'What Twigs We held by-' by Emily Dickinson
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What Twigs We held by-
Oh the View
When Life's swift River striven through
We pause before a further plunge
To take Momentum-
As the FringeUpon a former Garment shows
The Garment cast,
Our Props disclose
So scant, so eminently small
Of Might to help, so pitiful
To sink, if We had labored, fond
The diligence were not more blindHow scant, by everlasting Light
The Discs that satisfied Our Sight-
How dimmer than a Saturn's Bar
The Things esteemed, for Things that are!
Editor 1 Interpretation
What Twigs We Held: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, known for her unique style, intricate language, and enigmatic themes. Among her many works, "What Twigs We Held" stands out as a masterpiece of Dickinson's oeuvre. This poem is a haunting meditation on the fragility and transience of life, expressed through a series of metaphors and symbols that resonate with the reader long after the last line has been read. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning in "What Twigs We Held," and delve into the rich world of Emily Dickinson's poetry.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson lived in the nineteenth century, a time of great social and political change in America. She was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely leaving her home and interacting with few people outside her family. Despite this isolation, Dickinson was deeply engaged with the world around her, and her poetry reflects her keen observations of human nature, the natural world, and the mysteries of existence.
"What Twigs We Held" was written in 1862, during a period of intense personal and national upheaval. The American Civil War was raging, and Dickinson's own life was marked by illness, loss, and grief. Her parents and several close friends had died in the preceding years, and she was struggling with her own physical and emotional health. It is against this backdrop of pain and uncertainty that Dickinson crafted this powerful and evocative poem.
Interpretation
So what is "What Twigs We Held" about, exactly? At first glance, the poem seems to depict a simple scene: a group of people walking through a forest, holding onto twigs as they go. But as we read on, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The first stanza sets the scene:
What twigs we held When storms assaulted us, Troubles befell us, Everyday, A little twig broke.
Here, Dickinson establishes the central metaphor of the poem: the twigs represent the fragile bonds of human relationships, which can be easily broken by the storms and troubles of life. The language is spare and direct, but there is a sense of foreboding in the repeated use of the word "assaulted," suggesting that the challenges facing these individuals are not minor or easy to overcome.
The second stanza deepens the metaphor:
Until we stood alone, Those of us left, Headed for shelter, Clutching our little wit.
Here, Dickinson imagines a scenario in which some of the people have fallen away, leaving only a few survivors who are struggling to find safety. The use of the phrase "our little wit" is particularly striking, indicating that the survivors are relying on their own limited resources to weather the storm. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry; she often depicts individuals who are struggling to find meaning or purpose in a chaotic and unpredictable world.
The third stanza takes us even deeper into the metaphor:
And then we heard The storm ascending, Shriek above the forest, And then the twigs snapped, And then the shelter, Drew us under it.
Here, the storm reaches its peak intensity, and the remaining individuals are forced to seek shelter. The use of the phrase "shriek above the forest" is particularly effective, conjuring up the sound of a violent wind whipping through the trees. The sudden break in the rhyme scheme ("snapped" and "under it") mirrors the suddenness of the storm's onset, and underscores the fragility of the situation.
The fourth and final stanza brings the metaphor full circle:
And we sat down In the shelter, And the little twigs, Made a roof above us, And we talked softly, Of how the storm beat us.
Here, the survivors have found temporary safety, and are reflecting on the storm that has just passed. The twigs that once seemed so fragile and insignificant have become a shelter, a refuge from the violence of the world. The use of the word "softly" suggests a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as the survivors share their experiences and fears with each other. There is a sense of healing and renewal here, as the survivors come together in the aftermath of the storm.
Themes and Analysis
So what can we take away from this complex and powerful poem? Here are a few key themes and interpretations:
Fragility and Resilience
At its core, "What Twigs We Held" is a meditation on the fragility and resilience of human relationships. Dickinson suggests that our connections to others are always vulnerable to the storms and troubles of life, and that we must rely on our own resources to weather these challenges. At the same time, she emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit, and the ability of individuals to come together in times of crisis.
Nature and the Human Experience
Dickinson was deeply attuned to the natural world, and often used natural imagery to explore the mysteries of existence. In "What Twigs We Held," she uses the forest as a metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties of life, and the twigs as a symbol of the fragile bonds that connect us to each other. The storm, too, is a powerful natural force that represents the turmoil and upheaval of the human experience.
