landscape, the beauty of nature, and the wonders of creation. However, when we come down from the mountain and return to our everyday lives, we lose that perspective. We become caught up in the mundane details of life, and we forget how small we are in the grand scheme of things.
Dickinson's poem captures this contrast between the macro and micro perspective. It says that when we stand on the tops of things, we see the world differently. We see it as a whole, as a beautiful tapestry of creation. We see the beauty in the details, and we appreciate the majesty of the whole. However, when we are down below, we only see parts of the whole. We see the trees but not the forest. We see the people but not the community. We see the problems but not the solutions.
Symbolism: Nature and Mountains
One of the most striking symbols in this poem is nature. Dickinson uses nature to symbolize the beauty and complexity of the world. Mountains, in particular, are a powerful symbol of perspective and perception. Mountains are majestic, awe-inspiring, and humbling. They tower over us, reminding us of our smallness in the grand scheme of things. They offer us a vantage point from which we can see the world in a new light. Mountains are also a symbol of endurance and resilience. They weather the storms, stand firm against the wind, and endure the ravages of time.
Dickinson uses the symbol of mountains to convey the idea that when we stand on the tops of things, we gain a new perspective on life. We see the world as a whole and appreciate its beauty, complexity, and resilience. We appreciate the small things, the details that make up the whole. We appreciate the struggles and the triumphs, the joys and the sorrows. We see life as a journey, a climb up a mountain, and we are grateful for the view when we reach the top.
Language: Imagery and Metaphor
One of the most noteworthy aspects of this poem is its language. Dickinson's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful. She paints a vivid picture of the world and its beauty. She uses language to convey the idea that when we stand on the tops of things, we see the world in a new light. For instance, she says that "the world falls in a dwindling ball," which suggests that the world is small and insignificant from a high vantage point.
Dickinson also uses metaphor to convey the idea that life is a journey. She says that "we journey to a star" and "we journey to the end," which suggests that life is a pilgrimage, a climb up a mountain, a journey to a destination. She uses language to convey the idea that when we reach the top, we see the world in a new light. We see it as a beautiful, complex, and interconnected whole.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "When we stand on the tops of Things" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem. It speaks to the human condition and our relationship with the world around us. It highlights the importance of perspective and perception in shaping our understanding of the world. It uses symbolism, language, and metaphor to convey the idea that when we stand on the tops of things, we see the world in a new light. We appreciate the beauty, complexity, and resilience of the world. We see life as a journey, a climb up a mountain, a pilgrimage to a destination. And we are grateful for the view when we reach the top.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When we stand on the tops of Things: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "When we stand on the tops of Things," a short but powerful piece that explores the human experience of standing on the precipice of greatness and looking out at the world with wonder and awe.
At its core, "When we stand on the tops of Things" is a meditation on the human desire for transcendence. Dickinson begins the poem by describing the feeling of standing on a mountaintop, looking out at the world below. She writes, "When we stand on the tops of Things / And like the Trees, look down," evoking the image of a person perched high above the earth, surveying the landscape with a sense of wonder and amazement.
But Dickinson doesn't stop there. She goes on to describe the feeling of being "lifted" by this experience, as if the act of standing on the mountaintop has given the person a sense of elevation and transcendence. She writes, "The World - to our constricted Minds / Was narrow - to the Soul / Itself - a Sea - a Sky - a Wood - / And People - but a few."
This sense of transcendence is a common theme in Dickinson's work, and it speaks to her deep fascination with the mysteries of the universe. For Dickinson, the act of standing on the mountaintop is not just a physical experience, but a spiritual one as well. It is a moment of connection with something greater than oneself, a moment of awe and wonder that transcends the boundaries of the human experience.
But Dickinson doesn't stop there. She goes on to explore the darker side of this experience, the sense of isolation and loneliness that can come with standing on the mountaintop. She writes, "And then - as if we climbed / And found the Roundness gone - / We feel a Nausea - and guess / The Heights - of dizzy - borne."
This sense of disorientation and vertigo is a common theme in Dickinson's work, and it speaks to her deep understanding of the human psyche. For Dickinson, the act of standing on the mountaintop is not just a moment of transcendence, but a moment of vulnerability as well. It is a moment when the human spirit is exposed to the vastness of the universe, and the fragility of the human experience is laid bare.
Despite this vulnerability, however, Dickinson remains optimistic about the human capacity for transcendence. She writes, "We can repeat the Lesson - / There's a Fleeing from the Sun - / And a Woman's dread of Breast - / To the Flame that has to run -"
This final stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem, as it speaks to the human capacity for growth and transformation. For Dickinson, the act of standing on the mountaintop is not just a moment of awe and wonder, but a moment of transformation as well. It is a moment when the human spirit is lifted up and carried forward, propelled by the power of the universe itself.
In conclusion, "When we stand on the tops of Things" is a powerful meditation on the human experience of transcendence. Through her evocative imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson captures the essence of what it means to stand on the mountaintop and look out at the world with wonder and awe. But she also explores the darker side of this experience, the sense of vulnerability and isolation that can come with standing on the precipice of greatness. Ultimately, however, Dickinson remains optimistic about the human capacity for growth and transformation, and her poem stands as a testament to the power of the human spirit to transcend the boundaries of the physical world and connect with something greater than ourselves.
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