'The Props assist the House' by Emily Dickinson

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The Props assist the House
Until the House is built
And then the Props withdraw
And adequate, erect,
The House support itself
And cease to recollect
The Auger and the Carpenter-
Just such a retrospect
Hath the perfected Life-
A past of Plank and Nail
And slowness-then the Scaffolds drop
Affirming it a Soul.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Props Assist the House: A Critique and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poetry has always been a source of fascination for literary enthusiasts. Her unique style of writing, marked by dashes and unconventional punctuation, has both confused and captivated her readers for generations. Among her most famous poems is "The Props assist the House," a poem that speaks to the fragility of human existence and the role that our possessions play in our lives. In this critique and interpretation, we will delve into the themes and motifs that Dickinson employs in this poem, as well as examine its significance in the context of her larger body of work.

Overview

"The Props assist the House" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. Its brevity belies its depth, however, as Dickinson packs a wealth of meaning into each line. The poem opens with the line "The Props assist the House," which immediately sets the tone for what is to come. Dickinson uses the metaphor of a house to represent human existence, and the props as the things that we use to support ourselves throughout our lives. The props could be physical possessions, relationships, or even our own beliefs and values.

Analysis

The first stanza of the poem reads:

"The Props assist the House Until the House is built And then the Props withdraw And adequate, erect,"

Here, Dickinson is speaking to the idea that we rely on external things to support us until we are able to stand on our own. The "house" represents our own existence, and the "props" are the things that we use to support ourselves until we are able to stand on our own two feet. This could refer to our parents, teachers, and other mentors who help us develop the skills and knowledge we need to survive in the world. It could also refer to our material possessions, which provide us with comfort and security until we are able to fend for ourselves.

The second stanza reads:

"The House subsiding, stands-- The Roof is scarcely firm-- The Cornice--in the Ground-- And Spire in the Air--"

Here, Dickinson addresses the idea that even when we have built our own lives and are able to stand on our own, our existence is still fragile. The "house subsiding" represents the setbacks and difficulties that we encounter throughout our lives. Despite our best efforts, we may still experience failure, disappointment, and loss. The "roof" that is "scarcely firm" represents the fact that even when things are going well, there is always the potential for something to go wrong. The "cornice in the ground" and "spire in the air" represent the extremes of our existence, from the lowest depths to the highest heights.

The third stanza reads:

"The Wind--Beguiles the Tree-- And then--a Trim succeeds-- The Wind--begets the Tree--" The Tree--the perfect Tree--"

Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of a tree to represent our own lives. The wind represents the challenges and difficulties that we face, and the "trim" that succeeds represents our ability to adapt and overcome those challenges. The "perfect tree" represents our ideal selves, the person that we aspire to be. Despite the setbacks and difficulties that we encounter, we are always striving to become better versions of ourselves.

The final stanza reads:

"Life's little, "acting" scheme, With scarce a "rehearsal" Begins itself--and ends-- And Periods--of Penury--"

Here, Dickinson speaks to the fleeting nature of human existence. Our lives are short and fleeting, and we only have one chance to live them to the fullest. The "acting scheme" represents the fact that our lives are like a play, with a beginning, middle, and end. The "periods of penury" represent the hardships and difficulties that we encounter throughout our lives. Despite these hardships, however, we are still able to find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Interpretation

"The Props assist the House" is a poem that speaks to the fragility of human existence and the role that our possessions play in our lives. It is a reminder that even when we have built our own lives and are able to stand on our own, our existence is still fragile and subject to the whims of fate. However, it is also a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty and hardship, we are still able to find purpose and meaning in our lives.

Overall, "The Props assist the House" is a poem that is both thought-provoking and meaningful. Dickinson's use of metaphor and symbolism is masterful, and the poem's brevity allows the reader to meditate on its themes and motifs without becoming overwhelmed. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet that her work continues to inspire and captivate readers more than a century after it was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Props assist the House: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many famous poems, "The Props assist the House" stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression and insight. In this essay, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and examine the various literary devices and techniques that Dickinson employs to convey her message.

At its core, "The Props assist the House" is a meditation on the fragility of human existence, and the ways in which we rely on external supports to sustain ourselves. The poem begins with the lines, "The Props assist the House / Until the House is built / And then the Props withdraw / And adequate, erect, / The House support itself / And cease to recollect / The Auger and the Carpenter - / Just such a retrospect / Hath the perfected Life - / A Past of Plank and Nail / And slowness - then the scaffolds drop / Affirming it a Soul -"

Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of a house to represent the human body and the various supports that we rely on to keep us alive. The "Props" in this case refer to the various tools and materials that are used to construct a house, such as planks, nails, and scaffolds. These supports are necessary during the building process, but once the house is complete, they are no longer needed. Similarly, Dickinson suggests that in life, we rely on various external supports to sustain us, such as food, shelter, and other basic necessities. However, once we have achieved a certain level of maturity and self-sufficiency, we no longer need these supports, and can stand on our own two feet.

The poem goes on to suggest that this process of growth and self-sufficiency is a natural part of life, and that it is ultimately a positive thing. Dickinson writes, "The Props retire / And adequate, erect, / The House sustains itself / And ceases to recollect / The Auger and the Carpenter - / Where then, the Scaffolds drop / Affirming it a Soul -" Here, she suggests that once we have achieved a certain level of self-sufficiency, we are able to let go of our reliance on external supports and stand on our own. This is a powerful metaphor for the process of personal growth and development, and suggests that even though we may need help and support at times, we are ultimately capable of standing on our own two feet.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Props assist the House" is the way in which Dickinson uses language to convey her message. Throughout the poem, she employs a variety of literary devices and techniques to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, she uses repetition to emphasize certain key phrases and ideas, such as "The Props assist the House" and "And adequate, erect, / The House support itself." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, and helps to reinforce the central message of the poem.

Dickinson also uses imagery to great effect in "The Props assist the House." For example, she describes the process of building a house in vivid detail, using words like "plank," "nail," and "scaffold" to create a sense of texture and physicality. This imagery helps to ground the poem in the real world, and makes it more relatable to readers. At the same time, Dickinson also uses more abstract imagery, such as the metaphor of the house itself, to convey deeper emotional and philosophical ideas.

Another important aspect of "The Props assist the House" is the way in which Dickinson uses structure and form to convey her message. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. This gives Dickinson a great deal of flexibility in terms of how she structures her lines and stanzas, and allows her to create a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. At the same time, however, the poem is also carefully crafted, with each line and stanza building on the ones that came before it. This creates a sense of coherence and unity, and helps to reinforce the central message of the poem.

In conclusion, "The Props assist the House" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of human existence and the process of personal growth and development. Through the metaphor of a house and its various supports, Emily Dickinson is able to convey a complex and nuanced message about the ways in which we rely on external supports to sustain us, and the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency and independence. Through her use of language, imagery, and structure, Dickinson creates a poem that is both beautiful and profound, and that continues to resonate with readers today.

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