'"Secrets" is a daily word' by Emily Dickinson
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"Secrets" is a daily word
Yet does not exist—
Muffled—it remits surmise—
Murmured—it has ceased—
Dungeoned in the Human Breast
Doubtless secrets lie—
But that Grate inviolate—
Goes nor comes away
Nothing with a Tongue or Ear—
Secrets stapled there
Will emerge but once—and dumb—
To the Sepulchre—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Secrets by Emily Dickinson: A Detailed Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated American poets of all time. Her unique writing style and themes have inspired countless readers and poets from all over the world. In this literary analysis, we will be diving into one of her most captivating poems, "Secrets," and exploring its meaning, structure, and language.
Overview
"Secrets" is a daily word Yet does not exist— Muffled it is by breath And nods and winks and whispers.
This is the first stanza of "Secrets," and it sets the tone and theme for the rest of the poem. The speaker tells us that secrets are a daily word, something we encounter every day, yet they do not exist. This paradoxical statement suggests that secrets are not tangible, physical things that we can hold, touch, or see. Rather, they are intangible, ephemeral aspects of human communication that exist only in the minds of those who keep them.
The second line of the stanza, "Yet does not exist," reinforces this idea of the intangibility of secrets. Here, Dickinson uses negation to create a sense of something that is simultaneously present and absent. The paradoxical nature of this line reflects the paradoxical nature of secrets themselves.
The third and fourth lines of the stanza describe how secrets are conveyed through nonverbal communication. They are "Muffled [...] by breath / And nods and winks and whispers." This suggests that secrets are often hidden or concealed, communicated only through subtle gestures or signals.
Structure
"Secrets" is a short, three stanza poem with a simple, ABAB rhyme scheme. Each stanza consists of four lines, and the poem has a total of twelve lines. The simplicity of the structure mirrors the simplicity of the language and the theme of the poem.
Language
Despite its simplicity, the language of "Secrets" is rich with meaning and symbolism. One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way Dickinson uses negation to describe secrets. Throughout the poem, she uses words like "not," "nothing," and "does not exist" to create a sense of something that is absent or hidden. This mirrors the idea that secrets are often hidden or concealed, and that they exist only in the minds of those who keep them.
Another interesting aspect of the language of "Secrets" is the use of nonverbal communication. Dickinson describes how secrets are communicated through gestures like nods, winks, and whispers. This suggests that secrets are often hidden or concealed, and that they require a certain level of trust and intimacy between the people involved.
Finally, the language of the poem is notable for its ambiguity and open-endedness. Dickinson does not provide any specific examples of secrets, nor does she offer any clear interpretations of what secrets mean or why we keep them. This open-endedness allows readers to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the poem, making it a deeply personal and meaningful work.
Interpretation
So what does "Secrets" actually mean? Like many of Dickinson's poems, "Secrets" is open to interpretation, and there is no one "correct" answer. However, there are a few different ways we can approach the poem.
One way to interpret "Secrets" is to read it as a commentary on human communication and intimacy. The poem suggests that secrets are an important part of human communication, and that they require a certain level of trust and intimacy between the people involved. The fact that secrets are often communicated through nonverbal gestures like nods and winks suggests that they require a level of subtlety and nuance that is not present in more straightforward forms of communication.
Another way to interpret the poem is to read it as a commentary on the nature of truth and knowledge. The fact that secrets are intangible and ephemeral suggests that the truth itself is elusive and difficult to grasp. The fact that secrets are often hidden or concealed suggests that knowledge itself is often hidden or concealed, and that we must work hard to uncover it.
Finally, we can interpret the poem as a commentary on the human psyche and the concept of "the self." The fact that secrets exist only in the minds of those who keep them suggests that the self is inextricably tied to the things that we keep hidden from others. The fact that secrets are intangible and ephemeral suggests that the self is elusive and difficult to understand.
