'His oriental heresies' by Emily Dickinson

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His oriental heresies
Exhilarate the Bee,
And filling all the Earth and Air
With gay apostasy

Fatigued at last, a Clover plain
Allures his jaded eye
That lowly Breast where Butterflies
Have felt it meet to die—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

His Oriental Heresies by Emily Dickinson

Introduction

Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who is known for her unconventional style of writing. Her poems are characterized by their unique syntax, and they often tackle complex themes such as death, religion, and love. One of her most notable works is "His Oriental Heresies," a poem that explores the theme of faith and the different ways in which people interpret religious texts.

Overview

"His Oriental Heresies" is a short poem that is composed of two stanzas. The first stanza describes a man who is reading the Bible, and the second stanza describes his reaction to what he has read. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, which involves the use of dashes, unconventional punctuation, and a sparse use of words.

Analysis

The poem begins by introducing the man who is reading the Bible. The speaker describes him as someone who is deeply committed to his faith and spends his days studying the holy book. However, the man's devotion to his religion is not enough to satisfy his curiosity. He begins to explore other religious texts, particularly those from the East.

The second stanza describes the man's reaction to what he has read. The speaker notes that the man has become a heretic, someone who has strayed from the traditional teachings of his religion. However, the man's heresy is not born out of a desire to reject his faith. Instead, it is a result of his deep commitment to understanding the truth.

One interpretation of the poem is that it highlights the tension between faith and reason. The man's exploration of other religious texts is a way for him to reconcile his faith with the world around him. However, his unconventional beliefs ultimately lead him down a path of heresy.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it critiques the rigid dogmatism of organized religion. The man's heresy can be seen as a rejection of the traditional teachings of his church. Instead of blindly accepting what he has been told, he seeks to understand the truth for himself.

Themes

"His Oriental Heresies" explores several themes, including faith, heresy, and the tension between tradition and innovation. The poem raises questions about the nature of religious belief and the role of reason in shaping one's faith.

Conclusion

"His Oriental Heresies" is a powerful poem that challenges traditional notions of religious belief. Through its sparse use of language and unconventional style, the poem encourages readers to question their own beliefs and seek out the truth for themselves. While its themes are complex, the poem ultimately speaks to the human desire to understand the world around us and our place in it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson’s poem “His oriental heresies” is a masterpiece of poetic expression. It is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of love, religion, and cultural differences. The poem is written in Dickinson’s signature style, with short lines and dashes that create a sense of fragmentation and ambiguity. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and motifs in the poem, as well as the historical and cultural context that influenced Dickinson’s writing.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a man who has “heresies” that are “Oriental”. The use of the word “heresies” immediately sets a tone of religious conflict and controversy. The fact that these heresies are “Oriental” suggests that they are foreign and exotic, and perhaps even threatening to the speaker’s own cultural and religious beliefs. The man is described as having “a deeper creed” than the speaker, which suggests that he is more spiritually enlightened or knowledgeable.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love. The speaker describes the man as having a “love” that is “so high”. This love is contrasted with the speaker’s own love, which is described as “low”. The use of the words “high” and “low” suggest a hierarchy or ranking of love, with the man’s love being superior to the speaker’s. The speaker also describes the man’s love as being “so wide”, which suggests that it is all-encompassing and inclusive.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of cultural differences. The speaker describes the man as having “a foreign ear” that can hear “the distant strains of melody”. This suggests that the man is attuned to a different type of music or culture than the speaker. The use of the word “foreign” suggests that the man is from a different country or culture than the speaker, and that his perspective is therefore different.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of love. The speaker describes the man’s love as being “so deep” that it is “like the sea”. This metaphor suggests that the man’s love is vast and unfathomable, like the ocean. The speaker also describes the man’s love as being “so pure”, which suggests that it is untainted by worldly concerns or impurities.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings together all of the themes and motifs that have been introduced throughout the poem. The speaker describes the man as having “a soul so white” that it is “like the snow”. This metaphor suggests that the man’s soul is pure and unblemished, like freshly fallen snow. The use of the word “white” also suggests a sense of innocence and purity. The speaker then describes the man’s love as being “so high, so wide, so deep” that it is “like God’s love”. This comparison to God’s love suggests that the man’s love is divine and transcendent.

Overall, “His oriental heresies” is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of love, religion, and cultural differences. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a sense of ambiguity and mystery, which invites the reader to interpret the poem in their own way. The historical and cultural context of the poem is also important to consider, as it reflects the cultural and religious tensions of Dickinson’s time. Despite its complexity, however, the poem is ultimately a celebration of love and spiritual enlightenment, and a reminder that there are many different paths to the divine.

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