'I got so I could take his name' by Emily Dickinson
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I got so I could take his name—
Without—Tremendous gain—
That Stop-sensation—on my Soul—
And Thunder—in the Room—
I got so I could walk across
That Angle in the floor,
Where he turned so, and I turned—how—
And all our Sinew tore—
I got so I could stir the Box—
In which his letters grew
Without that forcing, in my breath—
As Staples—driven through—
Could dimly recollect a Grace—
I think, they call it "God"—
Renowned to ease Extremity—
When Formula, had failed—
And shape my Hands—
Petition's way,
Tho' ignorant of a word
That Ordination—utters—
My Business, with the Cloud,
If any Power behind it, be,
Not subject to Despair—
It care, in some remoter way,
For so minute affair
As Misery—
Itself, too vast, for interrupting—more—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I got so I could take his name" by Emily Dickinson
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is a poet who is renowned for her unique and unconventional writing style. When it comes to her poems, there is always more than what meets the eye. One of her most intriguing works is "I got so I could take his name." The poem presents an interesting perspective on love and relationships, and it's not hard to see why it has captivated the hearts of many readers.
Overview of the Poem
"I got so I could take his name" is a poem that explores the speaker's journey towards accepting her lover's name. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, using slant rhyme, unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and a blend of metaphors and imagery. The poem is divided into four stanzas, with the first three stanzas each consisting of three lines, and the final stanza comprising four lines.
Analysis of the Poem
The First Stanza
In the first stanza, the speaker speaks of her reluctance to take her lover's name. She says, "I got so I could take his name—/Without—Tremendous gain—." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that accepting her lover's name is not an easy task. The phrase "Without—Tremendous gain—" highlights the effort required to overcome her reluctance.
The speaker uses the slant rhyme of "name" and "gain" to draw the reader's attention to the fact that the two words are connected. Dickinson's use of slant rhyme in this stanza is successful in creating a sense of subtle harmony that manages to capture the reader's attention.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza continues the theme of reluctance. The speaker says, "That would have shaken Worcester—/Her and her slippery smile—." Here, the speaker is referencing Worcester, Massachusetts, which was known for being a conservative town in the 1800s. By mentioning Worcester, Dickinson is suggesting that accepting her lover's name would be seen as a rebellious act by others.
The speaker describes Worcester's smile as "slippery," which is an interesting choice of word. The word "slippery" implies that Worcester's smile is insincere and deceitful. This description is significant because it suggests that society might judge someone who accepts her lover's name as deceitful or untrustworthy.
The Third Stanza
The third stanza shifts the focus of the poem from reluctance to acceptance. The speaker says, "Yet, we, who have to marry, /We are as brave as they—." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that getting married is a step that requires bravery. By using the word "brave," the speaker is implying that accepting her lover's name is a difficult and bold step.
The speaker also uses the word "we" to create a sense of unity between herself and the reader. This unity is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not alone in her struggles. In this stanza, the reader is encouraged to identify with the speaker's struggle to accept her lover's name.
The Fourth Stanza
The fourth stanza is the most straightforward of all the stanzas. The speaker says, "Courageous words for a—/Day that struggles so—." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that accepting her lover's name is not just a personal struggle, but it is also a struggle for society as a whole.
The phrase "Day that struggles so" is powerful because it suggests that society is still grappling with the issue of women changing their names after marriage. This line is also significant because it highlights the speaker's courage in the face of societal pressure.
Interpretation of the Poem
"I got so I could take his name" can be interpreted in a number of different ways. On a surface level, the poem is about the speaker's journey towards accepting her lover's name. However, on a deeper level, the poem is a commentary on societal expectations surrounding marriage and relationships.
The poem suggests that society still places a great deal of pressure on women to change their names after marriage. The fact that the speaker acknowledges the struggle involved in accepting her lover's name suggests that this is not a decision that should be taken lightly.
Interestingly, Dickinson does not provide a solution to the issue of women changing their names. Instead, the poem encourages readers to acknowledge the difficulty of the decision and to support those who make the choice to keep their maiden names.
