'Severer Service of myself' by Emily Dickinson


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Severer Service of myself
I—hastened to demand
To fill the awful Vacuum
Your life had left behind—

I worried Nature with my Wheels
When Hers had ceased to run—
When she had put away Her Work
My own had just begun.

I strove to weary Brain and Bone—
To harass to fatigue
The glittering Retinue of nerves—
Vitality to clog

To some dull comfort Those obtain
Who put a Head away
They knew the Hair to—
And forget the color of the Day—

Affliction would not be appeased—
The Darkness braced as firm
As all my stratagem had been
The Midnight to confirm—

No Drug for Consciousness—can be—
Alternative to die
Is Nature's only Pharmacy
For Being's Malady—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Severer Service of Myself by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Analysis

Have you ever read a poem that leaves you with a sense of ambiguity? Severer Service of Myself by Emily Dickinson is one such poem. It is a poem that not only challenges the reader's interpretation skills but also challenges the reader's fundamental understanding of poetry. In this essay, I will provide a critical analysis of the poem and attempt to interpret its complex meanings.

Context of the poem

Emily Dickinson was known for her poems that explored themes such as death, nature, and love. However, Severer Service of Myself is a departure from her usual themes. The poem was written during the mid-1860s, a period when Dickinson was moving away from traditional forms of religion and exploring her own spirituality. It is believed that the poem was inspired by the philosophy of self-reliance, which was popularized by the American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Poetic structure and literary devices

Severer Service of Myself is a short poem that consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GHGH. The use of this rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality, which makes it easier to read and understand.

The poem is full of literary devices that help to convey its meaning. One of the devices used in the poem is personification. For instance, the speaker personifies "myself" in the first stanza when she says, "I'll serve myself with a notice." The use of personification helps to create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The speaker compares her "faithful service" to "servitude" in the second stanza. By using this metaphor, the speaker suggests that serving oneself can be just as demanding as serving someone else.

The use of alliteration is also evident in the poem. For example, in the third stanza, the speaker uses the phrase "Signal bells" to describe the sounds of her soul. The use of alliteration helps to create a sense of rhythm, which makes the poem more engaging.

Themes of the poem

Severer Service of Myself explores several themes, including self-reliance, faith, and spirituality. The poem suggests that serving oneself is just as important as serving others. The speaker implies that by serving oneself, one can become more self-aware and find a deeper connection with the divine.

The poem also suggests that self-reliance is a necessary component of spiritual growth. By relying on oneself, one can become more independent and less reliant on external sources of validation. This theme is evident in the second stanza when the speaker says, "No service will I shirk." The use of the word "shirk" suggests that the speaker is determined to take responsibility for her own spiritual growth.

Interpretation of the poem

Severer Service of Myself is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation of the poem is that it suggests that spirituality is a personal journey that requires self-reflection and self-reliance. By serving oneself, one can become more self-aware and find a deeper connection with the divine.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it suggests that self-reliance is a necessary component of personal growth. By taking responsibility for one's own spiritual growth, one can become more independent and less reliant on external sources of validation.

The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of traditional forms of religion. The speaker suggests that traditional forms of religion rely too heavily on external sources of validation and fail to encourage self-reflection and self-reliance.

Conclusion

Severer Service of Myself is a powerful poem that challenges the reader's understanding of poetry. The poem explores themes such as self-reliance, faith, and spirituality, and suggests that serving oneself is just as important as serving others. By using literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and alliteration, the poem creates a sense of intimacy and musicality that makes it engaging to read. Overall, Severer Service of Myself is a thought-provoking poem that invites the reader to reflect on their own spiritual journey.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Severer Service of myself: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her writing. Her poem, Severer Service of myself, is a classic example of her work, and it has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and readers alike for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "Severer Service of myself," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "severer" suggests that the speaker is about to embark on a difficult journey, one that will require sacrifice and dedication. The phrase "of myself" also implies that this journey is an internal one, a struggle within the speaker's own mind and soul.

The second line of the poem reads, "To sing this single Tune." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has a specific goal in mind, a singular purpose that they are striving to achieve. The word "sing" is also important, as it implies that the speaker's journey is a creative one, and that they are using their voice to express themselves.

The third line of the poem reads, "Journeying, not Jesting." This line reinforces the idea that the speaker's journey is a serious one, and that they are not taking it lightly. The word "journeying" suggests that the speaker is on a physical journey, but it could also be interpreted as a metaphorical journey, one that involves personal growth and self-discovery.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Tis' not for Fitness' sake." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker's journey is not motivated by a desire to be physically fit or healthy. Instead, it implies that the journey is motivated by something deeper, something more spiritual or emotional.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "That I must strain my Ankle." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's journey is not an easy one. The word "strain" implies that the journey is difficult and that the speaker will face obstacles along the way. The word "ankle" is also interesting because it suggests that the speaker's journey is a physical one, and that they will need to be strong and resilient in order to complete it.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "No! 'Tis the Last and the Lonesomest." This line is perhaps the most significant in the entire poem, as it suggests that the speaker's journey is a solitary one. The word "lonesomest" implies that the speaker will be alone on their journey, and that they will need to rely on their own strength and resilience in order to complete it. The word "last" is also interesting because it suggests that the journey is a final one, perhaps the last journey that the speaker will ever take.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Miles to go before I sleep." This line is perhaps the most famous in the entire poem, and it has been interpreted in many different ways. Some readers interpret it as a literal journey, with the speaker traveling a great distance before they can rest. Others interpret it as a metaphorical journey, with the speaker needing to accomplish a great deal before they can find peace and rest. Regardless of how it is interpreted, this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's journey is a long and difficult one, and that they will need to be patient and persistent in order to complete it.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "And Miles to go before I sleep." This line is a repetition of the previous line, and it serves to reinforce the idea that the speaker's journey is ongoing. The word "sleep" is also interesting because it suggests that the speaker's journey is a tiring one, and that they will need to rest and recharge in order to continue.

In terms of structure, Severer Service of myself is a relatively simple poem, with eight lines and a consistent rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs, or metrical feet. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality, and it helps to reinforce the idea that the speaker's journey is a steady and persistent one.

In terms of meaning, Severer Service of myself is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. Some readers interpret it as a metaphor for the journey of life, with the speaker needing to overcome obstacles and challenges in order to find peace and rest. Others interpret it as a metaphor for the creative process, with the speaker needing to work hard and persevere in order to create something meaningful and lasting.

Regardless of how it is interpreted, Severer Service of myself is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us that life is a journey, and that we must be patient and persistent in order to achieve our goals and find peace and rest. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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