''Twas awkward, but it fitted me' by Emily Dickinson
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'Twas awkward, but it fitted me—
An Ancient fashioned Heart—
Its only lore—its Steadfastness—
In Change—unerudite—
It only moved as do the Suns—
For merit of Return—
Or Birds—confirmed perpetual
By Alternating Zone—
I only have it not Tonight
In its established place—
For technicality of Death—
Omitted in the Lease—
Editor 1 Interpretation
'Twas awkward, but it fitted me: A Literary Criticism of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works have captivated readers for generations. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional structure, and rich imagery that often delves into the complexities of life and death. One such poem is 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me, which is a narrative poem that explores the theme of self-discovery and the inevitability of change. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the language, structure, and meaning of the poem in detail, and try to understand how Dickinson creates a powerful narrative that resonates with readers even today.
Overview of the poem
'Twas awkward, but it fitted me is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young girl who tries on a dress that doesn't quite fit her, but eventually grows into it. The poem is written in six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is primarily written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud. The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but at the same time, it is rich in imagery and metaphor, which gives it depth and complexity. The poem is a meditation on the nature of growth and change, and how it is often awkward and uncomfortable, but ultimately necessary for self-discovery.
Analysis of the language
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in metaphor and imagery. The opening lines of the poem set the tone and establish the central theme of the poem:
'Twas awkward, but it fitted me,
That foreign work of hand,
Untouched by artist - made of wood -
But fit - my second land.
These lines use the metaphor of a dress to represent the self, and the idea of growth and change. The dress is "awkward" because it doesn't fit the speaker, but it is also "foreign" and "made of wood," which suggests that it is an artificial construct that is not natural or organic. However, the speaker feels that the dress "fits" her "second land," which suggests that she has a sense of belonging or connection to this new identity. The metaphor of the dress is extended throughout the poem, as the speaker describes how it gradually "grew" to fit her body, and how she "outgrew" it as she continued to grow and change.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition, which creates a rhythmic quality that reinforces the theme of growth and change. For example, the phrase "it fitted me" is repeated throughout the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and progression. The repetition of the word "fit" also suggests that the concept of fitting is central to the poem, and that the speaker is trying to find her place in the world.
Analysis of the structure
The structure of the poem is relatively simple, but it is also highly effective in conveying the theme of growth and change. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is primarily written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud. The use of rhyme and meter creates a sense of formality and structure, which contrasts with the theme of growth and change. The regularity of the rhyme and meter suggests that there is a sense of order and stability in the world, but the theme of growth and change suggests that this order is constantly being disrupted and transformed.
The structure of the poem is also notable for its use of enjambment, which creates a sense of flow and continuity between the lines. For example, in the second stanza, the line "And all the time I was growing" is enjambed, which creates a sense of momentum and progression. The use of enjambment also suggests that the speaker is in a state of flux, and that she is constantly growing and changing.
Analysis of the meaning
At its core, 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me is a meditation on the nature of growth and change, and how it can be awkward and uncomfortable, but ultimately necessary for self-discovery. The metaphor of the dress is used to represent the self, and the process of growth and change. The dress is "awkward" because it doesn't fit the speaker, but it is also "made of wood," which suggests that it is an artificial construct that is not natural or organic. However, as the speaker grows and changes, the dress gradually "fits" her, and becomes a part of her identity.
The poem is also notable for its exploration of the concept of self-discovery. The speaker is trying to find her place in the world, and the dress is a symbol of this search. The metaphor of the dress suggests that the self is not a fixed entity, but rather something that is constantly in a state of flux. The speaker "outgrows" the dress as she continues to grow and change, which suggests that the process of self-discovery is ongoing, and that it is never truly complete.
The poem is also notable for its exploration of the theme of identity. The speaker is trying to find her place in the world, and the dress is a symbol of this search. The metaphor of the dress suggests that identity is not a fixed entity, but rather something that is constantly in a state of flux. The speaker "outgrows" the dress as she continues to grow and change, which suggests that identity is constantly being transformed and redefined.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me is a powerful narrative poem that explores the theme of growth and change, and the process of self-discovery. The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in metaphor and imagery, which gives it depth and complexity. The structure of the poem is relatively simple, but it is highly effective in conveying the theme of growth and change. The poem is a meditation on the nature of the self, and how it is constantly being transformed and redefined. Ultimately, 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human experience, and to give voice to the deepest truths of the human soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea of fitting in and finding one's place in the world, using her trademark wit and insight to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.
At first glance, 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me may seem like a simple and straightforward poem, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface. The poem begins with the line " 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that they are in a situation that is uncomfortable or unfamiliar, but that they have somehow managed to make it work for them.
The second line of the poem, "Upon a bean-seed's interior," adds another layer of complexity to the poem. The image of a bean-seed's interior is both specific and abstract, and it is not immediately clear what the speaker is trying to convey. However, upon further reflection, it becomes clear that the bean-seed is a metaphor for the speaker themselves. Just as a bean-seed contains the potential for growth and transformation, the speaker is also in a state of flux, trying to find their place in the world.
The third line of the poem, "I pondered how such shells could be," introduces the idea of shells, which will become a recurring motif throughout the rest of the poem. The speaker is reflecting on the idea of shells, which are both protective and limiting. Shells provide a safe space for creatures to grow and develop, but they also restrict their movement and limit their potential. This tension between protection and limitation is a central theme of the poem.
The fourth line of the poem, "So inconspicuous to me," adds another layer of complexity to the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that they did not initially notice the shells, which suggests that they were not aware of the limitations that were being placed upon them. This is a common experience for many people, who may not realize the ways in which they are being constrained by societal norms and expectations.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "I wondered how the lover felt / Holding the palpitation close," introduce the idea of love and intimacy into the poem. The speaker is reflecting on the idea of holding something close to one's heart, which is both a physical and emotional act. This image of intimacy contrasts with the image of shells, which are cold and protective.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "When I myself, outgrown, should be / Shell-less and loveless here," introduce the idea of outgrowing one's shell. The speaker is acknowledging that they will eventually need to shed their protective shell in order to grow and develop. However, this shedding of the shell also means that they will be vulnerable and exposed, which is a scary prospect.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "I felt a pang in leaving thee, / Old shell, now grown so dear," introduce the idea of nostalgia and attachment. The speaker is acknowledging that even though their shell may be limiting, it has also become a source of comfort and familiarity. This tension between comfort and limitation is a common experience for many people, who may feel torn between the desire for safety and the need for growth.
The eleventh line of the poem, "Love's stricken shell," brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of love and intimacy. The image of a "stricken shell" suggests that love can be both painful and transformative, just as shedding one's shell can be painful and transformative.
The final line of the poem, "My bed a straitened boat," is a powerful and evocative image. The speaker is acknowledging that they are in a state of transition, caught between the safety of their shell and the uncertainty of the future. The image of a boat suggests that the speaker is adrift, unsure of where they are going or how they will get there.
In conclusion, 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and perspective. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson explores the tension between protection and limitation, comfort and growth, and safety and vulnerability. The poem is both thought-provoking and evocative, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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