'We never know how high we are' by Emily Dickinson
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We never know how high we are
Till we are asked to rise
And then if we are true to plan
Our statures touch the skies—
The Heroism we recite
Would be a normal thing
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp
For fear to be a King—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
We Never Know How High We Are
Emily Dickinson, the American poet, is known for her unconventional style of writing. Her poetry often deals with themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous works is the poem "We Never Know How High We Are" which was published posthumously in 1890 in the third series of her poetry collection. This poem is a reflection on the limitations of human perception, and the ways in which we are unaware of our own potential.
Analysis
The poem begins with a paradoxical statement: "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The words are simple, but the message is profound. Dickinson is suggesting that we are unaware of our own potential until we are faced with a challenge that forces us to rise to the occasion. This idea is reinforced in the next lines of the poem: "And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies."
The word "plan" in this context refers to a goal or purpose that we have set for ourselves. Dickinson is suggesting that if we are true to our aspirations, then we will reach great heights. However, it is interesting to note that she does not say that we will definitely reach our goals. The word "if" introduces an element of uncertainty, implying that success is not guaranteed.
The second stanza of the poem explores the consequences of not reaching our full potential. Dickinson writes, "The Heroism we recite / Would be a daily thing, / Did not ourselves the Cubits warp / For fear to be a King." The word "Heroism" here refers to the act of rising to a challenge and achieving greatness. Dickinson is saying that if we were able to recognize our own potential, then acts of heroism would be commonplace. However, she suggests that we are held back by our own fears and insecurities. The phrase "the Cubits warp" refers to the Biblical story of King Saul, who was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. In the story, Saul was initially hesitant to accept the role of king because he did not believe that he was worthy. He eventually accepted the position, but his insecurities led to his downfall. Dickinson is suggesting that we are all like Saul, held back by our own fears and insecurities.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action: "For, indeed, that's all who ever have, / A mind for new events, / In pages that are still unwrit, / Our courage dwells within." Dickinson is saying that only those who have the courage to face new challenges are able to achieve greatness. The phrase "in pages that are still unwrit" refers to the idea that the future is unwritten, and that we have the power to shape our own destiny. Our courage, she suggests, is what allows us to do this.
Interpretation
"We Never Know How High We Are" is a poem about the human condition. Dickinson is suggesting that we are all capable of achieving greatness, but that we are held back by our own fears and insecurities. She is also suggesting that we are often unaware of our own potential until we are faced with a challenge that forces us to rise to the occasion.
The poem is a call to action, urging us to recognize our own potential and to have the courage to face new challenges. It is a reminder that we have the power to shape our own destiny, and that the future is unwritten.
Conclusion
"We Never Know How High We Are" is a beautiful poem that speaks to the universal human experience. It is a reminder that we are all capable of achieving greatness, but that we must first recognize our own potential and have the courage to face new challenges. Emily Dickinson's words are simple, but they carry a powerful message that is still relevant today. As we navigate the challenges of our lives, let us remember that our courage is what allows us to rise to the occasion and reach great heights.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Never Know How High We Are: A Poem of Self-Discovery
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, wrote a poem that speaks to the human condition of self-discovery. In "We Never Know How High We Are," Dickinson explores the idea that we often underestimate our own potential and the heights we can reach if we only believe in ourselves.
The poem begins with the line, "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that we are often unaware of our own capabilities until we are faced with a challenge that requires us to rise to the occasion. The use of the word "called" implies that there is a higher power or force that is urging us to reach our full potential.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of self-discovery, as Dickinson writes, "And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies." Here, Dickinson suggests that if we are true to ourselves and our goals, we can reach heights that we never thought possible. The use of the word "statures" is significant, as it implies that our physical height is not what is important, but rather our personal growth and development.
In the third stanza, Dickinson writes, "The Heroism we recite / Would be a daily thing, / Did not ourselves the Cubits warp / For fear to be a King." Here, Dickinson suggests that we often hold ourselves back from achieving greatness out of fear. The use of the word "Heroism" implies that we have the potential to be heroes in our own lives, but we often choose not to be because we are afraid of the responsibility that comes with it. The phrase "did not ourselves the Cubits warp" refers to the biblical story of Moses, who was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When God asked Moses to lead his people, Moses replied that he was not capable of such a task because he was "slow of speech and tongue." God then asked Moses, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." In other words, God was telling Moses that he had the potential to be a great leader, but he was holding himself back out of fear.
The final stanza of the poem reads, "The height of our ambition / Like leaves reached for the sun, / Unto the Artist's diligent hand, / May hint at what we are." Here, Dickinson suggests that our ambitions are like leaves reaching for the sun, in that they are a natural part of our growth and development. The phrase "unto the Artist's diligent hand" implies that there is a higher power or force that is guiding us towards our true potential. The final line, "May hint at what we are," suggests that our ambitions are a reflection of our true selves, and that by pursuing them, we can discover who we truly are.
In conclusion, "We Never Know How High We Are" is a poem that speaks to the human condition of self-discovery. Dickinson suggests that we often underestimate our own potential and the heights we can reach if we only believe in ourselves. She also suggests that we hold ourselves back out of fear, and that our ambitions are a reflection of our true selves. This poem is a reminder that we all have the potential to be heroes in our own lives, and that by pursuing our ambitions, we can discover who we truly are.
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