'Heaven is what I cannot reach!' by Emily Dickinson
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Heaven is what I cannot reach!
The apple on the tree,
Provided it do hopelss hang,
That "heaven" is, to me.
The color on the cruising cloud,
The interdicted ground
Behind the hill, the house behind, --
There Paradise is found!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Heaven is what I cannot reach! by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh my, Heaven is what I cannot reach! Such a powerful and thought-provoking poem by the one and only Emily Dickinson. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The Themes
At its core, Heaven is what I cannot reach! is a poem about longing and unfulfilled desires. The speaker begins by stating that heaven is something she cannot reach, and then goes on to describe various things she wishes she could have or experience. The poem is full of contrasts between what the speaker wants and what she is able to have, such as "treasures" versus "pebbles" and "love" versus "friendship." These contrasts serve to emphasize the speaker's sense of lack and her longing for something more.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of isolation. The speaker repeatedly emphasizes her own separation from the things she desires, such as "the divine majority" and "the distant syllable." This sense of isolation contributes to the overall mood of the poem, which is one of sadness and yearning.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of death and the afterlife. The speaker's mention of "life's little, lessening span" suggests that she is aware of her own mortality, and her longing for heaven can be read as a desire for an afterlife where all of her unfulfilled desires will be met.
The Symbols
Heaven is what I cannot reach! makes use of several symbols to convey its themes. One of the most prominent symbols is the idea of distance. The speaker repeatedly emphasizes her own separation from the things she desires, whether they are physical objects or abstract concepts like love and friendship. This sense of distance serves to emphasize the speaker's longing and her sense of isolation.
Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the ladder. The speaker imagines herself climbing a ladder to reach heaven, but ultimately concludes that she will never be able to climb high enough. This ladder can be read as a symbol of ambition or aspiration, and the speaker's inability to reach the top suggests that there are limits to what humans can achieve.
Finally, the poem makes use of the symbol of light. The speaker describes the light of heaven as "the topmost star," and contrasts it with the "palest yellow" light of earth. This contrast serves to emphasize the otherworldly nature of heaven, and the speaker's longing to experience it.
The Literary Devices
Heaven is what I cannot reach! makes use of several literary devices to convey its themes and symbols. One of the most prominent is repetition. The phrase "Heaven is what I cannot reach" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's sense of lack and her desire for something more.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid and striking images to convey her longing and her sense of isolation. For example, she compares the "treasures" of heaven to "pebbles" on earth, emphasizing the vast difference between what she wants and what she has.
Finally, the poem makes use of metaphor. The ladder that the speaker imagines herself climbing can be read as a metaphor for ambition or aspiration, and the idea of heaven as a distant star serves as a metaphor for an unattainable goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Heaven is what I cannot reach! is a powerful and poignant poem that explores themes of longing, isolation, and mortality. Through its use of symbols and literary devices, the poem conveys a sense of sadness and yearning that is both universal and deeply personal. Emily Dickinson's poetic voice shines through in every line, and this poem serves as a testament to her skill as a writer and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Heaven is what I cannot reach! by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has captivated readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Heaven is what I cannot reach!" This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it expresses the speaker's frustration and longing for something that is beyond her grasp. The use of the exclamation mark emphasizes the speaker's intense emotions and adds a sense of urgency to the poem.
The second line, "The apple on the tree," introduces the first metaphor in the poem. The apple represents the object of the speaker's desire, which is just out of reach. The use of the word "tree" suggests that the object of desire is something that is natural and organic, rather than something that is man-made.
The third line, "Provided it do hopeless hang," introduces the idea that the object of desire is unattainable. The use of the word "hopeless" emphasizes the speaker's belief that she will never be able to reach the object of her desire. The use of the word "hang" suggests that the object is suspended in the air, just out of reach.
The fourth line, "That 'heaven' is to me!" reinforces the idea that the object of desire is something that is heavenly or divine. The use of the quotation marks around the word "heaven" suggests that the speaker is using the word ironically, as she does not believe that she will ever be able to reach it.
The fifth line, "The color on the cruising cloud," introduces the second metaphor in the poem. The color on the cloud represents the fleeting nature of the object of desire. The use of the word "cruising" suggests that the object is constantly moving and changing, making it even more difficult to reach.
The sixth line, "The interdicted ground," introduces the idea that the object of desire is forbidden or off-limits. The use of the word "interdicted" emphasizes the speaker's belief that she will never be able to reach the object of her desire, no matter how hard she tries.
The seventh line, "Behind the hill," introduces the idea that the object of desire is hidden or obscured. The use of the word "behind" suggests that the object is not visible or accessible, adding to the speaker's frustration and longing.
The eighth line, "The house is built," introduces the idea that the object of desire is something that has been created or constructed. The use of the word "house" suggests that the object is something that is permanent and solid, rather than something that is fleeting or ephemeral.
The ninth line, "But yet the lark's ascending," introduces the idea that there is still hope, even though the object of desire is out of reach. The use of the word "yet" suggests that the speaker is still hopeful, despite her frustration and longing. The image of the lark ascending suggests that there is still beauty and joy in the world, even though the object of desire remains unattainable.
The final line, "I cannot reach it still," reinforces the idea that the object of desire is unattainable. The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker has been trying to reach the object for a long time, but has not been successful.
Overall, Poetry Heaven is what I cannot reach! is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of frustration, longing, and the unattainable. The use of metaphors, unconventional punctuation, and syntax adds to the poem's emotional impact, making it a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style.
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