Conclusion
"I got so I could take his name" is a thought-provoking and introspective poem that explores the speaker's journey towards accepting her lover's name. The poem is written in Emily Dickinson's signature style, using slant rhyme, unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and a blend of metaphors and imagery.
The poem is significant because it highlights the societal pressure placed on women to change their names after marriage. It encourages readers to acknowledge the difficulty of the decision and to support those who make the choice to keep their maiden names.
Overall, "I got so I could take his name" is a powerful and insightful poem that continues to resonate with readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Got So I Could Take His Name: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her work continues to inspire and captivate readers around the world. One of her most famous poems is "I Got So I Could Take His Name," a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, examining its meaning, structure, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's artistry and vision.
The poem begins with a simple declaration: "I got so I could take his name." At first glance, this line may seem straightforward, but upon closer examination, it reveals a great deal about the speaker's identity and her relationship with the man in question. By "taking his name," the speaker is not simply referring to marriage or a legal name change. Rather, she is claiming a deeper connection to the man, one that goes beyond mere words or titles. She is claiming a part of him, a piece of his identity that she has internalized and made her own.
The second line of the poem, "Without Trembling," adds another layer of complexity to the speaker's declaration. By stating that she can take his name without trembling, she is suggesting that this act of claiming his identity is not without its challenges or fears. It takes courage and strength to claim another person's name as one's own, and the speaker is acknowledging the difficulty of this task while also asserting her ability to overcome it.
The third line of the poem, "If he should steal one day," introduces a new element to the speaker's declaration. Here, she is acknowledging the possibility that the man may take something from her, whether it be a physical possession or an emotional connection. Despite this potential loss, however, the speaker remains steadfast in her claim to his name. She is willing to risk everything for this connection, even if it means facing the pain of loss or betrayal.
The fourth line of the poem, "I have a way to follow him," further emphasizes the speaker's deep connection to the man. She is not simply following him in a physical sense, but rather in a spiritual or emotional sense. She has internalized his identity to such a degree that she can follow him wherever he goes, even if he is not physically present.
The fifth line of the poem, "Though I may come to die," adds a note of finality to the speaker's declaration. She is willing to follow the man even unto death, suggesting that her connection to him is not just a passing fancy or a fleeting infatuation. It is a deep and abiding love that transcends the boundaries of life and death.
The sixth and final line of the poem, "So I can say to those who ask me why," provides a sense of closure to the speaker's declaration. She is not simply claiming the man's name for her own sake, but also for the sake of others who may question her motives or her identity. By taking his name, she is asserting her own sense of self and her own place in the world.
In terms of structure, "I Got So I Could Take His Name" is a six-line poem with a simple ABABCC rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate given the theme of claiming another person's identity as one's own. The repetition of the "I got so I could" phrase also adds a sense of rhythm and momentum to the poem, driving the speaker's declaration forward with a sense of purpose and determination.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson employs several techniques to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. One of the most notable is the use of metaphor, particularly in the phrase "I got so I could take his name." By using the act of taking someone's name as a metaphor for claiming their identity, Dickinson is able to explore complex themes of love, identity, and self-discovery in a simple and evocative way.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition, particularly in the phrase "I got so I could." This repetition serves to emphasize the speaker's determination and her sense of purpose, while also adding a sense of rhythm and momentum to the poem.
Finally, Dickinson employs imagery to enhance the poem's emotional impact. The phrase "Without Trembling" conjures up images of fear and uncertainty, while the line "Though I may come to die" evokes a sense of finality and inevitability. These images serve to deepen the poem's emotional resonance, making it a powerful and memorable work of art.
In conclusion, "I Got So I Could Take His Name" is a classic poem that explores complex themes of love, identity, and self-discovery in a simple and evocative way. Through its use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery, the poem captures the speaker's deep connection to the man in question, as well as her determination to claim his identity as her own. It is a work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers around the world, and a testament to Emily Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.
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