'We never know we go when we are going—' by Emily Dickinson
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We never know we go when we are going—
We jest and shut the Door—
Fate—following—behind us bolts it—
And we accost no more—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
We never know we go when we are going: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her work continues to captivate and intrigue readers even today. Her poems are known for their unconventional style and themes, and "We never know we go when we are going" is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into this poem, exploring the various literary devices used by Dickinson and the underlying meaning of the poem.
Background and Context
Before we analyze the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, during the 19th century. She was a recluse and wrote poetry prolifically throughout her life, but very little of her work was published while she was alive. In fact, it was only after her death that her sister discovered her poems and began to share them with the world.
"We never know we go when we are going" was written in 1862, during the height of the American Civil War. Dickinson's poetry often reflects the political and social turmoil of her time, but this poem is more introspective in nature. It explores the nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. It is a deeply philosophical poem that forces the reader to confront their own mortality.
Analysis of the Poem
Now let's take a closer look at the poem itself. "We never know we go when we are going" is a short poem, consisting of only four lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism.
We never know we go when we are going, We jest and shut the door; Fate ← flies → we know not whither, But a ←anyway, → know we go.
The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a statement of fact that is both unsettling and thought-provoking. Dickinson is telling us that we are all going somewhere, but we don't know where we are going. The idea of not knowing our destination is both frightening and exciting. We often take life for granted and assume that we have all the time in the world, but Dickinson is reminding us that we are always moving towards an unknown destination.
The second line of the poem is interesting because it introduces the concept of jesting. Dickinson is suggesting that we are often distracted by trivial matters and fail to take our own mortality seriously. We shut the door on the reality of death and pretend that it doesn't exist. This is a common coping mechanism that people use to deal with the inevitability of death. However, Dickinson is urging us to confront this reality and to live our lives in a more meaningful way.
The third line of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. It introduces the concept of fate and suggests that it is flying towards us. This line is rich in symbolism and has been interpreted in many different ways. Some critics argue that Dickinson is suggesting that fate is beyond our control and that we are at the mercy of a higher power. Others suggest that fate is a metaphor for death and that we are all moving towards our inevitable demise.
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful. Dickinson is suggesting that while we may not know where we are going, we do know that we are going somewhere. This line suggests that there is an inherent meaning and purpose to our lives, even if we don't understand it. It is a reminder that we should embrace life and make the most of the time that we have.
Literary Devices
Dickinson's poetry is known for its use of literary devices, and "We never know we go when we are going" is no exception. The poem is rich in symbolism and metaphor, and it uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.
One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "we never know we go" is repeated twice in the first line of the poem, creating a sense of emphasis and urgency. This repetition is also used to create a sense of symmetry in the poem. The first and last lines of the poem are almost identical, creating a sense of closure and finality.
The poem also uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repetition of the "w" sound in the first line of the poem creates a sense of movement and flow, mimicking the idea of going somewhere. The use of alliteration also makes the poem more memorable and helps to emphasize the key themes and ideas.
Interpretation and Meaning
So what is the underlying meaning of "We never know we go when we are going"? The poem is a meditation on the nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. Dickinson is reminding us that we are all moving towards an unknown destination and that we should make the most of the time that we have. She is urging us to confront our own mortality and to live our lives in a more meaningful way.
The use of the word "fate" in the poem is particularly interesting. Dickinson is suggesting that there may be a higher power controlling our lives and that we are at the mercy of this power. This idea is unsettling, but it is also a reminder that we should be humble and grateful for the time that we have. We should embrace the uncertainties of life and make the most of the opportunities that come our way.
Finally, the poem is a reminder that there is an inherent meaning and purpose to our lives, even if we don't understand it. We may not know where we are going, but we do know that we are going somewhere. This line is both hopeful and comforting, suggesting that there is more to life than just the physical world. It is a reminder that we should embrace life and make the most of the time that we have.
Conclusion
"We never know we go when we are going" is a powerful poem that forces the reader to confront their own mortality. Dickinson's use of literary devices and her exploration of the nature of human existence make this poem a timeless masterpiece. It is a reminder to live our lives in a more meaningful way and to make the most of the time that we have. As we shut the door on the reality of death, let us also remember that we are all moving towards an unknown destination, and that we should make every moment count.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Never Know We Go When We Are Going: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "We never know we go when we are going," a short but powerful piece that explores the mysteries of life and death. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line "We never know we go when we are going," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "we" suggests that the speaker is not alone in their experience, but rather that this is a universal truth that applies to all of us. The phrase "we never know we go" is particularly interesting, as it implies that we are always in a state of transition, moving from one place or state of being to another, without ever fully realizing it.
The next line, "We jest and shut the door," adds a sense of playfulness to the poem, as if the speaker is teasing us for not being aware of our own movements. The use of the word "jest" suggests that the speaker is not being entirely serious, but rather is trying to make a point in a lighthearted way. The image of shutting the door also adds to this sense of playfulness, as if we are closing ourselves off from the truth of our own existence.
The third line, "Fate following behind," introduces the idea of fate or destiny, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The use of the word "following" suggests that fate is always present, even if we are not aware of it. This line also implies that our movements are not entirely under our own control, but rather are guided by some greater force.
The fourth line, "Leaving the door ajar," is perhaps the most enigmatic of the poem. The image of leaving the door open suggests that there is a possibility for us to become aware of our own movements, but it is not clear how this can be achieved. It is also possible that the speaker is suggesting that we should be more open to the mysteries of life and death, rather than trying to shut them out.
The final line, "We die, because we have to die," is a stark reminder of our own mortality. The use of the word "have" suggests that death is not a choice, but rather a necessity that we must all face. The repetition of the word "die" also adds to the sense of finality and inevitability.
So what does this poem mean? At its core, "We never know we go when we are going" is a meditation on the mysteries of life and death. The poem suggests that we are always in a state of transition, moving from one place or state of being to another, without ever fully realizing it. The use of playful language and imagery adds a sense of whimsy to the poem, but the underlying message is a serious one.
The idea of fate or destiny is also a key theme in the poem. The use of the word "following" suggests that our movements are not entirely under our own control, but rather are guided by some greater force. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and suggests that she believed in a higher power that was responsible for the course of our lives.
The final line of the poem, "We die, because we have to die," is a reminder of our own mortality. This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that death is not a choice, but rather a necessity that we must all face. The repetition of the word "die" also adds to the sense of finality and inevitability.
In conclusion, "We never know we go when we are going" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the mysteries of life and death. The use of playful language and imagery adds a sense of whimsy to the poem, but the underlying message is a serious one. The poem suggests that we are always in a state of transition, moving from one place or state of being to another, without ever fully realizing it. The idea of fate or destiny is also a key theme in the poem, and the final line is a stark reminder of our own mortality. Overall, this is a poem that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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