Conclusion
In "Secrets," Emily Dickinson offers a profound meditation on the nature of human communication, truth, knowledge, and the self. Through her use of language, structure, and symbolism, she creates a poem that is both simple and complex, open-ended and deeply personal. As readers, we are invited to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the poem, making it a work that is as timeless as it is universal.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Secrets: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Daily Word
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, was known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her poetry. Her daily word, "Secrets," is a prime example of her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful words.
In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of "Secrets" and explore how Dickinson's use of language and imagery contributes to the overall impact of the poem.
The Poem
Before we begin our analysis, let's take a look at the poem itself:
Secrets
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
At first glance, "Secrets" appears to be a poem about the power of books and poetry to transport us to other worlds and experiences. However, upon closer examination, we can see that the poem is about much more than that.
The Power of Secrets
The title of the poem, "Secrets," immediately draws our attention to the idea of hidden knowledge or information. Dickinson suggests that books and poetry hold secrets that can transport us to other lands and experiences. In this sense, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the power of knowledge and the transformative effect it can have on our lives.
Dickinson's use of the metaphor "There is no frigate like a book" emphasizes the power of books to take us on a journey. A frigate is a type of ship that is used for long-distance travel, and Dickinson is suggesting that books are the best way to travel to other lands and experiences. The use of the word "frigate" also suggests that reading is an adventure, and that books can take us on a journey that is just as exciting as traveling to a new place.
Similarly, the metaphor "Nor any coursers like a page of prancing poetry" emphasizes the power of poetry to transport us to other worlds. The word "coursers" refers to horses, and Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is like a horse that can take us on a journey through the imagination. The use of the word "prancing" suggests that poetry is playful and lively, and that it can take us on a journey that is full of joy and excitement.
Through these metaphors, Dickinson is suggesting that the power of books and poetry lies in their ability to take us on a journey of discovery. By reading books and poetry, we can explore new worlds and experiences, and we can gain knowledge and understanding that we might not have otherwise.
The Accessibility of Knowledge
One of the most striking aspects of "Secrets" is its emphasis on the accessibility of knowledge. Dickinson suggests that anyone, regardless of their social or economic status, can access the transformative power of books and poetry.
The line "This traverse may the poorest take without oppress of toll" emphasizes the idea that reading is accessible to everyone. The word "traverse" refers to a journey or a passage, and Dickinson is suggesting that even the poorest person can take this journey without having to pay a toll. This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that knowledge is not something that is reserved for the wealthy or the privileged, but is something that is available to everyone.
Similarly, the line "How frugal is the chariot that bears a human soul!" emphasizes the idea that the power of books and poetry is not dependent on material wealth. The word "frugal" suggests that the chariot that carries our soul is simple and unassuming, and that it is not dependent on wealth or luxury. This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the transformative power of knowledge is not dependent on material possessions, but is something that is available to everyone, regardless of their social or economic status.
The Power of Language and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "Secrets" is Dickinson's use of language and imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. Through her use of metaphors and vivid imagery, Dickinson is able to convey the transformative power of knowledge in a way that is both powerful and accessible.
For example, the metaphor "There is no frigate like a book" is a powerful way of conveying the idea that books have the power to transport us to other worlds and experiences. Similarly, the metaphor "Nor any coursers like a page of prancing poetry" is a powerful way of conveying the idea that poetry has the power to take us on a journey of discovery.
In addition to her use of metaphors, Dickinson also uses vivid imagery to convey the power of knowledge. The line "How frugal is the chariot that bears a human soul!" is a particularly powerful example of this. The image of a simple chariot carrying a human soul emphasizes the idea that the transformative power of knowledge is not dependent on material possessions, but is something that is available to everyone.
Conclusion
In "Secrets," Emily Dickinson celebrates the transformative power of knowledge and the accessibility of that knowledge to everyone, regardless of their social or economic status. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson is able to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both powerful and accessible.
Ultimately, "Secrets" is a poem about the power of knowledge to transform our lives and take us on a journey of discovery. It is a reminder that the transformative power of knowledge is available to everyone, and that we can all benefit from the secrets that books and poetry hold.
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