'I thought the Train would never come—' by Emily Dickinson
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I thought the Train would never come—
How slow the whistle sang—
I don't believe a peevish Bird
So whimpered for the Spring—
I taught my Heart a hundred times
Precisely what to say—
Provoking Lover, when you came
Its Treatise flew away
To hide my strategy too late
To wiser be too soon—
For miseries so halcyon
The happiness atone—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
I thought the Train would never come: An Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated American poets, is known for her profound and evocative poems that explore themes of love, death, nature, and spirituality. Her work is characterized by her unique style, which often features unconventional punctuation and syntax. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into one of Dickinson's most famous poems, "I thought the Train would never come".
Overview of the Poem
The poem "I thought the Train would never come" consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem explores the speaker's anticipation and impatience for the arrival of a train. The first stanza begins with the speaker waiting for the train to arrive, while the second stanza describes the speaker's reaction to the train's eventual arrival.
Analysis
Stanza One
The first stanza sets the scene for the poem, as the speaker waits for the train. The opening line, "I thought the Train would never come," immediately establishes the speaker's impatience, as they are eager for the train to arrive. The repetition of the word "never" emphasizes the speaker's frustration and suggests that they have been waiting for a long time.
The second line, "I wondered what had happened to it," adds to the speaker's frustration and impatience. The use of the word "wondered" implies that the speaker is uncertain about the cause of the delay, and may be anxious about the possibility of the train being cancelled or delayed indefinitely.
The third line, "But never ceased to look," shows the speaker's determination to continue waiting for the train, despite their frustration. This line also suggests that the speaker may be hoping that the train will arrive soon, and that their patience will be rewarded.
The final line of the stanza, "At last 'twas six o'clock," reveals that the speaker has been waiting for the train for several hours, as it is now six o'clock in the evening. The use of the word "at last" suggests that the arrival of the train has been a long-awaited event, and that the speaker is relieved that it has finally arrived.
Stanza Two
The second stanza describes the speaker's reaction to the arrival of the train. The opening line, "I heard him--for his gun," suggests that the speaker is excited and relieved that the train has finally arrived. The use of the word "gun" here refers to the sound of the train's whistle, which is often compared to the sound of a gun.
The second line, "And then I wished him dead," is a surprising and jarring statement that stands in stark contrast to the speaker's previous excitement. This line can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible reading is that the speaker is expressing their frustration with the train's delay and their own impatience.
The third line, "But he was gone," suggests that the speaker's frustration and impatience were fleeting, and that they are now content that the train has arrived. The use of the word "gone" also implies that the train's arrival was brief, and that the speaker may be feeling a sense of loss or nostalgia.
The final line of the poem, "Oh, never mind the tears," is a cryptic and ambiguous statement that leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty. The use of the word "tears" suggests that the speaker may be feeling emotional or sentimental about the train's arrival, but the meaning of this line remains open to interpretation.
Interpretation
"I thought the Train would never come" is a poem that explores themes of anticipation, frustration, impatience, and nostalgia. The speaker's impatience and frustration at the delay of the train are contrasted with their excitement and relief at its eventual arrival. The poem can be read as a meditation on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of human experience.
The repetition of the word "never" in the first line of the poem emphasizes the speaker's frustration and suggests that they may be feeling a sense of hopelessness or despair. However, the speaker's determination to continue waiting for the train suggests that they have not given up hope entirely.
The surprise and abrupt shift in tone in the second stanza, with the speaker wishing the train dead, adds a layer of complexity to the poem. This shift in tone can be read as a reflection of the speaker's inner conflict and their struggle to reconcile their impatience and frustration with their excitement and relief at the train's arrival.
The final line of the poem, "Oh, never mind the tears," is a mysterious and enigmatic statement that leaves the reader with more questions than answers. This line can be read as a reflection of the speaker's willingness to let go of their emotions and embrace the fleeting nature of human experience.
Conclusion
"I thought the Train would never come" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of anticipation, frustration, impatience, and nostalgia. The poem's unique style, with its unconventional punctuation and syntax, adds to its sense of mystery and ambiguity. The poem's final line, "Oh, never mind the tears," leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and a desire to delve deeper into its meaning. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of language and imagery makes this poem a timeless classic of American poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I thought the Train would never come— written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of waiting and the emotions that come with it. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "I thought the Train would never come." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately draws the reader in. It is a simple statement, but it is one that many of us can relate to. We have all experienced the feeling of waiting for something and feeling like it will never come.
As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the scene around her. She talks about the "horses' heads" and the "fields of grazing grain." These details help to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and add to the overall atmosphere of the poem. The imagery is beautiful and adds to the sense of anticipation that the speaker is feeling.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "It seemed as if the whole elevated train." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is not just waiting for any train, but a specific one. The use of the word "elevated" also adds to the sense of anticipation and excitement. The speaker is waiting for something big and important.
The third stanza of the poem is where the emotions really start to come through. Dickinson writes, "And then I looked for a face." This line is powerful because it shows that the speaker is not just waiting for a train, but for someone specific. The use of the word "face" is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is looking for someone they know and care about.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most emotional. Dickinson writes, "I thought but just this side of Jordan." This line is a reference to the biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. In the story, the Jordan River represents the boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. The use of this reference suggests that the speaker is waiting for something that will take them to a better place.
The final stanza of the poem is where the waiting finally comes to an end. Dickinson writes, "With blue—uncertain stumbling Buzz— / Between the light—and me—." This line is beautiful because it captures the moment when the train finally arrives. The use of the word "blue" suggests that the train is moving quickly and the use of the word "uncertain" suggests that it is not a smooth arrival. The use of the word "stumbling" also adds to this sense of uncertainty.
Overall, I thought the Train would never come— written by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful poem that captures the emotions of waiting. The use of vivid imagery and biblical references adds to the overall atmosphere of the poem and helps to create a sense of anticipation and excitement. The final stanza is particularly powerful because it captures the moment when the waiting finally comes to an end. This poem is a classic for a reason and it is definitely worth reading and analyzing.
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