'I ment to find her when I came;' by Emily Dickinson
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I meant to find her when I came;
Death had the same design;
But the success was his, it seems,
And the discomfit mine.
I meant to tell her how I longed
For just this single time;
But Death had told her so the first,
And she had hearkened him.
To wander now is my abode;
To rest,--to rest would be
A privilege of hurricane
To memory and me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I meant to find her when I came": A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetic Genius
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in American literary history, was an enigmatic figure whose work has fascinated and puzzled readers for decades. Her unique style, characterized by short lines, unconventional punctuation, and a focus on themes of death, nature, and the human condition, has made her an icon of American literature. One of her most famous poems, "I meant to find her when I came," is a prime example of her poetic genius, and in this essay, we will explore its many layers of meaning and interpretive possibilities.
Historical Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson lived in the 19th century, a time of great social and political change in America. The country was still reeling from the aftermath of the Civil War, and the question of slavery and civil rights was at the forefront of the national conversation. Women's suffrage was also a hot-button issue, and Dickinson's own life was marked by her decision to live as a recluse and not participate in the social and political life of her time.
"I meant to find her when I came"
With that context in mind, let us now turn to the poem itself. "I meant to find her when I came" is a short, six-line poem that is deceptively simple on the surface. The poem reads:
I meant to find her when I came; Death had the same design; But the success was his, it seems, And the discomfit mine.
The blending of Dickinson's characteristic brevity with the complexity of her language makes this poem an intriguing puzzle to solve. The first line clues us into the speaker's intent to find someone or something upon arrival, but we are not given any further information about who or what this might be. The second line introduces the theme of death, which is a common motif in Dickinson's poetry. The speaker acknowledges that death had the same intent as they did, but the success of that intent was death's, not the speaker's. The final two lines reveal that the speaker is discomfited by this outcome, but we are left to wonder why.
Analysis
At its most basic level, "I meant to find her when I came" is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the futility of human endeavors in the face of it. The speaker's intent to find something upon arrival is a metaphor for the human desire for purpose and meaning in life. We all want to feel like we are here for a reason, that our existence has significance. But the second line reminds us that no matter what our intentions are, death is always waiting for us, ready to claim us at any moment.
The poem's ambiguity makes it difficult to determine exactly who or what the speaker is trying to find. Some readers have suggested that the "her" in the first line could be a reference to God or spiritual enlightenment. Others have interpreted it as a more earthly desire, such as a loved one or a place of belonging. The open-endedness of the poem allows for multiple interpretations, which is one of the things that makes Dickinson's poetry so enduringly fascinating.
The phrase "the success was his, it seems" is perhaps the most intriguing line in the poem. The use of the word "his" to refer to death is a common motif in Dickinson's work, and it underscores the personification of death as a force with its own will and agency. The phrase "it seems" suggests a degree of uncertainty on the part of the speaker, almost as if they are questioning whether death's success was truly deserved. This ambiguity is echoed in the final line, where the speaker admits to feeling "discomfited" by the outcome, but does not elaborate on why.
Interpretation
So what does "I meant to find her when I came" mean? The poem is a testament to the human desire for purpose and meaning in the face of the inevitability of death. We all want to believe that our lives have significance, that we are here for a reason. But the poem also acknowledges the futility of those desires in the face of death's ultimate victory. Death is the great equalizer, the one thing that will claim us all in the end, no matter what we accomplished or failed to accomplish in life.
The ambiguity of the poem allows for multiple interpretations, but one possible reading is that the "her" in the first line represents the speaker's own sense of purpose and meaning. The speaker has come to a realization that they will never find what they are looking for, that their quest for significance is ultimately doomed. The phrase "the success was his, it seems" could be read as a bitter acknowledgment of death's ultimate victory, and the speaker's sense of discomfiture could be seen as a reaction to that realization.
Conclusion
"I meant to find her when I came" is a haunting and enigmatic poem that speaks to the human desire for purpose and meaning in the face of death. Dickinson's use of ambiguity and metaphor underscores the futility of those desires, and the inevitability of death's ultimate triumph. The poem invites multiple interpretations, but its message is clear: in the end, death comes for us all, and our search for meaning and significance is ultimately pointless. Emily Dickinson's unique poetic genius shines through in this brief but powerful meditation on the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has always been a way for people to express their deepest emotions and thoughts. Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike. One of her most famous poems is "I meant to find her when I came," which is a beautiful and poignant piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and longing.
The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, which is characterized by its brevity and its use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. It is a short poem, consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in the first person, and it is clear that the speaker is addressing someone they love.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker expresses their desire to find the person they love. They say, "I meant to find her when I came; Death had the same design; But the success was his, it seems, And the discomfit mine." This stanza is significant because it establishes the central conflict of the poem: the speaker's desire to be reunited with their loved one, and the fact that death has prevented this from happening.
The second stanza continues this theme, as the speaker laments the fact that they were unable to find their loved one. They say, "I meant to see her once again, That perished in her prime; The need was mine, and yet I find The need was all of her." This stanza is particularly poignant because it highlights the speaker's sense of loss and regret. They are mourning the fact that they were unable to see their loved one one last time, and they are also coming to terms with the fact that their need to see her was not just their own, but also a reflection of the love that they shared.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love and loss. They say, "I meant to say, 'I love you,' But said it all too late; And so she went, and with her went The love I meant to state." This stanza is significant because it highlights the fact that love is often unspoken and unacknowledged until it is too late. The speaker is expressing their regret at not having told their loved one how they felt before it was too late, and they are also acknowledging the fact that their love has now been lost forever.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful and haunting conclusion to the speaker's reflections on love and loss. They say, "Insulted by this praise of love, The tomb did not reply; And, looking back, I know I am A poorer Emily." This stanza is significant because it highlights the fact that the speaker's experience of love and loss has changed them forever. They are now a "poorer Emily" because they have lost something that was once so precious to them.
In conclusion, "I meant to find her when I came" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and longing. Emily Dickinson's signature style is on full display in this poem, with its brevity and unconventional punctuation and capitalization. The poem is a powerful reflection on the nature of love and the pain of loss, and it is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet.
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