'It was not Saint—it was too large—' by Emily Dickinson
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It was not Saint—it was too large—
Nor Snow—it was too small—
It only held itself aloof
Like something spiritual—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpreting Emily Dickinson's "It was not Saint— it was too large—"
Wow, what an intriguing title! "It was not Saint— it was too large—" by Emily Dickinson. At first glance, the title alone leaves us with numerous questions to ponder over. Who or what is too large? And why is it not a saint? Let's dive into this classic poem and see if we can find some answers.
Context and background
Before we start, let's get some background information about the poet Emily Dickinson. She lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, and was known for her reclusive lifestyle. Dickinson wrote over 1800 poems during her lifetime, but only a few were published. After her death, her sister discovered a vast collection of her works, and they were published posthumously. Dickinson's poems are known for their unique style, in which she often used short lines, unconventional punctuation, and capitalization.
"It was not Saint— it was too large—" is one of Dickinson's more cryptic poems, with no clear message or agenda. Instead, it raises more questions than it answers, requiring the reader to delve deeper into its meaning.
Analysis
The poem opens with the line, "It was not Saint— it was too large—," immediately setting a mysterious tone. The use of an em-dash at the end of the line creates a pause, giving the reader time to reflect on the words. What is too large, and why is it not a saint? The next line, "That gown was not for her," adds to the enigma. Who is "her," and what does the gown represent?
In the third line, the speaker says that "It was too near to pray to," which further deepens the mystery. What is too near to pray to? And why would someone pray to it? The next two lines offer some insight, stating that it "took the stitches, Gold for the seams," and that "And wrote 'God's Benison'— upon the hem." Here, the poem suggests that this "large" thing is not a saint because it is divine. It is closer to God than a mere human saint could ever be. The use of the word "Benison" emphasizes the divine nature of the object, meaning "a blessing or benediction."
The next stanza introduces a new image: "Then dropped his hand— dismissing." Who is "he," and why does he dismiss this divine object? The image of the hand dropping suggests a sense of finality, as if the speaker is witnessing something important coming to an end. The following lines, "For his were true to seams—," and "His fingers passed seams" add to the enigma. What seams are being referred to, and what does it mean for them to be true?
The final two stanzas offer a bit more clarity, but not much. The speaker says that "Atogether different drest—," emphasizing that this object is not like anything else they have ever seen. The final line of the poem, "Atogether meaner,— by the contrast," suggests that the object is significant because it stands out from everything else. It is not mean or ordinary, but rather extraordinary.
Interpretation
So, what does "It was not Saint— it was too large—" actually mean? Well, that's the beauty of poetry; it can mean a lot of things, depending on how you interpret it. Here are a few possible interpretations:
Interpretation 1: The divine is too big for us to comprehend
One possible interpretation of the poem is that the "large" object represents the divine, something so vast and powerful that it cannot be contained by the human mind or understood by mere mortals. The poem suggests that the object is not a saint because it is closer to God than any human could ever be. The use of the word "Benison" emphasizes the divine nature of the object. The speaker cannot pray to it because it is too near. The object is described as "altogether different drest," meaning that it is dressed in a way that is beyond human comprehension. This interpretation suggests that the divine is too big for us to fully understand or even conceive of.
Interpretation 2: The object represents something extraordinary
Another possible interpretation is that the object represents something extraordinary or unique, something that stands out from everything else. The poem emphasizes that the object is not mean or ordinary, but rather something special. The speaker says that the object is "Atogether different drest—," implying that it is dressed in a way that sets it apart from everything else. This interpretation suggests that the poem is about something that is exceptional or noteworthy.
Interpretation 3: The poem is about the limits of language
A third interpretation is that the poem is about the limits of language. The speaker struggles to describe the object, saying that it was "too large" and "too near to pray to." The use of the em-dash at the end of the first line and the pause it creates suggests that the speaker is struggling to find the right words to convey their experience. This interpretation suggests that the poem is about the difficulty of expressing something that is beyond words or language.
Conclusion
"It was not Saint— it was too large—" is a fascinating poem that leaves the reader with more questions than answers. The poem is deliberately cryptic, with no clear message or agenda. Instead, it raises questions about the divine, the extraordinary, and the limits of language. The use of punctuation, capitalization, and unconventional syntax all add to the mysterious tone of the poem. Ultimately, the poem is an invitation to the reader to delve deeper into its meaning and to create their own interpretations. Emily Dickinson's unique style and enigmatic poetry continue to inspire and challenge readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It was not Saint—it was too large— Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, wrote a plethora of poems that continue to captivate readers to this day. Among her works is the poem "It was not Saint—it was too large—," which is a fascinating piece that has left many readers perplexed. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore what makes it such a timeless classic.
The poem's title, "It was not Saint—it was too large—," immediately piques the reader's interest. The title suggests that the poem is about something that is too big to be considered a saint. The poem itself is only two lines long, but it is packed with meaning and symbolism. The first line of the poem, "It was not Saint," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is not a saint, but something else entirely.
The second line of the poem, "it was too large," is where things get interesting. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is too big to be a saint. This line can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation is that the speaker is referring to a physical object that is too large to be considered a saint. Another interpretation is that the speaker is referring to a person who is too big in stature or personality to be considered a saint.
The poem's structure is simple, yet effective. The poem consists of two lines, each with six syllables. The poem's brevity adds to its impact, as it leaves the reader with a sense of mystery and intrigue. The poem's simplicity also allows for multiple interpretations, which is a hallmark of Dickinson's poetry.
One of the literary devices used in the poem is symbolism. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is not a saint, but something else entirely. This suggests that the speaker is using the idea of a saint as a symbol for something else. The second line of the poem, "it was too large," is also symbolic. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is too big to be contained within the confines of a saint.
Another literary device used in the poem is irony. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is not a saint, but something else entirely. This is ironic because saints are typically associated with being good and pure, while the speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is not good or pure.
The poem's meaning is open to interpretation, which is one of the reasons why it has stood the test of time. One interpretation is that the poem is about the limitations of religion. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is too big to be contained within the confines of a saint. This could be interpreted as a criticism of religion's inability to fully capture the complexity and vastness of the human experience.
Another interpretation is that the poem is about the limitations of language. The speaker is suggesting that whatever they are referring to is too big to be contained within the confines of words. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of language to fully express the depth and complexity of human emotions and experiences.
In conclusion, "It was not Saint—it was too large—" is a fascinating poem that has left many readers perplexed. The poem's brevity, symbolism, and irony make it a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers to this day. The poem's meaning is open to interpretation, which is one of the reasons why it has stood the test of time. Whether you interpret the poem as a commentary on religion, language, or something else entirely, one thing is certain: "It was not Saint—it was too large—" is a poem that will continue to intrigue and inspire readers for generations to come.
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