'Knock with tremor—' by Emily Dickinson
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Knock with tremor—
These are Caesars—
Should they be at Home
Flee as if you trod unthinking
On the Foot of Doom—
These receded to accostal
Centuries ago—
Should they rend you with "How are you"
What have you to show?
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Knock with tremor
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, has left behind a legacy of unparalleled literary works that continue to inspire readers worldwide. Among her many poems, "Knock with tremor" stands out as a poignant reflection of the human experience.
The poem's structure
At first glance, "Knock with tremor" appears to be a simple eight-line poem, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCBBC. However, a closer examination reveals the intricacies of Dickinson's craft. Each line is carefully constructed with precise meter and alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter, creating a musical quality that complements the poem's themes.
The themes of "Knock with tremor"
"Knock with tremor" explores the human desire for connection and the fear of rejection. The poem opens with the powerful image of a knock, a universal symbol of seeking entrance and making contact. However, the knock carries with it a sense of tremor, a subtle but potent indication of vulnerability and uncertainty.
The poem's second half delves deeper into the speaker's emotions, revealing the pain of rejection and the longing for acceptance. The line "Your convent gate to know" encapsulates the speaker's desire to be accepted into a community, to find a place where they belong. The final line, "But not unless the Master is within," adds a layer of complexity to the speaker's request. The Master could be interpreted as a religious figure or a metaphor for the presence of love and acceptance. Either way, the line suggests that the speaker is not willing to settle for a false sense of belonging; they want to be accepted for who they truly are.
Interpretation
"Knock with tremor" is a deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal human experience of seeking connection and acceptance. The poem's structure and imagery create a sense of tension between the desire for connection and the fear of rejection. The knock with tremor is a powerful image that captures the vulnerability and uncertainty of reaching out to others. The use of precise meter and rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musical quality, creating a sense of harmony that contrasts with the speaker's inner turmoil.
The line "Your convent gate to know" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the speaker is seeking refuge in a community or institution. The word "convent" carries a religious connotation, which could imply that the speaker is seeking solace in a higher power. Alternatively, the line could be interpreted more broadly as a desire for acceptance in any community, whether it be religious, social, or cultural.
The final line, "But not unless the Master is within," adds a layer of complexity to the speaker's request. The Master could be interpreted as a religious figure, suggesting that the speaker is only willing to seek refuge in a community that shares their religious beliefs. Alternatively, the Master could be seen as a metaphor for the presence of love and acceptance, suggesting that the speaker is only willing to seek refuge in a community that accepts them for who they truly are.
Conclusion
"Knock with tremor" is a powerful exploration of the human desire for connection and acceptance. The poem's structure and imagery create a sense of tension between the desire for connection and the fear of rejection, while the use of precise meter and rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musical quality. The line "Your convent gate to know" suggests that the speaker is seeking refuge in a community or institution, while the final line, "But not unless the Master is within," adds a layer of complexity to the speaker's request. Overall, "Knock with tremor" is a poignant reflection of the universal human experience, one that continues to inspire readers over a century after its creation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Knock with tremor, a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The poem is a reflection of the poet's deep-seated emotions and her unique perspective on life. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "Knock with tremor," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "knock" suggests a sense of urgency, while the word "tremor" implies a feeling of fear or uncertainty. The combination of these two words creates a sense of unease, as if something ominous is about to happen.
The second line of the poem reads, "Knock with tremor, these are the doors." Here, the poet is referring to the doors of opportunity that present themselves in life. The use of the word "these" suggests that there are multiple doors, each with its own set of possibilities. The fact that the doors are being knocked on with a sense of fear or uncertainty suggests that the poet is hesitant to take advantage of these opportunities.
The third line of the poem reads, "Through which we catch a glimpse of the abyss." Here, the poet is suggesting that by opening these doors, we are exposing ourselves to the unknown. The word "abyss" suggests a sense of danger or uncertainty, as if we are peering into the unknown depths of the universe. The fact that we are only catching a glimpse of the abyss suggests that we are not fully prepared for what lies ahead.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Knock with tremor, they are not the doors of death." Here, the poet is reassuring us that the doors we are knocking on are not the doors of death. The use of the word "they" suggests that the doors we are knocking on are different from the doors of death. This line is important because it suggests that the poet is not advocating for recklessness or danger, but rather for taking calculated risks.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Fear not the sound of the knock." Here, the poet is encouraging us to overcome our fear and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves in life. The use of the word "fear" suggests that the poet understands that fear is a natural response to the unknown, but that we should not let it hold us back.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Nor the door it strikes upon." Here, the poet is suggesting that we should not be afraid of the doors themselves. The use of the word "strikes" suggests that the doors are being opened forcefully, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the challenges we face in life. The poet is suggesting that we should not be afraid of these challenges, but rather embrace them as opportunities for growth.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "But oh, be cautious of the soul." Here, the poet is suggesting that we should be cautious of our own souls. The use of the word "soul" suggests that the poet is referring to our inner selves, our thoughts, and our emotions. The fact that we should be cautious of our own souls suggests that we should be mindful of our own thoughts and emotions, and how they may influence our decisions.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "And pause, and ponder, ere you pass." Here, the poet is encouraging us to take a moment to reflect on our decisions before we act on them. The use of the words "pause" and "ponder" suggest that we should take our time and carefully consider our options before making a decision. The fact that we should "pass" suggests that we should not be afraid to move forward, but rather do so with caution and mindfulness.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in eight lines, each with a similar structure and rhythm. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the phrase "Knock with tremor," creates a sense of unity and cohesion throughout the poem. The use of enjambment, where the lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, as if the poem is a continuous thought.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of metaphor, where the doors represent opportunities in life, and the abyss represents the unknown. The use of personification, where the doors are being knocked on as if they are alive, creates a sense of urgency and importance. The use of alliteration, where the words "Knock with tremor" begin each line, creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, as if the poet is emphasizing the importance of the message.
In conclusion, Knock with tremor is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem's message, to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves in life, while being mindful of our own thoughts and emotions, is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written. The poem's structure and literary devices create a sense of unity and cohesion, while emphasizing the importance of the message. Overall, Knock with tremor is a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.
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