'My Wars are laid away in Books—' by Emily Dickinson
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My Wars are laid away in Books—
I have one Battle more—
A Foe whom I have never seen
But oft has scanned me o'er—
And hesitated me between
And others at my side,
But chose the best—Neglecting me—till
All the rest, have died—
How sweet if I am not forgot
By Chums that passed away—
Since Playmates at threescore and ten
Are such a scarcity—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Wars are laid away in Books by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever heard of Emily Dickinson? Chances are, if you have ever taken an English class, you probably have. She is one of the most well-known and celebrated poets in American literature. But what makes her work so great? What is it about her poetry that has captured the hearts and minds of so many readers over the years? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at one of her most famous poems, "My Wars are laid away in Books," and try to answer those questions.
The Poem
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
My Wars are laid away in Books—
I have one Battle more—
A Foe whom I have never seen
But oft has scanned her power—
I have a Cavalry, a Navy—
I have no Flag, no pageant—
But I have the Cavalry's cloven wars
And the Navies' pitted regiments.
At least to pray is left to me—
And I have left my pride—
For I have nothing now to face
That jest and fame and war aside
To fight were more than to repose
To-night— and that is "rest"—
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer examination, we can see that it is actually quite complex and layered with meaning.
Interpretation
At its core, "My Wars are laid away in Books" is a meditation on the power of literature to heal and console. The speaker, whose identity is unknown, tells us that her wars are "laid away in books" and that she has "one Battle more" to fight. This last battle is with a "Foe whom [she has] never seen," but whose power she has "oft scanned." This foe is likely a metaphor for death, which the speaker knows she will have to face eventually.
Despite facing this final battle, the speaker takes comfort in the fact that she has a cavalry and navy, which are also likely metaphors for the books she has read. She may not have a flag or a pageant, but she has the memories of battles fought by others, which she can draw on for strength and inspiration. The cloven wars of the cavalry and the pitted regiments of the navy suggest that these battles were not easy or glamorous, but rather messy, brutal affairs. This is perhaps a reminder that war, whether literal or metaphorical, is never easy or simple.
The speaker then tells us that "at least to pray is left to me" and that she has "left [her] pride." This suggests that she has come to a place of acceptance and humility. She realizes that she cannot control everything, and that sometimes all one can do is pray and let go of one's ego.
The final stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem. The speaker tells us that she has nothing left to face that is more daunting than "jest and fame and war." She would rather rest than fight. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker has come to a place of peace and contentment, despite the knowledge that death is looming.
Literary Criticism
So why is "My Wars are laid away in Books" considered such a great poem? There are many reasons, but perhaps the most important is its ability to speak to the human condition in a profound and moving way. The poem is both universal and deeply personal. We can all relate to the idea of facing an unknown foe, whether it be death or something else, and we can all take comfort in knowing that literature can provide us with solace and strength.
Another reason why the poem is so great is its use of metaphor and imagery. The cavalry and navy are powerful images that suggest strength and resilience, while the idea of wars being "laid away in books" is a powerful metaphor for the power of literature to transcend time and space.
Finally, the poem is great because of its ambiguity. The speaker's identity is unknown, and we are left to wonder who she is and what battles she has fought. This ambiguity allows us to project our own experiences and emotions onto the poem, making it all the more powerful and relatable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "My Wars are laid away in Books" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound way. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and ambiguity, it captures the complexity and universality of the human experience. It is no wonder that Emily Dickinson remains one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and that her work continues to inspire and move readers more than a century after her death.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Wars are laid away in Books: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem, "My Wars are laid away in Books," is a classic example of her work, exploring the idea of war and its impact on the human psyche. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, to gain a deeper understanding of this masterpiece.
The poem begins with the line, "My Wars are laid away in Books," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is suggesting that their experiences of war have been put to rest, and that they have found solace in books. This line is significant because it highlights the power of literature to heal and provide comfort to those who have experienced trauma.
The second line, "I have one Battle more," suggests that the speaker has one final battle to fight, but it is not a physical one. Instead, it is a battle of the mind, a struggle to come to terms with the past and find peace. This battle is one that many soldiers face when they return home from war, and it is often more difficult than the physical battles they have fought.
The third line, "Astride of a Grave," is a powerful image that suggests the speaker is standing on the edge of death. This line is significant because it highlights the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It also suggests that the speaker has a new perspective on life, having faced the possibility of death in war.
The fourth line, "A Worm's-kin away," is a metaphor that suggests the speaker is close to death, but not quite there yet. The image of a worm's skin is a powerful one, suggesting decay and the end of life. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's awareness of their mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
The fifth line, "A Resurrection's Day," is a hopeful image that suggests the speaker believes in the possibility of new life after death. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's faith and their belief in something greater than themselves.
The sixth line, "New-not for an hour," suggests that the speaker's battle is ongoing and that they will not find peace easily. This line is significant because it highlights the difficulty of coming to terms with the past and finding peace.
The seventh line, "But for the tearing of the Veils," is a powerful image that suggests the speaker is close to finding peace but is still held back by something. The image of tearing veils suggests that the speaker is close to a breakthrough, but there is still a barrier that needs to be overcome.
The eighth line, "Who was it, breathed them, Kneeling," is a question that suggests the speaker is searching for answers. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's desire to understand their experiences and find meaning in them.
The ninth line, "Heard the Tallons of the Night," is a powerful image that suggests the speaker has faced darkness and fear. The image of talons suggests that the speaker has been attacked and hurt, but they have survived.
The tenth line, "Petered out like Pearls," is a metaphor that suggests the speaker's experiences have lost their luster and are no longer as valuable as they once were. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's disillusionment with war and their desire to move on.
The eleventh line, "Wherefore, unto These," is a question that suggests the speaker is searching for a purpose. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's desire to find meaning in their experiences and to use them for a greater good.
The twelfth line, "The Place called "Now,"" is a powerful image that suggests the speaker is living in the present and has moved on from the past. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's ability to find peace and live in the moment.
The thirteenth line, "Success is counted sweetest," is a quote from one of Dickinson's other poems, which suggests that success is only truly appreciated by those who have experienced failure. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's understanding of the value of struggle and the importance of overcoming adversity.
The fourteenth and final line, "By those who ne'er succeed," suggests that the speaker has found success in their struggle, but it is not recognized by those who have not experienced the same hardships. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's understanding of the value of their experiences and their ability to find meaning in them.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This structure allows Dickinson to explore the theme of war and its impact on the human psyche in a more organic and natural way. The lack of structure also allows the poem to flow more freely, creating a sense of movement and progression.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses metaphor, imagery, and allusion to explore the theme of war and its impact on the human psyche. The use of metaphor, such as "Astride of a Grave," creates powerful images that convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. The use of imagery, such as "Talons of the Night," creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind, allowing them to better understand the speaker's experiences. The use of allusion, such as the quote from Dickinson's other poem, "Success is counted sweetest," adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to make connections between different works of literature.
In conclusion, "My Wars are laid away in Books" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of war and its impact on the human psyche. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and allusion, the poem creates a vivid picture of the speaker's experiences and emotions. The poem's structure, with its lack of rhyme and meter, allows the poem to flow freely, creating a sense of movement and progression. Overall, "My Wars are laid away in Books" is a masterpiece of American literature and a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique style and unconventional themes.
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