'I keep my pledge' by Emily Dickinson
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I keep my pledge.
I was not called—
Death did not notice me.
I bring my Rose.
I plight again,
By every sainted Bee—
By Daisy called from hillside—
by Bobolink from lane.
Blossom and I—
Her oath, and mine—
Will surely come again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Keep My Pledge: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who lived a secluded life in Amherst, Massachusetts. Though her poetry was not recognized during her lifetime, it has since become widely celebrated for its unique style, themes, and imagery. One of her most intriguing poems is "I Keep My Pledge," a short but powerful piece that speaks to the complexities and contradictions of human nature. In this literary criticism, we will explore the meaning, symbolism, and literary techniques used in this poem.
The Poem
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself:
I keep my pledge.
I was not called—
Death did not notice me.
I bring my Rose.
I plight again,
By every sainted Bee—
By Daisy called from hillside—
Buds Timing low and high—
I bring my pledge to Paradise—
I give my Sacred Rose—
To every human Bee
That will not turn away.
At first glance, "I Keep My Pledge" appears to be a simple poem with a straightforward message. The speaker declares that they have kept their promise, despite not being recognized by Death. They then offer a rose as a pledge once again, this time to Paradise, and to every human who is willing to accept it. However, as we dig deeper into the text, we begin to see the layers of meaning and symbolism that make this poem so enigmatic and compelling.
The Analysis
The Pledge
The first line of the poem, "I keep my pledge," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is resolute in their determination to fulfill their promise, even in the face of Death. This suggests that the pledge is of great importance to them, and that they take their commitments seriously. However, we are not told what this pledge entails, leaving us to wonder about its significance.
Death
The next line, "I was not called—/Death did not notice me," is equally intriguing. The speaker implies that Death has some kind of power or authority over them, and that they have somehow managed to evade it. This could be interpreted as a victory over mortality, or as a defiance of fate. It could also be seen as a commentary on the arbitrary and unpredictable nature of death itself.
The Rose
The speaker then mentions a rose, which they bring as a pledge. Roses are often associated with love, beauty, and passion, but they can also symbolize death, sacrifice, and rebirth. In this context, the rose could represent the speaker's commitment to their pledge, as well as their willingness to make sacrifices for it. Its fragility and fleeting nature could also be seen as a reflection of the impermanence of life itself.
The Bees
The speaker then swears their pledge "By every sainted Bee—/By Daisy called from hillside—/Buds Timing low and high." Bees are often seen as symbols of hard work, diligence, and community. In this context, they could represent the speaker's determination to fulfill their pledge, as well as their connection to the natural world. The daisy and buds could be seen as symbols of growth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life.
Paradise
The speaker then brings their pledge to Paradise, which can be interpreted in a number of ways. Paradise could be seen as a literal place, such as the Christian concept of heaven. It could also be seen as a metaphor for a state of bliss or enlightenment. Alternatively, it could represent the speaker's own internal state of being, or their personal journey towards fulfillment.
The Human Bees
Finally, the speaker offers their sacred rose "To every human Bee/That will not turn away." This could be interpreted as a call for unity and community, or as a reflection of the speaker's desire to share their commitment with others. However, it could also be seen as a warning against indifference or apathy. By emphasizing the importance of not turning away, the speaker suggests that their pledge is not something to be taken lightly.
The Interpretation
So what does "I Keep My Pledge" mean? Like many of Emily Dickinson's poems, it can be interpreted in a variety of ways. However, one possible reading is that it is a meditation on the human condition. The speaker's pledge could represent a personal goal, a spiritual quest, or a commitment to a higher purpose. By bringing their pledge to Paradise and offering it to others, the speaker suggests that this goal is not just personal, but universal.
The bees, daisy, and buds could symbolize the interconnectedness of all living things, and the speaker's connection to nature. By swearing their pledge by these natural elements, the speaker acknowledges the importance of the environment in achieving their goal.
Death could represent the ultimate obstacle to the speaker's pledge, and their ability to evade it could be seen as a triumph over mortality. However, it could also represent the inevitability of death, and the speaker's willingness to face it bravely.
The rose, meanwhile, could symbolize the beauty and fragility of life, as well as the speaker's commitment to their pledge. By offering it to others, the speaker suggests that their goal is worth sharing and spreading.
Overall, "I Keep My Pledge" is a haunting and enigmatic poem that offers multiple layers of meaning and interpretation. By exploring its themes and symbols, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and the challenges we face in pursuing our goals. Emily Dickinson's unique style and imagery make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Keep My Pledge: A Poem of Loyalty and Devotion
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and move readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "I Keep My Pledge," a powerful and moving piece that speaks to the themes of loyalty, devotion, and commitment. 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 speaker declaring, "I keep my pledge." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the speaker's unwavering commitment to a promise or vow. The word "pledge" itself carries a sense of solemnity and obligation, suggesting that the speaker has made a serious commitment that they take very seriously.
The next line of the poem reads, "I keep my pledge, when the storm-clouds gather." Here, we see the first instance of symbolism in the poem, as the storm-clouds represent a metaphorical obstacle or challenge that the speaker must face. The fact that the speaker is able to keep their pledge even in the face of adversity shows their strength of character and their unwavering devotion to their promise.
The third line of the poem reads, "I keep my pledge, when the sun shines fair." Here, we see the second instance of symbolism, as the sun represents a metaphorical reward or benefit that the speaker may receive for keeping their pledge. However, the fact that the speaker declares their commitment to their pledge regardless of whether or not they receive any reward shows that their loyalty is not motivated by self-interest, but rather by a sense of duty and honor.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "I keep my pledge, when the harvests fail." Here, we see the third instance of symbolism, as the failed harvests represent a metaphorical setback or disappointment that the speaker may experience. However, the fact that the speaker remains committed to their pledge even in the face of disappointment shows their resilience and their ability to persevere through difficult times.
The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "Choking on a smile, I keep my pledge." Here, we see the speaker's emotional state as they struggle to maintain their commitment to their pledge. The phrase "choking on a smile" suggests that the speaker is putting on a brave face even as they may be experiencing inner turmoil or conflict. This line also serves to emphasize the difficulty of keeping a pledge, as it requires not only outward action but also inner strength and fortitude.
Overall, "I Keep My Pledge" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the themes of loyalty, devotion, and commitment. Through its use of symbolism and imagery, the poem conveys the challenges and rewards of keeping a pledge, as well as the emotional and psychological toll that such a commitment can take. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the importance of honor and duty, and the value of staying true to one's word even in the face of adversity.
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