'Each Life Converges to some Centre' by Emily Dickinson
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Each Life Converges to some Centre—
Expressed—or still—
Exists in every Human Nature
A Goal—
Embodied scarcely to itself—it may be—
Too fair
For Credibility's presumption
To mar—
Adored with caution—as a Brittle Heaven—
To reach
Were hopeless, as the Rainbow's Raiment
To touch—
Yet persevered toward—sure—for the Distance—
How high—
Unto the Saint's slow diligence—
The Sky—
Ungained—it may be—by a Life's low Venture—
But then—
Eternity enable the endeavoring
Again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Each Life Converges to some Centre: A Close Reading of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her innovative use of language and her profound insights into the human condition. Her poem "Each Life Converges to some Centre" is a prime example of her unique style and her ability to capture the complexity of the human experience in a few lines of verse. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem, exploring its themes, symbols, and imagery.
Overview of the Poem
"Each Life Converges to some Centre" was first published in 1896, after Dickinson's death. The poem is written in the form of a quatrains (four-line stanzas), with an ABCB rhyme scheme. The poem consists of nine stanzas, each containing four lines, for a total of 36 lines. The poem is relatively short, but its brevity belies its depth and complexity.
Analysis of the Poem
"Each Life Converges to some Centre" is a meditation on life and death, on the journey that each person takes from birth to the grave. The poem begins with the assertion that "Each life converges to some centre," suggesting that every life has a purpose, a destination, a telos. However, the poem quickly complicates this assertion by noting that "Expressed or still." This qualifier raises the question of whether each life actually reaches its intended centre, or whether some lives are cut short or diverted from their intended path.
The poem then proceeds to describe the various stages of life, from "Childhood's lisping word" to "The dying eye." Each of these stages is associated with a particular image or symbol, such as "The Boy's first Love" or "The Mother's prayer." These images serve to evoke the emotional and psychological experiences that are associated with each stage of life. Moreover, these images suggest that each stage of life has its own centre, its own telos. For example, the Boy's first Love represents the centre of adolescence, the Mother's prayer represents the centre of motherhood, and the Dying eye represents the centre of death.
The poem then shifts focus to the idea of eternity, suggesting that our lives are but a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things. Dickinson writes, "Eternity enables the one / Each to his fate." This line suggests that each person has a fate, a destiny, that is determined by eternity. This fate is not determined by chance or circumstance, but rather by a higher power that is beyond human comprehension.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson writes, "None can evade the law / Each has his own." This line suggests that there is a universal law that governs all of our lives, a law that we cannot escape. However, the poem ends with the cryptic line, "Is just it, Ourselves / And Immortality." This line raises more questions than it answers. What exactly is "it"? Is "it" the law that governs our lives? Or is "it" something else entirely? And what does Dickinson mean by "Ourselves / And Immortality"? Is she suggesting that our identity is bound up with our immortality? Or is she suggesting that our fate is tied to our immortality in some way?
Themes and Symbols
"Each Life Converges to some Centre" is a complex poem that deals with a number of themes and symbols. Some of the most important themes and symbols in the poem include:
Life Stages
One of the key themes in the poem is the idea that life is a journey that consists of various stages, each with its own centre or telos. These stages include childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and death. Each stage is associated with a particular image or symbol, such as "The Boy's first Love" or "The Dying Eye." These images serve to evoke the emotions and experiences that are associated with each stage of life.
Fate and Destiny
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of fate and destiny. Dickinson suggests that each person has a fate that is determined by a higher power that is beyond human comprehension. This fate is not determined by chance or circumstance, but rather by a universal law that governs all of our lives. The poem suggests that we cannot escape our fate, but must accept it as part of the larger scheme of things.
Immortality
The final line of the poem, "Ourselves / And Immortality," suggests that our fate is somehow tied to our immortality. This line raises questions about the nature of immortality and its relationship to human identity. Is Dickinson suggesting that our identity is bound up with our immortality? Or is she suggesting that our fate is tied to our immortality in some other way?
Images and Symbols
The poem is rich in images and symbols that serve to evoke the emotional and psychological experiences that are associated with each stage of life. These images include "Childhood's lisping word," "The Boy's first Love," "The Mother's prayer," and "The dying eye." Each of these images serves to convey a particular aspect of the human experience, such as innocence, love, motherhood, and death.
Conclusion
"Each Life Converges to some Centre" is a complex and enigmatic poem that deals with a number of themes and symbols. The poem is a meditation on life and death, on the journey that each person takes from birth to the grave. The poem suggests that each life has a purpose, a destiny, that is determined by a higher power that is beyond human comprehension. The poem is rich in images and symbols that serve to evoke the emotional and psychological experiences that are associated with each stage of life. Ultimately, the poem raises more questions than it answers, leaving the reader to ponder the mysteries of life, death, and immortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Each Life Converges to some Centre: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem, “Each Life Converges to some Centre,” is a perfect example of her style and explores the idea that every life has a purpose and a destination.
The poem begins with the line, “Each life converges to some centre,” which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Dickinson is suggesting that every person’s life has a central point or purpose that they are working towards. This idea is further reinforced in the second line, “Expressed or still,” which suggests that this central point can be either outwardly expressed or kept hidden within.
The third line of the poem, “Exists the ominous spirit,” introduces a sense of foreboding and darkness. The word “ominous” suggests that there is something threatening or dangerous about this central point. Dickinson is suggesting that the journey towards this central point is not always easy and can be fraught with danger and uncertainty.
The fourth line of the poem, “Whose whiff is felt in the interval,” is a reference to the scent of death. Dickinson is suggesting that the journey towards this central point is a journey towards death. The “interval” refers to the time between birth and death, and the “whiff” is a reference to the scent of decay that is associated with death.
The fifth line of the poem, “Deity or dust,” is a reference to the two possible destinations of this journey. The “Deity” refers to a spiritual destination, while “dust” refers to a physical destination. Dickinson is suggesting that every person’s journey towards their central point can lead them to either a spiritual or physical destination.
The sixth line of the poem, “Roused from its slumbering,” suggests that the journey towards this central point is not always a conscious one. Dickinson is suggesting that sometimes people are not aware of their central point until they are “roused” from their slumbering.
The seventh line of the poem, “And marching on its way,” suggests that the journey towards this central point is a continuous one. Dickinson is suggesting that every person’s life is a journey towards their central point, and that this journey continues until they reach their destination.
The eighth line of the poem, “The soul supplants the play,” is a reference to the idea that the journey towards this central point is a serious one. Dickinson is suggesting that the journey towards this central point is not a game, but a serious and important journey that every person must take.
The ninth line of the poem, “Enlarges the dimensions of the day,” suggests that the journey towards this central point is a transformative one. Dickinson is suggesting that the journey towards this central point can change a person and make them see the world in a new way.
The final line of the poem, “All things are nothingness,” is a reference to the idea that everything in life is temporary. Dickinson is suggesting that the journey towards this central point is the only thing that truly matters, and that everything else is nothingness.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Each Life Converges to some Centre,” explores the idea that every person’s life has a central point or purpose that they are working towards. The journey towards this central point is not always easy and can be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but it is a journey that every person must take. The poem suggests that the journey towards this central point is a serious and transformative one, and that it is the only thing that truly matters in life. Dickinson’s unique style of writing and exploration of deep themes make this poem a classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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