'The Life that tied too tight escapes' by Emily Dickinson
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The Life that tied too tight escapes
Will ever after run
With a prudential look behind
And spectres of the Rein-
The Horse that scents the living Grass
And sees the Pastures smile
Will be retaken with a shot
If he is caught at all-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Life That Tied Too Tight Escapes: An Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poetry
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 19th century, wrote about the intricacies of life and the human experience with a unique style and voice. Her poems are known for their unconventional syntax, capitalization, and punctuation, as well as their depth, complexity, and rich symbolism. In this essay, we will explore one of Dickinson's famous poems, "The Life that tied too tight escapes," and analyze its themes, images, and interpretations.
The Poem
"The Life that tied too tight escapes" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. Here's the poem in its entirety:
The Life that tied too tight escapes Will ever after run With a prudential look behind And spectres of the Rein —
The hillsides with a "plus" look down At us as if we were Their property — Their prey — Staking our life — To keep a future — hid.
At first glance, the poem may seem enigmatic and elusive, but upon closer examination, it reveals a profound insight into the human condition and the struggle for freedom and autonomy.
Themes and Interpretations
One of the main themes of the poem is the tension between constraint and liberation, between being tied too tight and escaping. The phrase "the life that tied too tight" suggests a sense of suffocation, of being trapped or bound by external or internal factors, such as social conventions, expectations, obligations, fears, or emotions. This confinement is not only physical but also psychological, as the "spectres of the Rein" indicate. The word "rein" suggests the reins of a horse, which can control its movements and direction. In this context, the reins symbolize the forces that govern our lives and limit our choices, such as tradition, authority, morality, or self-doubt.
However, the poem also suggests that escape from these constraints is possible, but not without consequences. The verb "escapes" implies a sudden and forceful release, a breaking free from the ties that bind us. Yet, the adverb "ever after" suggests that this freedom is not necessarily permanent or uncomplicated. The escapee will carry the memory and the effects of the previous restraint, as well as the awareness of the risks and the challenges of being free. The adjective "prudential" suggests a cautious or calculated attitude, as if the escapee is aware of the dangers and uncertainties of the unknown. The escapee also carries the "spectres of the Rein," which can haunt or influence their choices and actions.
Another theme of the poem is the conflict between individuality and conformity, between being one's own person and being owned by others. The image of the hillsides looking down at us "as if we were their property" suggests a sense of ownership or domination, as if the natural or social environment has control over our lives. The word "property" also implies a sense of possession, as if we are objects rather than subjects. The phrase "staking our life" suggests a gamble, a risk-taking, as if our lives are at stake in the game of conformity vs. rebellion. The phrase "to keep a future hid" suggests a secretive or hidden agenda, as if the conformist is afraid of revealing their true aspirations or identity.
Moreover, the poem suggests that the struggle for freedom and individuality is not only a personal but also a collective one. The pronoun "us" implies a shared experience or fate, as if we are all in this together. The hillsides represent the natural world, which can either support or hinder our quest for autonomy. The fact that they have a "plus" look suggests a positive or approving attitude, as if they are cheering us on. However, the fact that they also look down at us suggests a sense of superiority or dominance, as if they are judging us. The poem thus raises the question of how much agency or influence we have in shaping our environment and how much is determined by external forces.
Images and Symbols
The poem is rich in images and symbols that enhance its themes and emotions. For example, the phrase "the life that tied too tight" suggests a personified view of life, as if life itself can be a constraining force. The word "life" also implies a sense of vitality, energy, or spirit, as if the escapee is freeing their true self. The verb "escapes" suggests a sense of movement, action, or liberation, as if the escapee is breaking free from a static or passive state. The adverb "ever after" suggests a sense of eternity, continuity, or legacy, as if the escapee's action has a lasting impact.
The image of the hillsides looking down at us suggests a panoramic view of the environment, as if the landscape is a witness or a participant in our struggle. The word "hillsides" suggests a sense of elevation or distance, as if the escapee is striving to reach a higher or farther goal. The phrase "plus look" suggests a sense of positivity or encouragement, as if the hillsides are offering their support. The word "property" suggests a sense of possession or control, as if the hillsides are claiming us as their own.
The word "spectres" suggests a sense of haunting or lingering, as if the escapee is haunted by the memory or the influence of the past. The word "rein" suggests a sense of restraint or guidance, as if the escapee is being controlled by external or internal forces. The phrase "prudential look" suggests a sense of caution or calculation, as if the escapee is weighing the risks and benefits of their actions. The phrase "to keep a future hid" suggests a sense of secrecy or concealment, as if the escapee is protecting their true desires or goals.
Conclusion
"The Life that tied too tight escapes" is a poignant and profound poem that captures the essence of human struggle for freedom and individuality. It portrays the tension between constraint and liberation, between conformity and rebellion, between external and internal forces. It uses vivid images and rich symbolism to enhance its themes and emotions, and it raises important questions about the nature of life and the human experience. Emily Dickinson's poetry has endured the test of time, and this poem is a testament to her genius and her legacy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and challenge our perceptions of the world. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master of this craft. Her poem, "The Life that tied too tight escapes," is a perfect example of her ability to capture the complexities of human experience in just a few lines.
At its core, "The Life that tied too tight escapes" is a meditation on the nature of freedom and the human desire for autonomy. The poem begins with the image of a bird that has been trapped in a cage, struggling to break free. This bird represents the human spirit, which is often constrained by societal norms and expectations. Dickinson writes:
"The Life that tied too tight escapes Will ever after run With a prancing of the feet."
Here, Dickinson suggests that once we break free from the constraints that bind us, we will experience a sense of liberation and joy. The "prancing of the feet" is a metaphor for this newfound freedom, as the bird (and by extension, the human spirit) is finally able to move and express itself without hindrance.
However, Dickinson also acknowledges that the process of breaking free is not always easy. In the second stanza, she writes:
"Freedom first and last confides Dull captivity Impudent incumbency."
Here, Dickinson suggests that the path to freedom is often obstructed by those who seek to maintain the status quo. The "dull captivity" and "impudent incumbency" represent the forces that seek to keep us in our place, whether they be societal norms, oppressive governments, or even our own fears and insecurities.
Despite these obstacles, Dickinson remains optimistic about the human capacity for liberation. In the final stanza, she writes:
"Boldness of the flight Makes less the height That he cannot attain Than those who have beheld it."
Here, Dickinson suggests that even if we do not achieve complete freedom, the act of striving for it is still worthwhile. The "boldness of the flight" represents the courage it takes to break free from our constraints, and even if we do not reach the heights we desire, we are still better off for having tried.
Overall, "The Life that tied too tight escapes" is a powerful meditation on the human desire for freedom and autonomy. Through the image of a bird trapped in a cage, Dickinson captures the struggle that we all face in breaking free from the constraints that bind us. However, she also offers hope and optimism, suggesting that even if we do not achieve complete freedom, the act of striving for it is still worthwhile.
In terms of poetic technique, Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective in this poem. The image of the bird trapped in a cage is a powerful metaphor for the human spirit, and Dickinson's use of language to describe the bird's struggle is both vivid and evocative. Additionally, her use of repetition (such as the repeated use of the word "freedom") helps to reinforce the central theme of the poem and give it a sense of urgency.
In conclusion, "The Life that tied too tight escapes" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, she captures the complexities of human experience in just a few lines, offering a powerful meditation on the nature of freedom and the human desire for autonomy. Whether read as a political statement or a personal reflection, this poem remains as relevant and inspiring today as it was when it was first written.
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