'Within my reach!' by Emily Dickinson
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Within my reach!
I could have touched!
I might have chanced that way!
Soft sauntered thro' the village—
Sauntered as soft away!
So unsuspected Violets
Within the meadows go—
Too late for striving fingers
That passed, an hour ago!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Within my reach! by Emily Dickinson: A Close Reading and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is regarded as one of the most innovative and enigmatic poets in American literature. Her poems, with their unconventional syntax, capitalization, and punctuation, as well as their intense emotional depth, have captured the imaginations of readers for over a century.
One of Dickinson's short and powerful poems, "Within my reach!" (1861), expresses the speaker's desire to achieve a transcendental state of consciousness. In this essay, I will provide a close reading and interpretation of this poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The Poem
Within my reach!
I could have touched!
I might have chanced that way!
Soft sauntered through the village,
Sauntered as soft away!
Softer than the seraphim
All could have had I willed!
In willing but a service
Vesper could be filled!
A Close Reading
The poem begins with the exclamation "Within my reach!" This phrase suggests that the speaker is on the verge of attaining something that is highly desirable but elusive. The repetition of the word "reach" also implies a sense of urgency and longing.
The second line, "I could have touched!" reinforces the idea that the speaker is close to achieving her goal. The word "could" suggests that there was a missed opportunity or a failure to act. The line also creates a tactile image of the speaker's outstretched hand, which adds to the sense of immediacy and intimacy.
The third line, "I might have chanced that way!" introduces the idea of chance or fate. The word "might" implies that the speaker was not certain whether she would have achieved her goal, but there was a possibility. The phrase "chanced that way" also suggests that the speaker was contemplating a risky or unconventional path.
The fourth line, "Soft sauntered through the village," creates a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. The soft alliteration of the "s" sound adds to the calmness of the scene. The speaker is not rushing or running but is walking at a leisurely pace.
The fifth line, "Sauntered as soft away!" echoes the previous line's softness and creates a sense of retreat or departure. The speaker is moving away from something, and the softness reinforces the idea that the speaker is not trying to draw attention to herself.
The sixth line, "Softer than the seraphim," introduces a religious reference. Seraphim is a term used to describe a type of angel in the Bible. The comparison suggests that the speaker's movements were not only calm and peaceful but also divine or heavenly.
The seventh line, "All could have had I willed!" reinforces the idea that the speaker had the power or ability to achieve her goal. The word "all" suggests that the goal was all-encompassing or all-consuming.
The eighth line, "In willing but a service," suggests that the speaker's goal was not self-serving but rather a service to someone or something else. The phrase "In willing" implies that the speaker's desire to achieve the goal was not enough, and action was required.
The final line, "Vesper could be filled!" provides a sense of closure or resolution. Vesper refers to the evening prayer service in the Catholic Church. The line suggests that the speaker's goal was to fill the service with something, perhaps a spiritual or emotional presence.
Interpretation
The poem "Within my reach!" is a meditation on the nature of desire and the power of intention. The speaker is on the verge of achieving something, but the opportunity has passed. The poem suggests that our desires are within our reach, but we must be willing to take risks and act on our intentions to achieve them.
The poem's religious references suggest that the speaker's desire is not purely material but rather spiritual or emotional. The comparison to seraphim reinforces the idea that the speaker's movements were not only peaceful but also divine. The final line's reference to Vesper suggests that the speaker's goal was to fill the evening prayer service with something intangible, such as a sense of peace or holiness.
The poem's language and imagery create a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The repetition of the word "reach" and the tactile image of the speaker's outstretched hand create a sense of urgency and longing. The soft alliteration of the "s" sound in the fourth and fifth lines creates a sense of calmness and peace.
The poem's structure, with its short and compact lines, reinforces the idea that the speaker's goal is within her reach but requires action to achieve. The poem's brevity also suggests that the speaker's desire is not a complex or convoluted one but rather a simple and straightforward one.
Conclusion
"Within my reach!" is a short and powerful poem that explores the themes of desire and intention. The speaker is on the verge of achieving something but misses the opportunity. The poem suggests that our desires are within our reach, but we must be willing to take risks and act on our intentions to achieve them. The poem's religious references and language and imagery create a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The poem's brevity reinforces the idea that the speaker's desire is not a complex or convoluted one but rather a simple and straightforward one. Overall, "Within my reach!" is a timeless meditation on the power of desire and intention that still resonates with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Within My Reach!: An Analysis of 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 around the world. One of her most famous poems is "Within My Reach!", a powerful and evocative piece that explores the themes of hope, possibility, and the human spirit. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its meaning, symbolism, and significance.
The poem begins with the line "Within my reach!" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is filled with a sense of excitement and possibility, as if they have just discovered something wonderful that they can now grasp and hold onto. This sense of excitement is reinforced by the exclamation mark at the end of the line, which adds emphasis and energy to the words.
The second line of the poem reads "I could have touched!", which further emphasizes the idea of something being within reach. The speaker is tantalizingly close to whatever it is they are reaching for, and the use of the word "could" suggests that they have missed an opportunity to grasp it. This creates a sense of urgency and regret, as if the speaker is lamenting a missed chance.
The third line of the poem reads "I might have chanced that way!", which adds another layer of meaning to the piece. The word "chanced" suggests that the speaker is taking a risk or a gamble, and that there is a possibility of failure or disappointment. However, the fact that they are willing to take this chance suggests that they are filled with hope and optimism, and that they believe that the rewards will be worth the risk.
The fourth line of the poem reads "Soft sauntered through the village", which introduces a new element to the piece. The word "sauntered" suggests a slow and leisurely pace, as if the speaker is taking their time and enjoying the journey. The fact that they are moving "through the village" suggests that they are part of a community, and that they are surrounded by other people who are also on their own journeys.
The fifth line of the poem reads "Sauntered as soft away!", which suggests that the speaker is moving away from the village and towards something new and unknown. The use of the word "soft" adds a sense of gentleness and tranquility to the piece, as if the speaker is moving towards something that is peaceful and calming.
The sixth line of the poem reads "So unsuspected violets", which introduces a new element of symbolism to the piece. Violets are often associated with love, beauty, and innocence, and their appearance in the poem suggests that the speaker is moving towards something that is pure and beautiful. The fact that they are "unsuspected" suggests that the speaker is discovering something new and unexpected, and that they are filled with a sense of wonder and amazement.
The seventh line of the poem reads "Vie with the wide heaven", which adds another layer of symbolism to the piece. The word "vie" suggests a competition or a struggle, and the fact that the violets are competing with the "wide heaven" suggests that the speaker is reaching for something that is beyond their grasp. However, the fact that the violets are able to compete with the heavens suggests that the speaker is filled with a sense of determination and resilience, and that they are willing to fight for what they believe in.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads "Whiten jostled miles", which brings the piece to a close. The word "whiten" suggests a sense of purity and clarity, as if the speaker has reached a place of enlightenment or understanding. The fact that the miles are "jostled" suggests that the journey has not been easy, and that the speaker has faced obstacles and challenges along the way. However, the fact that they have reached their destination suggests that they have overcome these challenges and emerged stronger and more resilient.
In conclusion, "Within My Reach!" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of hope, possibility, and the human spirit. Through its use of symbolism, imagery, and language, the poem captures the excitement and wonder of discovery, as well as the challenges and obstacles that we must overcome in order to reach our goals. Whether we are reaching for something as simple as a flower or as complex as a dream, this poem reminds us that anything is possible if we are willing to take a chance and believe in ourselves.
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