'I tried to think a lonelier Thing' by Emily Dickinson
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I tried to think a lonelier Thing
Than any I had seen—
Some Polar Expiation—An Omen in the Bone
Of Death's tremendous nearness—
I probed Retrieverless things
My Duplicate—to borrow—
A Haggard Comfort springs
From the belief that Somewhere—
Within the Clutch of Thought—
There dwells one other Creature
Of Heavenly Love—forgot—
I plucked at our Partition
As One should pry the Walls—
Between Himself—and Horror's Twin—
Within Opposing Cells—
I almost strove to clasp his Hand,
Such Luxury—it grew—
That as Myself—could pity Him—
Perhaps he—pitied me—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I tried to think a lonelier Thing" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is known for her unconventional and often enigmatic poetry. Among her works is the poem "I tried to think a lonelier Thing," which has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation. In this literary criticism, I will explore the different interpretations of the poem and provide my own analysis.
Poem Text and Context
Before delving into the poem, it is important to understand its context. Emily Dickinson was a reclusive poet who lived most of her life in her family's house in Amherst, Massachusetts. She wrote over 1,700 poems in her lifetime, but only a few were published during her lifetime. "I tried to think a lonelier Thing" was written sometime in the mid-1860s and was not published until after her death in 1886.
The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with short lines and irregular capitalization and punctuation. It consists of four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem reads as follows:
I tried to think a lonelier Thing
Than any I had seen --
Some Polar Expiation -- An Omen in the Bone
Of Death's tremendous nearness -- I proffered him
An earnest Thumb -- indicating
That reviewless Company
In which I had found him --
The Polar Bear
Herself in the Daneffields,
Was scarce so isolate as I --
Of her Districts, if repealed
The Tycoon gave -- his Reindeer
Would not suffice --
Better the Toad within the Opthalm --
Better the Victim in the Robe --
Than I -- supplanted at the Foot
Of Anaconda’s Majesty.
Interpretations of the Poem
"I tried to think a lonelier Thing" has been interpreted in various ways since it was first published. Some have suggested that the poem is about Dickinson's fear of death and the loneliness that comes with it. Others have interpreted the poem as a commentary on the isolation of the artist, with the Polar Bear representing the artist and the Tycoon representing society.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is about Dickinson's struggle with depression. The Polar Expiation and Omen in the Bone could represent the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of despair, with no escape. The line "Better the Toad within the Opthalm -- / Better the Victim in the Robe -- / Than I" could suggest that Dickinson would rather be any other creature than herself, as she struggles with her mental health.
Analysis of the Poem
While all of the interpretations of the poem are valid, I believe that "I tried to think a lonelier Thing" is primarily about Dickinson's experience of isolation and loneliness. The poem begins with the speaker trying to "think a lonelier Thing / Than any I had seen." This suggests that the speaker has already experienced a great deal of loneliness and is searching for something even more isolated.
The second stanza describes the Polar Expiation and Omen in the Bone. These could be seen as metaphors for the speaker's own sense of nearness to death and the feeling of being trapped in a lonely existence. The speaker then proffers an earnest thumb, indicating that there is a company in which she has found the Polar Expiation. This could suggest that the speaker has found some sort of comfort in this isolation, but also acknowledges the nearness of death.
The third stanza reveals that even the Polar Bear in the Daneffields is not as isolated as the speaker. This line is particularly poignant, as the Polar Bear is often considered one of the loneliest animals in the world. The Tycoon and Reindeer could represent society and the ways in which it fails to provide a sense of belonging for those who are isolated.
The final stanza suggests that the speaker would rather be any other creature than herself, "supplanted at the Foot / Of Anaconda's Majesty." This could be seen as a metaphor for the ways in which the speaker feels overshadowed by others and unable to find her own place in the world. The use of the word "supplanted" suggests that the speaker feels displaced and replaced by others.
Overall, "I tried to think a lonelier Thing" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of isolation and loneliness. While the poem can be interpreted in multiple ways, I believe that its primary message is about the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a world that often fails to provide it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I tried to think a lonelier Thing" is a powerful and enigmatic poem by Emily Dickinson. While the poem has been interpreted in multiple ways, I believe that its primary message is about the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a world that often fails to provide it. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the human experience in a few short lines.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing: A Poem of Solitude and Isolation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her poetry. Her poem "I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" is a perfect example of her talent, as it explores the theme of solitude and isolation in a way that is both haunting and beautiful.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that they "tried to think a lonelier thing than any I had seen." This immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is clearly searching for something that is beyond the realm of their own experience. The use of the word "lonelier" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of deep sadness and isolation that is at the heart of the poem.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the various things they have seen in their search for something lonelier. They mention "a single hermit" and "a star," both of which are traditionally associated with solitude and isolation. However, the speaker quickly dismisses these things as not being lonely enough, stating that "the loneliness includes itself / And loses itself in its own" - in other words, the loneliness they are searching for is so profound that it cannot be found in any external object or person.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to describe the nature of this loneliness in more detail. They state that it is "too vast for sound" and "too mighty for the ear," suggesting that it is something that cannot be fully comprehended by the senses. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the idea of the ineffable - that which cannot be expressed in words.
The speaker goes on to describe the loneliness as "like the stillness in the air / Between the heaves of storm." This is a powerful metaphor, as it suggests that the loneliness is not just a lack of human companionship, but something much deeper and more elemental. It is the stillness that exists at the heart of all things, the calm before the storm.
The poem then takes another turn, as the speaker begins to question the nature of this loneliness. They ask whether it is "a loneliness like that of space," suggesting that it is something vast and infinite, beyond human comprehension. They also ask whether it is "a loneliness like that of death," suggesting that it is something final and absolute, beyond the reach of human experience.
The poem ends with the speaker stating that they have failed in their quest to think a lonelier thing. They say that "no one knows whether loneliness / Tramples down the world," suggesting that this loneliness is not just a personal experience, but something that has the power to affect the entire world. The final lines of the poem are particularly haunting: "Lonelier things there are than death, / Than God's- or than the spoken word." This suggests that the loneliness the speaker has been searching for is something that is beyond even the most fundamental aspects of human existence - death, God, and language itself.
Overall, "I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the theme of solitude and isolation in a way that is both profound and deeply moving. Dickinson's use of language is particularly effective, as she manages to convey the ineffable nature of this loneliness in a way that is both beautiful and unsettling. This is a poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it, and is a testament to Dickinson's talent as a poet.
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