'These Strangers, in a foreign World' by Emily Dickinson

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These Strangers, in a foreign World,
Protection asked of me-
Befriend them, lest Yourself in Heaven
Be found a Refugee-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, These Strangers, in a foreign World: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Work

When it comes to poetry, few names shine as brightly as Emily Dickinson. Her unique style, characterized by short lines and unconventional punctuation, has captured the hearts of readers for generations. In this essay, we will explore one of her most famous poems, "These Strangers, in a foreign World," offering an interpretation and criticism of the work.

The Poem

Before diving into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:

These Strangers, in a foreign World,
Protection asked of me—
Befriend them, lest Yourself in Heaven
Be found a Stranger, too—

The Journey's Commonplace, and yet
We, for His Sake, should deem
Ourself less privilege for Him
Than those, whoe'er before,
His Providence have seen—

The Feat He reckons poor toils,
Yet—alien—is the hand
That immigrated, to belong
To that Exalted Band—

Interpretation

At first glance, "These Strangers, in a foreign World" appears to be a simple admonition to be kind to strangers. However, a deeper reading reveals a more complex poem, one that touches on themes of faith, humility, and belonging.

The first stanza presents us with a call to action: "Protection asked of me— / Befriend them, lest Yourself in Heaven / Be found a Stranger, too—." Here, Dickinson is urging us to befriend strangers in order to avoid the same fate in heaven. The use of the word "protection" suggests that these strangers are vulnerable in some way, and need our help.

The second stanza goes on to expand on this theme of vulnerability, noting that we should consider ourselves less privileged than those who have seen God's Providence before. This is a call to humility, reminding us that we are all strangers in the grand scheme of things.

The third and final stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson writes that "The Feat He reckons poor toils," meaning that God does not consider our efforts to be significant. However, she also notes that the hand that immigrates to belong to God's "Exalted Band" is alien. This suggests that there is a paradox at play: while God does not see our actions as significant, they are still necessary to become a part of his kingdom.

Criticism

As with any poem, "These Strangers, in a foreign World" is not without its flaws. One possible critique is that it can be overly didactic, hammering home its message of kindness and humility in a way that feels heavy-handed. Additionally, the poem's language is quite formal and archaic, which may make it difficult for modern readers to connect with.

That being said, these criticisms should not detract from the poem's overall beauty and power. Dickinson's use of language is highly effective in conveying her message, and the poem's brevity makes it all the more impactful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "These Strangers, in a foreign World" is a remarkable poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound way. Dickinson's use of language and imagery are highly effective, and her message of kindness and humility is one that is just as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. While it is not without its flaws, "These Strangers, in a foreign World" remains a testament to Dickinson's poetic genius, and a reminder of the power of poetry to touch us deeply.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry These Strangers, in a foreign World: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, These Strangers, in a foreign World, is a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "These strangers, in a foreign world," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "strangers" suggests a sense of alienation and disconnection, while the phrase "foreign world" implies a sense of unfamiliarity and discomfort. This opening line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the experience of being an outsider in a world that is not one's own.

The second line of the poem, "Protection asked of me," introduces the idea of vulnerability and the need for safety and security. The speaker is being asked to provide protection, which suggests that they are in a position of power or authority. However, the fact that they are being asked for protection also implies that they are not entirely secure themselves. This creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that runs throughout the poem.

The third line, "They could not take me in," reinforces the idea of isolation and exclusion. The speaker is not able to be taken in by these strangers, which suggests that they are not welcome or accepted in this foreign world. This creates a sense of sadness and longing, as the speaker is unable to find a sense of belonging or connection.

The fourth line, "For I was born at home," introduces the idea of identity and belonging. The speaker is rooted in their own home, which suggests a sense of comfort and familiarity. However, this also creates a sense of distance and separation from the foreign world they find themselves in. The fact that the speaker was "born at home" suggests that their identity is tied to a specific place, and that they are not able to fully embrace or adapt to new environments.

The fifth line, "And they, born far away," reinforces the idea of distance and separation. The strangers in this foreign world are not only unfamiliar to the speaker, but they are also physically distant. This creates a sense of disconnection and isolation that is further emphasized by the use of the word "far."

The sixth line, "Do not understand my language," introduces the idea of communication and the barriers that can exist between people who speak different languages. The fact that the strangers do not understand the speaker's language suggests a sense of cultural difference and the challenges that can arise when trying to communicate across linguistic and cultural barriers.

The seventh line, "For I am of a different strain," reinforces the idea of difference and otherness. The speaker is not only linguistically and culturally different from the strangers, but they are also of a different "strain." This suggests a sense of biological or genetic difference, which creates a sense of distance and separation that is difficult to overcome.

The eighth and final line of the poem, "And they, of a different creed," introduces the idea of religious difference. The fact that the strangers are of a different creed suggests a sense of spiritual or philosophical difference that further reinforces the idea of otherness and separation.

Overall, These Strangers, in a foreign World is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the human condition. Through its use of language, imagery, and structure, the poem creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that is both haunting and beautiful. Emily Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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