'Like eyes that looked on Wastes' by Emily Dickinson
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Like eyes that looked on Wastes—
Incredulous of Ought
But Blank—and steady Wilderness—
Diversified by Night—
Just Infinites of Nought—
As far as it could see—
So looked the face I looked upon—
So looked itself—on Me—
I offered it no Help—
Because the Cause was Mine—
The Misery a Compact
As hopeless—as divine—
Neither—would be absolved—
Neither would be a Queen
Without the Other—Therefore—
We perish—tho' We reign—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes" by Emily Dickinson
Introduction
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated American poets of all time, writes in her poem "Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes" about the human condition and the nature of perception. In this poem, she uses the metaphor of a pair of eyes to explore the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the power of imagination. Through her vivid imagery, Dickinson creates a powerful work of literature that speaks to readers across generations.
Literary Criticism
The first thing that strikes the reader about "Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes" is the rich and evocative language that Dickinson employs. She describes the eyes as "wild" and "strange," imbuing them with a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. This choice of language serves to heighten the sense of unease and isolation that permeates the poem.
Dickinson's use of the word "wastes" in the title is also significant. The word suggests a barren and inhospitable landscape, a place devoid of life or meaning. This sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for the bleak and desolate imagery that follows.
In the first stanza, Dickinson describes the eyes as "looking inward." This suggests a focus on the internal rather than the external, a preoccupation with the self rather than the world around us. This theme of introspection is a recurring motif in Dickinson's work, and it is one that lends itself well to the poem's exploration of loneliness and isolation.
The second stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. Dickinson writes that the eyes are "lonely" and that they have "never seen a tree." This image of a pair of eyes that have never experienced the beauty of nature is a poignant one, and it speaks to the idea that human beings are often cut off from the world around them. This idea is reinforced by the line "they seem not to know that they are blind," which suggests a lack of awareness or understanding of the world beyond the self.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson writes that the eyes are "like a face that does not stir," suggesting a lack of emotion or feeling. The line "they say that all the dead are there" is also open to interpretation. It may be a reference to death itself or to the idea that the eyes are somehow cut off from the world of the living.
Interpretation
The poem "Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes" can be read as a meditation on the human condition. Dickinson suggests that we are often cut off from the world around us, trapped in our own heads and unable to truly connect with others. This sense of isolation and loneliness is a common theme in her work, and it is one that resonates with readers today.
The metaphor of the eyes is a powerful one, as it suggests a fundamental aspect of human perception. We see the world through our eyes, and yet often we are unable to fully understand or appreciate what we see. Dickinson's use of the word "wastes" in the title is also significant, as it suggests a sense of barrenness or emptiness. This is a world that has been stripped of meaning, a world in which human beings are adrift and alone.
The image of the eyes that have never seen a tree is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that human beings are often cut off from nature. We live in cities and towns, surrounded by concrete and steel, and we forget the beauty and wonder of the natural world. This disconnect from nature is a recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and it is one that she returns to time and again.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most difficult to interpret. Dickinson writes that the eyes are "like a face that does not stir," suggesting a lack of emotion or feeling. This may be a reference to the idea that human beings are often emotionally disconnected from the world around us. We observe, but we do not truly feel. The line "they say that all the dead are there" is also open to interpretation. It may be a reference to the idea that the eyes are somehow dead, cut off from the world of the living.
Conclusion
In "Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes," Emily Dickinson creates a powerful work of literature that explores the human condition and the nature of perception. Through her vivid imagery and evocative language, she creates a sense of isolation and loneliness that resonates with readers today. The metaphor of the eyes is a fitting one, as it suggests a fundamental aspect of human perception. This is a poem that speaks to the power of imagination and the importance of connection with the world around us. It is a work of literature that continues to inspire and captivate readers across generations.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes: A Poem of Desolation and Hope
Emily Dickinson's poem "Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes" is a haunting and evocative work that captures the essence of desolation and hopelessness. The poem is a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we confront the emptiness and despair that can sometimes overwhelm us. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Dickinson creates a world that is both bleak and beautiful, a world that is at once terrifying and awe-inspiring.
The poem begins with a description of a landscape that is barren and lifeless. Dickinson writes, "Like eyes that looked on Wastes—/ Incredulous of Ought/ But Blank—and steady Wilderness/ Diversified by Night—". The image of "eyes that looked on Wastes" is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of emptiness and despair that is all-encompassing. The landscape itself is described as "Blank—and steady Wilderness", a place that is devoid of life and movement. The only thing that breaks the monotony of this desolate world is the night, which "Diversified" the landscape, but even this is a fleeting and temporary respite from the emptiness.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of hope, and the ways in which we can find meaning and purpose in the midst of despair. Dickinson writes, "Not all the Frankincense/ Nor all the Pompery—/ Remain—my Baffled Lip—/ When I would search for Thee—". The reference to "Frankincense" and "Pompery" suggests a sense of ritual and ceremony, perhaps even religious devotion. But even these things are not enough to fill the emptiness that the speaker feels. Instead, she must search for something deeper and more meaningful, something that will give her life purpose and meaning.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson describes the ways in which we confront our own mortality, and the inevitability of death. She writes, "The Day came slow—till Five o'clock—/ Then sprang before the Hills/ Like Hindered Rubies—or the Light/ A Sudden Musket—feels—". The image of the day "coming slow" suggests a sense of dread and foreboding, as if the speaker is waiting for something terrible to happen. And when the day finally arrives, it is described in terms of violence and destruction, as if the very act of living is a kind of battle that we must fight.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem returns to the idea of hope, and the ways in which we can find meaning and purpose in the face of despair. Dickinson writes, "The Hillsides—must have heard—/ The Sighing—of the Herd—/ And every Bird that stirred—/ Was like a Rustling—in the Woods—". The image of the hillsides "hearing" the sighing of the herd suggests a sense of empathy and connection, as if the natural world is aware of our struggles and is there to support us. And the image of the birds rustling in the woods suggests a sense of movement and life, a reminder that even in the midst of despair, there is still beauty and wonder to be found.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we confront the emptiness and despair that can sometimes overwhelm us. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Dickinson creates a world that is both bleak and beautiful, a world that is at once terrifying and awe-inspiring. And yet, even in the face of this desolation, there is still hope, still the possibility of finding meaning and purpose in the midst of despair. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was when Dickinson first wrote these words, and one that we would do well to remember as we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of our own lives.
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