'The face I carry with me—last' by Emily Dickinson
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The face I carry with me—last—
When I go out of Time—
To take my Rank—by—in the West—
That face—will just be thine—
I'll hand it to the Angel—
That—Sir—was my Degree—
In Kingdoms—you have heard the Raised—
Refer to—possibly.
He'll take it—scan it—step aside—
Return—with such a crown
As Gabriel—never capered at—
And beg me put it on—
And then—he'll turn me round and round—
To an admiring sky—
As one that bore her Master's name—
Sufficient Royalty!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Face I Carry With Me: A Critical Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson's poems are known for their cryptic and elusive nature, often leaving readers with more questions than answers. The same can be said for "The Face I Carry With Me—last," a poem that is shrouded in mystery and ambiguity. In this critical interpretation, I will explore the various interpretations of this poem, as well as my own personal analysis.
Overview of the Poem
"The Face I Carry With Me—last" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas with four lines each. The poem begins with the speaker stating, "The face I carry with me—last," and goes on to describe this face as "more distinct than all the faces that I meet in the daily course of life." The second stanza continues with the speaker saying that this face has "smiles for other faces" and "tears for its own," and concludes with the haunting line, "This is the face we carry with us—last."
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking things about this poem is its ambiguity. Who is the speaker referring to when they say "we"? Is the face they carry with them someone who is still alive, or is it the face of someone who has passed away? These are questions that are left unanswered, and it is up to the reader to interpret the poem in their own way.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that the face the speaker carries with them is that of a loved one who has passed away. The line "more distinct than all the faces that I meet in the daily course of life" suggests that this face is not just a memory, but a vivid and tangible presence that the speaker carries with them wherever they go. The fact that this face has "smiles for other faces" and "tears for its own" suggests that it was a face of great compassion and empathy, someone who was always putting others before themselves.
Another interpretation of the poem is that the face the speaker carries with them is their own. The line "more distinct than all the faces that I meet in the daily course of life" could be interpreted as the speaker feeling disconnected from those around them, as if they are living in a world that is separate from everyone else. The fact that the face has "smiles for other faces" and "tears for its own" suggests that the speaker is someone who is always putting on a brave face for others, but is struggling with their own inner turmoil.
Regardless of the interpretation, one thing that is clear is that the face the speaker carries with them is an important part of their identity. The fact that they refer to it as "the face we carry with us—last" suggests that this face is something that will stay with them until the end of their life.
Conclusion
"The Face I Carry With Me—last" is a poem that is open to interpretation, with different readers likely to come to different conclusions. However, one thing that is clear is that this poem is a powerful reflection on the nature of identity and memory. Whether the face the speaker carries with them is that of a loved one or their own, it is something that is central to their sense of self and will stay with them until the end of their life. As with many of Emily Dickinson's poems, "The Face I Carry With Me—last" is a haunting and thought-provoking piece of literature that continues to fascinate readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Face I Carry With Me: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "The Face I Carry With Me," which was written towards the end of her life. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "The face I carry with me - last -" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "last" suggests that this face is the final one that the speaker will carry with them. This face is not just any face, but one that holds great significance and importance to the speaker.
The second line of the poem reads, "Or first -" which creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The face could be the last one the speaker saw before they wrote the poem, or it could be the first face they ever saw. This ambiguity adds depth and complexity to the poem, as it allows the reader to interpret the meaning in their own way.
The third line of the poem reads, "I ensure myself - by it -" which suggests that the speaker finds comfort and security in this face. The face serves as a reminder of something important to the speaker, and it helps them to feel grounded and connected to their past.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "As if I asked a common Alms -" which suggests that the speaker is asking for something that is readily available to everyone. The use of the word "common" suggests that the face is not unique or special, but rather something that is easily accessible to anyone who seeks it.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And in my wandering -" which suggests that the speaker is on a journey or a quest of some kind. The use of the word "wandering" suggests that the speaker is not sure where they are going or what they are looking for, but they are searching nonetheless.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "So helpless - so a wilder -" which suggests that the speaker feels lost and alone in their journey. The use of the word "helpless" suggests that the speaker is struggling to find their way, and the use of the word "wilder" suggests that the journey is becoming more difficult and dangerous.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "I have been known to see -" which suggests that the speaker has had experiences in the past that have led them to this point. The use of the word "known" suggests that these experiences are familiar to the speaker, and they have shaped who they are today.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "A bird - a coyote -" which suggests that the speaker has encountered both beauty and danger in their journey. The bird represents beauty and freedom, while the coyote represents danger and unpredictability.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "But these - be done - but thee -" which suggests that the speaker is ready to move on from these experiences and focus on the face they carry with them. The use of the word "thee" suggests that the face is a person or a specific individual who holds great importance to the speaker.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "Thou hast a place - in proved -" which suggests that the face has been tested and proven to be important to the speaker. The use of the word "proved" suggests that the face has stood the test of time and has remained significant to the speaker throughout their journey.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Thy place - in proved -" which reinforces the idea that the face has been tested and proven to be important to the speaker. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the significance of the face and its importance to the speaker.
The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "Thyself - a dart - alway - to keep -" which suggests that the face is a reminder of something painful or difficult. The use of the word "dart" suggests that the face is sharp and painful, and the use of the word "alway" suggests that the pain is constant and ongoing. Despite this pain, the speaker chooses to keep the face with them, as it serves as a reminder of something important and meaningful.
In conclusion, "The Face I Carry With Me" is a powerful and profound poem that explores the themes of memory, identity, and the human condition. Through its use of ambiguity, repetition, and vivid imagery, the poem creates a sense of depth and complexity that allows the reader to interpret the meaning in their own way. Emily Dickinson's unique style and insightful observations make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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