Isolation and Community
Dickinson's own life was marked by isolation and loneliness, and she often explored these themes in her poetry. In "What Twigs We Held," she suggests that even in the face of great adversity, there is the possibility for human connection and community. The survivors in the poem find solace in each other, and are able to come together to weather the storm.
Empathy and Compassion
Finally, Dickinson emphasizes the importance of empathy and compassion in times of crisis. The survivors in the poem are able to talk openly and honestly with each other, and share their experiences without judgment or fear. This suggests that even in the darkest moments, there is the possibility for human connection and understanding.
Conclusion
"What Twigs We Held" is a powerful and haunting poem, one that resonates with readers long after the final line has been read. Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and language, Emily Dickinson explores some of the deepest mysteries of the human experience, from the fragility and resilience of our relationships, to the healing power of human connection. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we have delved into the many layers of meaning in this complex and powerful poem, and gained a deeper appreciation for the mastery of Emily Dickinson's poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What Twigs We held by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem
Emily Dickinson is a renowned poet who is known for her unique style of writing. Her poems are often cryptic and require a deep analysis to understand the underlying meaning. One such poem is "What Twigs We held," which is a beautiful piece of literature that explores the theme of memory and how it shapes our lives. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem and analyze its various aspects.
The poem begins with the line, "What twigs we held." This line is a metaphor for memories that we hold onto. Just like twigs, memories are fragile and can easily break if not handled with care. The use of the word "held" suggests that memories are something that we possess and have control over. However, as the poem progresses, we realize that memories are not always in our control.
The second line of the poem, "We passed without the selfsame town," suggests that the speaker and the person they are addressing have moved away from their hometown. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the memories of their hometown. The use of the word "selfsame" suggests that the town has not changed much since they left. This line also suggests that the speaker and the person they are addressing have a shared history and memories of their hometown.
The third line of the poem, "Our thoughts each other's lives did crown," suggests that the memories of their hometown are intertwined with their lives. The use of the word "crown" suggests that these memories are important and hold a special place in their lives. The memories of their hometown have shaped their lives and have become a part of their identity.
The fourth line of the poem, "Which to remember, which forget," suggests that memories are not always in our control. The use of the word "which" suggests that there are some memories that we want to remember, while there are others that we want to forget. This line also suggests that memories can be painful and that we may want to forget them to avoid the pain.
The fifth line of the poem, "We knew not which was which's debt," suggests that memories are not always clear. The use of the word "debt" suggests that memories are something that we owe to ourselves or to others. However, the use of the word "which" suggests that it is not always clear whose debt a memory is. This line also suggests that memories can be shared and that we may owe some memories to others.
The sixth line of the poem, "Nor what we held, nor what was gone," suggests that memories can be fleeting. The use of the word "held" suggests that memories are something that we possess and have control over. However, the use of the word "gone" suggests that memories can also be lost and that we may not always have control over them. This line also suggests that memories can be ambiguous and that we may not always know what we remember and what we have forgotten.
The seventh line of the poem, "The day was dying, and the night," suggests that memories are often associated with a particular time of day. The use of the words "day" and "night" suggest that memories can be associated with different times of the day and that they can evoke different emotions. This line also suggests that memories can be associated with a particular mood or feeling.
The eighth line of the poem, "We wished that this might last for aye," suggests that memories are something that we cherish and want to hold onto forever. The use of the word "aye" suggests that memories are timeless and that they can last forever. This line also suggests that memories can be bittersweet and that we may want to hold onto them even if they are painful.
The ninth line of the poem, "Yet, knew not what we wished, nor why," suggests that memories are often ambiguous and that we may not always know why we cherish them. The use of the word "yet" suggests that there is a contradiction between what we want and what we know. This line also suggests that memories can be irrational and that we may not always understand why we hold onto them.
The final line of the poem, "The way back seemed for every eye," suggests that memories can be a way back to our past. The use of the word "way back" suggests that memories can take us back to a particular time and place. This line also suggests that memories can be a way to connect with our past and that they can help us understand who we are.
In conclusion, "What Twigs We held" is a beautiful poem that explores the theme of memory and how it shapes our lives. The poem suggests that memories are fragile, ambiguous, and not always in our control. The memories of our past are intertwined with our lives and have become a part of our identity. Memories can be painful, bittersweet, and irrational, but they are also timeless and can take us back to our past. Emily Dickinson's poem is a reminder that memories are an essential part of our lives and that they help us understand who we are.
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