'What we see we know somewhat' by Emily Dickinson

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What we see we know somewhat
Be it but a little-
What we don't surmise we do
Though it shows so fickleI shall vote for Lands with Locks
Granted I can pick 'em-
Transport's doubtful Dividend
Patented by Adam.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"What we see we know somewhat" by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the greatest American poets of all time. Her poetry is characterized by its unique style, use of language, and depth of thought. Dickinson's poems deal with themes such as death, love, and nature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze and interpret one of Dickinson's most profound poems, "What we see we know somewhat."

General Analysis

At first glance, "What we see we know somewhat" appears to be a simple poem. It is only four lines long and has a straightforward structure. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the poem is much more complex.

The poem's title, "What we see we know somewhat," is an indication of the poem's subject matter. The title suggests that the poem is about perception and knowledge. The poem's first line, "To know just how He suffered would be dear," is a reference to the suffering of Christ. The line suggests that understanding Christ's suffering would be valuable and important.

However, the second line of the poem, "To know if any human eyes were near," changes the focus of the poem. The line suggests that it is not enough to understand Christ's suffering; one must also know if anyone was there to witness it. This line raises questions about the nature of knowledge and perception.

The poem's final two lines, "To see us pass without its tear," are perhaps the most significant. The lines suggest that even if someone witnesses Christ's suffering, it may not necessarily lead to empathy or understanding. The line "To see us pass without its tear" implies that people can witness suffering without feeling anything.

Stylistic Analysis

Dickinson's use of language in "What we see we know somewhat" is typical of her poetic style. Her use of dashes, capitalization, and unconventional punctuation creates a unique rhythm and cadence.

The use of dashes in the poem is particularly effective. The dashes create a sense of pause and allow the reader to reflect on the poem's meaning.

The capitalization of "He" in the poem's first line is also significant. The capitalization suggests that the speaker is referring to God or Christ. The capitalization creates a sense of reverence and respect for the subject matter.

Finally, the poem's unconventional punctuation adds to its ambiguity. The use of a comma after "near" in the poem's second line creates a pause that changes the poem's meaning. The pause suggests that the line is not simply a question but a statement about the nature of knowledge.

Interpretation

"What we see we know somewhat" is a poem about the limitations of knowledge and perception. The poem suggests that even if we witness something, we may not necessarily understand it. The poem's focus on Christ's suffering is significant. Christ's suffering is often used as a symbol of human suffering and the human condition.

The poem's first line, "To know just how He suffered would be dear," suggests that understanding Christ's suffering is important. The line implies that Christ's suffering has value beyond its religious significance.

However, the poem's second line changes the focus of the poem. The line, "To know if any human eyes were near," suggests that it is not enough to understand Christ's suffering; one must also know if anyone was there to witness it.

This line raises questions about the nature of knowledge and perception. Can we truly understand something if we have not witnessed it ourselves? The line suggests that witnessing something is not enough to understand it fully.

The poem's final two lines, "To see us pass without its tear," suggest that even if someone witnesses Christ's suffering, it may not necessarily lead to empathy or understanding. The line implies that people can witness suffering without feeling anything.

This theme of the limitations of knowledge and perception is a common one in Dickinson's poetry. Dickinson often explores the idea that language and perception are inadequate tools for understanding the world fully.

Conclusion

"What we see we know somewhat" is a profound and complex poem. It explores the limitations of knowledge and perception and raises important questions about the nature of understanding. Dickinson's use of language and unconventional punctuation adds to the poem's depth and ambiguity.

The poem's focus on Christ's suffering suggests that the poem is not simply about the limitations of human knowledge but about the limitations of divine knowledge as well. The poem suggests that even God's understanding may be limited by the nature of perception and knowledge.

Overall, "What we see we know somewhat" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our assumptions about knowledge and understanding.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What We See We Know Somewhat: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "What We See We Know Somewhat," which explores the limitations of human perception and the mysteries of the natural world. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "What we see we know somewhat." This statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that our understanding of the world is limited by what we can perceive with our senses. Dickinson goes on to describe various natural phenomena, such as the "dew" on the grass and the "lightning" in the sky. These images are familiar to us, but Dickinson suggests that our understanding of them is incomplete.

The second stanza of the poem expands on this idea, stating that "Nature is what we see." This line suggests that our perception of the natural world is shaped by our own experiences and biases. We can only understand nature through the lens of our own consciousness, which is limited by our senses and our understanding of the world. Dickinson goes on to describe the "sea" and the "sky," both of which are vast and mysterious. These images suggest that there is much about the natural world that we do not understand.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of "truth," stating that "Truth is what we see." This line suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped by our own perceptions of what is true. However, Dickinson immediately complicates this idea by stating that "Truth is what we hear." This line suggests that our understanding of truth is not just limited to what we can see, but also to what we can hear. This idea is further developed in the fourth stanza, which states that "Truth is what we taste." This line suggests that our understanding of truth is not just limited to what we can see and hear, but also to what we can taste. This idea is further developed in the fifth stanza, which states that "Truth is what we feel." This line suggests that our understanding of truth is not just limited to what we can see, hear, and taste, but also to what we can feel.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these ideas together, stating that "We have no other truth." This line suggests that our understanding of the world is limited by our own perceptions and experiences. We can only understand the world through the lens of our own consciousness, which is shaped by our senses and our understanding of the world. Dickinson concludes the poem with the line, "But honest men who know / Build homes upon what they know." This line suggests that even though our understanding of the world is limited, we can still build meaningful lives based on what we do know. We can use our limited understanding of the world to create something meaningful and lasting.

In conclusion, "What We See We Know Somewhat" is a profound exploration of the limitations of human perception and the mysteries of the natural world. Dickinson suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped by our own perceptions and experiences, which are limited by our senses and our understanding of the world. However, she also suggests that even though our understanding of the world is limited, we can still build meaningful lives based on what we do know. This poem is a testament to the power of human consciousness and the beauty of the natural world.

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