'We never know how high we are' by Emily Dickinson

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We never know how high we are
Till we are asked to rise
And then if we are true to plan
Our statures touch the skies-The Heroism we recite
Would be a normal thing
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp
For fear to be a King-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "We never know how high we are": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever felt like you were capable of achieving great things? Like there was this untapped potential within you waiting to be unleashed? Emily Dickinson's poem "We never know how high we are" captures this feeling and explores the idea of the limitations we impose on ourselves. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to uncover the powerful message that Dickinson conveys.

Themes

At its core, "We never know how high we are" is a poem about the human potential for greatness. The speaker of the poem tells us that "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise". In other words, we often underestimate ourselves until we are faced with a challenge that forces us to push beyond our perceived limitations.

This theme is further explored in the second stanza of the poem, where the speaker tells us that "And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies". Here, the poem suggests that if we can overcome our self-imposed limitations and stay true to our goals and plans, we can achieve greatness and reach heights we never thought possible.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of the journey towards greatness. The speaker tells us that "The heroism we recite / Would be a daily thing". This line suggests that heroism isn't just about big, flashy acts of bravery, but about the small, daily choices we make to stay true to our goals and push ourselves beyond our limits.

Finally, the poem touches on the idea that greatness isn't just about individual achievement, but about the impact we have on others. The speaker tells us that "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise; / And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies— / The Heroism we recite / Would be a daily thing, / Did not ourselves the cubits warp / For fear to be a King—". Here, the poem suggests that our fear of greatness and the limitations we impose on ourselves not only hold us back, but also have the potential to limit the impact we can have on those around us.

Structure

One of the striking things about "We never know how high we are" is its simple structure. The poem consists of only two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming.

This simple structure is effective in conveying the poem's message. The short, punchy stanzas and straightforward rhyme scheme give the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy. The poem feels like a call to action, urging us to break free from our limitations and reach for greatness.

Language

Dickinson's use of language in "We never know how high we are" is simple but powerful. The poem is full of short, declarative sentences that give the poem a sense of clarity and directness.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem's language is its use of imagery. The poem's opening lines, "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise", liken our potential for greatness to our ability to rise up, like a bird taking flight. This image is both beautiful and powerful, suggesting that our potential for greatness is as natural and innate as the ability of a bird to fly.

Another important image in the poem is the idea of "cubits". The speaker tells us that "Did not ourselves the cubits warp / For fear to be a King—". Cubits are an ancient unit of measurement, typically used to measure the length of the forearm. In this context, the image of "warping" our cubits suggests that we distort or bend our natural abilities in order to avoid the responsibility and pressure that comes with greatness. The image of a King is also significant, as it suggests that our fear of greatness is often tied to our fear of power and responsibility.

Conclusion

In "We never know how high we are", Emily Dickinson captures the human potential for greatness and the limitations we impose on ourselves. Through simple but powerful language and imagery, Dickinson urges us to break free from our self-imposed limitations and reach for the heights of our potential. The poem serves as a powerful reminder that heroism is not reserved for a select few, but is within the reach of all of us, if we are willing to push ourselves beyond our perceived limitations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, has left us with a treasure trove of poems that continue to inspire and move us. One such poem is "We never know how high we are," a beautiful piece that speaks to the human spirit and our potential for greatness.

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple observation about the limitations of human perception. Dickinson writes, "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise." This line suggests that we are often unaware of our own potential until we are faced with a challenge that requires us to rise to the occasion. It is only when we are pushed beyond our comfort zones that we discover what we are truly capable of.

The second stanza of the poem reinforces this idea, stating that "And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies." Here, Dickinson suggests that if we remain committed to our goals and aspirations, we can achieve great heights. Our potential is limitless, and it is only our own doubts and fears that hold us back.

But there is more to this poem than just a simple observation about human potential. Dickinson's use of language and imagery adds depth and complexity to the piece, elevating it to the level of great poetry. For example, the line "We never know we're high / When we are only low" is a powerful statement about the nature of perception. It suggests that our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world is often limited by our own narrow perspective. We may think we are lowly and insignificant, but in reality, we have the potential to soar to great heights.

Another striking aspect of the poem is its use of metaphor. Dickinson compares our potential to the "stormy sky," suggesting that just as the sky can be both beautiful and dangerous, so too can our potential be both awe-inspiring and intimidating. The stormy sky also represents the challenges and obstacles that we must overcome in order to reach our full potential. Just as a storm can be frightening and overwhelming, so too can the journey to greatness be difficult and fraught with uncertainty.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson writes, "The heroism we recite / Would be a daily thing, / Did not ourselves the cubits warp / For fear to be a king." Here, she suggests that the heroism and greatness that we so often admire in others is actually within our own reach. We have the potential to be heroes in our own lives, but we are held back by our own fears and insecurities. We are afraid to be kings, to take on the responsibilities and challenges that come with greatness.

In conclusion, "We never know how high we are" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human spirit and our potential for greatness. Through her use of language, imagery, and metaphor, Emily Dickinson reminds us that our potential is limitless, and that we are capable of achieving great things if we remain committed to our goals and aspirations. The poem is a call to action, urging us to overcome our fears and doubts and to embrace the heroism that lies within us all. It is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today, and will no doubt continue to do so for generations to come.

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