'The' by Emily Dickinson

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The Sun—just touched the Morning—
The Morning—Happy thing—
Supposed that He had come to dwell—
And Life would all be Spring!

She felt herself supremer—
A Raised—Ethereal Thing!
Henceforth—for Her—What Holiday!
Meanwhile—Her wheeling King—
Trailed—slow—along the Orchards—
His haughty—spangled Hems—
Leaving a new necessity!
The want of Diadems!

The Morning—fluttered—staggered—
Felt feebly—for Her Crown—
Her unanointed forehead—
Henceforth—Her only One!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Soul selects her own Society by Emily Dickinson

Oh, what an exquisite poem! There is something about the cadence of this poem that lingers on long after it is read, something that makes it stand out among the crowd of other poems. It never fails to move me with its depth and intensity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will endeavor to explore the nuances of The Soul selects her own Society, decipher its hidden meaning, and uncover the layers of emotions that it evokes.

The Poem

Before we embark on our exploration, let us first take a look at the poem itself.

The Soul selects her own Society—
Then—shuts the Door—
To her divine Majority—
Present no more—

Unmoved—she notes the Chariots—pausing—
At her low Gate—
Unmoved—an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat—

I've known her—from an ample nation—
Choose One—
Then—close the Valves of her attention—
Like Stone—

The Interpretation

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough, but upon closer inspection, we realize the depth of the emotions it encompasses. The poem is an ode to the human soul and its agency to select its own society, to choose who it wants to associate itself with, and to shut the door to those who do not fit the bill. The poem is structured in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are witnessing a private moment, a moment that is shared between the soul and the reader.

At the start of the poem, the speaker talks about how the soul selects its own society, how it has the power to choose who it wants to be associated with. The soul is not bound by convention, by the opinions of others, or by societal norms. The soul has agency and autonomy, and it exercises it without hesitation.

The line "Then—shuts the Door—" is crucial to the poem as it signifies the soul's decision to close itself off to the outside world. The soul is selective, and it does not waste its time on things or people that do not fulfill its purpose. The soul knows what it wants, and it goes after it with a single-minded focus.

The next line, "To her divine Majority—Present no more—" indicates that the soul is not interested in the majority of people or things that are present in the world. The soul is not swayed by the majority opinion; it does not seek validation from the outside world. Instead, it follows its own path, carving its journey through life on its own terms.

The second stanza of the poem describes the soul's reaction to the world outside. The soul is unmoved by the chariots that pause at its low gate or an emperor kneeling on its mat. These symbols represent power and wealth, the things that the world values most. However, the soul is not impressed by these things. It does not seek material wealth or power. Instead, it values something more profound, something more meaningful.

The final stanza of the poem is where the soul's agency is truly highlighted. The speaker talks about how they have known the soul from an ample nation, how the soul has a broad range of choices. However, the soul chooses one, and it closes the valves of its attention like stone. This line is evocative, and it creates a sense of finality. The soul knows what it wants, and it blocks out everything else. The soul is steadfast in its decision, and it does not sway.

The Themes

The Soul selects her own Society is a poem that touches upon several themes that are relevant even today. The most significant theme of the poem is agency. The soul has agency, and it exercises it without hesitation. The soul is not swayed by the opinions of others, nor does it seek validation from the outside world. The soul knows what it wants, and it goes after it with a single-minded focus.

Another theme that the poem touches upon is the idea of individualism. The soul is an individual, and it chooses to associate itself with those who share its values and beliefs. The soul does not follow the herd; it follows its path, carving out its journey through life on its terms.

The third theme that the poem touches upon is the idea of power. The soul is not impressed by the chariots or the emperor kneeling on its mat. The soul does not seek material wealth or power. Instead, it values something more profound, something more meaningful.

The Style

The style of the poem is unique and distinctive. The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza being a self-contained unit. The rhyme scheme used in the poem is ABCB, creating a sense of symmetry and balance. The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful, with the words chosen carefully to create a sense of depth and meaning.

The poem's tone is contemplative and introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the soul's agency and power. The poem creates a sense of quiet contemplation, with the reader feeling as if they are witnessing a private moment.

The Symbolism

The poem is rich in symbolism, with each line and stanza offering several layers of meaning. The chariots that pause at the soul's low gate represent material wealth and power. The emperor kneeling on the soul's mat represents those who seek validation from the outside world. The soul is unmoved by these symbols, indicating that it does not seek material wealth or validation from the outside world.

The stone that the soul uses to close the valves of its attention represents finality and steadfastness. The soul knows what it wants, and it blocks out everything else. The stone creates a sense of permanence, indicating that the soul's decision is final.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, The Soul selects her own Society by Emily Dickinson is a masterpiece of poetry that touches upon several themes that are relevant even today. The poem highlights the soul's agency, individualism, and power, and it does so in a unique and distinctive style. The symbolism used in the poem creates a sense of depth and meaning, with each line and stanza offering several layers of interpretation. The Soul selects her own Society is a poem that lingers on long after it is read, a testament to Emily Dickinson's incredible talent and mastery of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The poem "The Brain is wider than the Sky" by Emily Dickinson is a classic piece of literature that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "The Brain is wider than the Sky," which immediately captures the reader's attention. This line is a bold statement that challenges the traditional notion that the sky is the limit. Dickinson suggests that the human brain is capable of surpassing the boundaries of the physical world and reaching beyond what we can see and touch.

The second line of the poem reads, "For, put them side by side, The one the other will include With ease, and you beside." This line further emphasizes the idea that the brain is more expansive than the sky. Dickinson suggests that the brain has the ability to encompass everything that the sky contains and more. The use of the word "include" suggests that the brain has the power to contain and comprehend all that is around us.

The third line of the poem reads, "The Brain is deeper than the sea." This line is another bold statement that challenges the traditional notion that the sea is the deepest thing in the world. Dickinson suggests that the human brain is capable of delving deeper than the sea and exploring the depths of the human psyche. The use of the word "deeper" suggests that the brain has the power to explore the unknown and the uncharted territories of the mind.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "For, hold them, Blue to Blue, The one the other will absorb, As sponges, buckets do." This line further emphasizes the idea that the brain has the power to absorb and comprehend everything around us. Dickinson suggests that the brain is like a sponge that can soak up all the information and experiences that we encounter in our lives.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "The Brain is just the weight of God." This line is perhaps the most profound and thought-provoking line in the entire poem. Dickinson suggests that the human brain is a reflection of the divine and that it has the power to connect us to a higher power. The use of the word "God" suggests that the brain has the power to transcend the physical world and connect us to something greater than ourselves.

The final line of the poem reads, "For, lift them, pound for pound, And they will differ, if they do, As syllable from sound." This line is a powerful conclusion to the poem. Dickinson suggests that the brain and the sky are different in their essence, but they are both equally important and valuable. The use of the metaphor "syllable from sound" suggests that the brain and the sky are like two different parts of a whole, each contributing to the overall beauty and complexity of the world around us.

In conclusion, "The Brain is wider than the Sky" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional notions of the limits of human knowledge and understanding. Dickinson suggests that the human brain is capable of surpassing the boundaries of the physical world and connecting us to something greater than ourselves. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and elegant manner. It is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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