'You said that I "was Great"—one Day' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
738
You said that I "was Great"—one Day—
Then "Great" it be—if that please Thee—
Or Small—or any size at all—
Nay—I'm the size suit Thee—
Tall—like the Stag—would that?
Or lower—like the Wren—
Or other heights of Other Ones
I've seen?
Tell which—it's dull to guess—
And I must be Rhinoceros
Or Mouse—
At once—for Thee—
So say—if Queen it be—
Or Page—please Thee—
I'm that—or nought—
Or other thing—if other thing there be—
With just this Stipulus—
I suit Thee—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that left you pondering about its meaning for days? Something that resonated with you on a deeper level, making you question the very essence of your existence? For me, that poem is "You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" by Emily Dickinson.
In this 8-line piece of art, Dickinson explores the theme of identity and how it can be shaped by the words of others. She acknowledges the power of compliments and how they can affect us in profound ways, but also questions the sincerity behind such flattery.
Let's dive deep into this poem and unravel its many layers.
Form and Structure
First things first, let's talk about the form and structure of the poem. "You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" is a short lyric poem with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. It consists of two quatrains, each with alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter.
The poem's brevity and simplicity are characteristic of Dickinson's style, which often employed short lines, dashes, and unconventional punctuation. However, this simplicity is deceptive, for it belies the complex ideas and emotions that Dickinson conveys through her words.
Analysis
Now, let's unpack the poem line by line.
You said that I "was Great"—one Day—
The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with a direct address to an unnamed individual who has complimented the speaker in the past. The use of quotation marks around "was Great" suggests that the speaker is questioning the sincerity of the compliment or perhaps its lasting value.
Then "Great" it be—if that please Thee—
Or small—or any size at all—
In these lines, the speaker acknowledges the power of words and how they can shape one's identity. She suggests that the compliment of being "Great" can be both a blessing and a curse depending on how it is received. The use of the word "Thee" implies that the speaker is addressing a higher power or authority figure who has the ability to confer greatness on her.
Nay—’T is the size of thee!
Perhaps—Majesty—
How sure—’T is—Kinsmen, pause upon this—
Surest—if You will—
In these final lines, the speaker questions the nature of greatness and where it comes from. She suggests that it is not a fixed state but rather a reflection of the person who confers it. The use of the word "Majesty" implies that greatness is often associated with power and authority, but the speaker encourages her audience to pause and reflect on what greatness truly means.
Interpretation
So, what does this poem mean? What is Dickinson trying to tell us?
At its core, "You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" is a meditation on the nature of identity and how it can be shaped by the words of others. The speaker acknowledges that compliments can be powerful but also suggests that they can be insincere or fleeting.
Moreover, the poem questions the very nature of greatness and what it means to be "Great." Is it a fixed state or something that can change over time? Is it a reflection of one's own qualities or something conferred by others?
Ultimately, the poem suggests that the true measure of greatness lies not in external validation but in the individual's own sense of self-worth. The speaker encourages her audience to pause and reflect on what truly matters in life and not to place too much emphasis on the opinions of others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal human experience of seeking validation and questioning one's identity. Through her simple yet profound words, Dickinson reminds us that the true measure of greatness lies not in external validation but in our own sense of self-worth.
As a reader, I find myself returning to this poem time and again, each time discovering new layers of meaning and insight. And that, my friends, is the mark of great poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
You said that I "was Great"—one Day: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire generations of readers. Her poem "You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the complexities of relationships. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The Poem
You said that I "was Great"—one Day—
Then "Great" it be—if that please thee—
Or Small—or any size at all—
Nay—I'm the size suit thee—
Tall—like the Stag—would that?
Or lower—like the Wren—
Or other heights of Other Ones
I've seen—
Tell which—it's dull to guess—
And I must be Rhinoceros
Or Mouse—
At once—a Woolly Horse
Were best—
Or Mouse—
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker recalling a conversation where someone had called her "great" at some point in the past. The speaker then goes on to say that if being "great" pleases the person, then she will be "great." However, she also says that she can be any size that the person wants her to be, even if it is small. The speaker then asks the person to tell her which size they prefer, as it is "dull to guess."
The speaker then goes on to list various sizes that she can be, such as tall like a stag or lower like a wren. She also mentions that she has seen other heights of other people, but she wants the person to tell her which size they prefer. The speaker then says that she must be either a rhinoceros or a mouse, and that a woolly horse would be the best option. She ends the poem by repeating the word "mouse."
Explanation
The poem is a commentary on the expectations that people have of each other in relationships. The speaker is willing to be whatever size the person wants her to be, even if it means being small. This shows that the speaker is willing to compromise her own identity for the sake of the relationship. However, the speaker also wants the person to tell her which size they prefer, as it is "dull to guess." This shows that the speaker wants the person to be honest about their expectations, rather than expecting her to guess what they want.
The speaker then goes on to list various sizes that she can be, such as tall like a stag or lower like a wren. This shows that the speaker is willing to be anything that the person wants her to be, as long as they are honest about their expectations. The speaker also mentions that she has seen other heights of other people, but she wants the person to tell her which size they prefer. This shows that the speaker is aware that everyone is different, and that she is willing to adapt to the person's expectations.
The speaker then says that she must be either a rhinoceros or a mouse, and that a woolly horse would be the best option. This shows that the speaker is willing to be anything, even if it means being a rhinoceros or a mouse. The repetition of the word "mouse" at the end of the poem emphasizes the speaker's willingness to be small and insignificant, if that is what the person wants.
Overall, the poem is a commentary on the expectations that people have of each other in relationships. The speaker is willing to compromise her own identity for the sake of the relationship, but she also wants the person to be honest about their expectations. The poem is a reminder that relationships require honesty and communication, and that people should not have to compromise their own identity to please someone else.
Conclusion
"You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of human emotions and the complexities of relationships. The poem is a commentary on the expectations that people have of each other in relationships, and it emphasizes the importance of honesty and communication. The poem is a reminder that people should not have to compromise their own identity to please someone else, and that relationships require mutual respect and understanding. Emily Dickinson's works continue to inspire generations of readers, and "You said that I 'was Great'—one Day" is a testament to her genius as a poet.
Editor Recommended Sites
Data Integration - Record linkage and entity resolution & Realtime session merging: Connect all your datasources across databases, streaming, and realtime sourcesDev Use Cases: Use cases for software frameworks, software tools, and cloud services in AWS and GCP
Roleplay Metaverse: Role-playing in the metaverse
Crypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Privacy Ads: Ads with a privacy focus. Limited customer tracking and resolution. GDPR and CCPA compliant
Recommended Similar Analysis
They Were Welcome To Their Belief by Robert Frost analysisI measure every grief I meet by Emily Dickinson analysis
An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow by Les Murray analysis
Conscientious Objector by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
Sweeney Among the Nightingales by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Past And Future by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
A Pact by Ezra Pound analysis
The Wind in the Hemlock by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Acquainted With The Night by Robert Lee Frost analysis