'Abraham to kill him—' by Emily Dickinson
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Abraham to kill him—
Was distinctly told—
Isaac was an Urchin—
Abraham was old—
Not a hesitation—
Abraham complied—
Flattered by Obeisance
Tyranny demurred—
Isaac—to his children
Lived to tell the tale—
Moral—with a Mastiff
Manners may prevail.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Abraham to kill him: a literary analysis of Emily Dickinson's classic poem
As a fan of Emily Dickinson's poetry, I was excited to dive into one of her most iconic pieces: "Abraham to kill him." The title alone is enough to evoke a plethora of emotions and questions. Who is Abraham? Who is he supposed to kill? What does this have to do with Dickinson's poetic style?
First, a brief summary of the poem:
Abraham to kill him— Was distinctly told— Isaac was an Urchin— Abraham was old—
Not a hesitation— Abraham complied— Flattered by Obeisance Tyranny demurred—
Isaac—to his children Lived to tell the tale— Moral—of the story— Make the will prevail—
At first glance, the poem appears to be a retelling of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, in which God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test of his faith. However, Dickinson adds her own twist to the tale, creating a new moral to the story.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its brevity. Dickinson was known for her sparse, elliptical style of writing, and "Abraham to kill him" is no exception. At only six lines long, the poem packs a powerful punch. Each line is carefully crafted to convey a specific meaning or emotion.
The opening line, "Abraham to kill him—", immediately sets the tone for the poem. The abruptness of the statement is jarring, and the lack of context makes the reader wonder who exactly is going to be killed. The dash at the end of the line creates a pause, drawing the reader in and making them eager to find out more.
The second line provides a bit more information, but still leaves plenty of questions unanswered. Who is Isaac? Why is Abraham being told to kill him? The word "urchin" is particularly interesting, as it conjures up an image of a small, helpless child. This creates a sense of unease in the reader, as they begin to question the morality of Abraham's actions.
The third and fourth lines are perhaps the most unsettling. "Not a hesitation—/Abraham complied—" Dickinson's use of enjambment here is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of urgency and inevitability. Abraham's obedience, without any hesitation or protest, is deeply disturbing. This is compounded by the use of the word "flattered" in the next line. It is unclear who is flattering Abraham, but the implication is that he is being manipulated into carrying out this heinous act.
The fifth line, "Isaac—to his children/Lived to tell the tale—" is a bit more hopeful. It suggests that Isaac was spared, and was able to go on and have a family of his own. However, the use of the word "tell" is interesting. It implies that the story of his near-sacrifice was passed down through the generations, becoming a cautionary tale.
Finally, the last line of the poem, "Moral—of the story—/Make the will prevail—" is a clear departure from the original biblical story. Rather than being a test of faith, Abraham's willingness to kill his own son is portrayed as a failure of will. The implication is that we should always stand up for what is right, even in the face of authority or pressure from others.
In conclusion, "Abraham to kill him" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that speaks to Dickinson's skill as a poet. Through her sparse yet evocative language, she is able to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few short lines. Her reimagining of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac is both unsettling and inspiring, leaving the reader with plenty to ponder long after the poem has ended.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson's poem "Abraham to kill him" is a haunting and thought-provoking piece of literature that delves into the complexities of faith, sacrifice, and obedience. The poem is based on the biblical story of Abraham, who was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith. Dickinson's poem takes a unique perspective on the story, exploring the emotions and thoughts of Abraham as he prepares to carry out this gruesome task.
The poem begins with the line "Abraham to kill him," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "kill" is jarring and unsettling, and it immediately captures the reader's attention. The next line, "Was strongly urged," suggests that Abraham is not acting of his own free will, but rather is being compelled to carry out this act by a higher power. This creates a sense of tension and conflict within the poem, as the reader is left to wonder whether Abraham truly believes in the righteousness of his actions, or if he is simply following orders.
The next few lines of the poem describe Abraham's preparations for the sacrifice. He gathers wood, sharpens his knife, and binds his son. These actions are described in a matter-of-fact way, without any emotional commentary from the narrator. This creates a sense of detachment and distance, as if the narrator is simply reporting the facts of the story without passing judgment on the characters involved.
As the poem progresses, however, we begin to see glimpses of Abraham's inner turmoil. He questions whether he is doing the right thing, and wonders if God truly wants him to sacrifice his son. He thinks about the pain and suffering that Isaac will experience, and wonders if he is strong enough to carry out this task. These moments of doubt and hesitation humanize Abraham, and make him a more relatable and sympathetic character.
The turning point of the poem comes in the final stanza, when Abraham hears a voice from heaven telling him to stop. This moment of divine intervention is unexpected and powerful, and it completely changes the tone of the poem. Suddenly, Abraham is no longer a man on the brink of committing a terrible act, but rather a man who has been saved from making a terrible mistake. The final lines of the poem, "And Isaac, with a mighty bound, / Stood forth before his father's face," are filled with a sense of relief and joy. The fact that Isaac is unharmed and able to stand before his father is a testament to the power of faith and the mercy of God.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way that Dickinson uses language to create a sense of tension and conflict. The use of the word "kill" in the first line is a prime example of this. By choosing such a strong and violent word, Dickinson immediately creates a sense of unease and discomfort in the reader. This tension is then sustained throughout the poem, as Abraham prepares to carry out the sacrifice and wrestles with his own doubts and fears.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way that Dickinson explores the theme of obedience. Abraham is often held up as a model of obedience and faith, but this poem challenges that notion. By showing Abraham's doubts and hesitations, Dickinson suggests that blind obedience is not always the right course of action. Instead, she suggests that true faith requires a willingness to question and challenge one's own beliefs.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Abraham to kill him" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the complexities of faith, sacrifice, and obedience. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of tension and conflict that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged until the very end. The poem's message is ultimately one of hope and redemption, as Abraham is saved from making a terrible mistake and Isaac is spared from harm. This message is a testament to the power of faith and the mercy of God, and it is a message that continues to resonate with readers today.
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