'So large my Will' by Emily Dickinson
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So large my Will
The little that I may
Embarrasses
Like gentle infamy-Affront to Him
For whom the Whole were small
Affront to me
Who know His Meed of all.Earth at the best
Is but a scanty Toy-
Bought, carried Home
To Immortality.It looks so small
We chiefly wonder then
At our Conceit
In purchasing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
So large my Will by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Feminist Poetry
Emily Dickinson's "So large my Will" is a poem that speaks to the heart of the feminist movement. In this work, Dickinson displays her ability to subvert traditional gender roles and to explore the expanding role of women in society. This poetic masterpiece is both an expression of her personal beliefs and a reflection of the changing times in which Dickinson lived.
A Feminist Perspective on "So Large My Will"
Feminism was not a term that Emily Dickinson would have been familiar with, but her poetry is steeped in the themes of gender equality and women's rights. In "So large my Will," Dickinson asserts herself as an equal to men in both intellect and ambition. The poem is a powerful statement of female empowerment, as it challenges the traditional notion of women as passive and subservient.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the feminist message that Dickinson is conveying. She writes, "So large my Will, the little that I may / Embarrasses, like gentle infamy." Here, Dickinson is stating that her ambition and determination are so great that the limitations placed on her by society are only a hindrance. The term "gentle infamy" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that Dickinson sees her own success as something that is both desirable and scandalous.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson continues to assert her independence and her right to pursue her own desires. She writes, "I felt a Cleaving in my Mind / As if my Brain had split." This image of the brain splitting is a powerful metaphor for the internal struggle that women faced in the nineteenth century. Women were expected to be obedient and subservient, but Dickinson is rejecting this expectation and forging her own path.
The final lines of the poem are particularly striking, as they suggest that Dickinson's ambition and determination will ultimately overcome any obstacles in her way. She writes, "The Floods stood solid, and the Suns / Were gathering fires in the Heavens." This image of the floods standing solid suggests that Dickinson's will is stronger than any natural force, while the gathering fires in the heavens suggest that her ambition will eventually lead to success.
The Role of Nature in "So Large My Will"
Nature is a recurring theme in Emily Dickinson's poetry, and "So Large My Will" is no exception. In this poem, nature serves as a backdrop to Dickinson's personal struggle for independence and self-determination. The natural world is portrayed as both a force of resistance and a source of inspiration for the speaker.
The opening lines of the poem suggest that nature is a barrier that the speaker must overcome. She writes, "So large my Will, the little that I may / Embarrasses, like gentle infamy" (lines 1-2). Here, the speaker is suggesting that her ambition is so great that even the natural world is unable to contain it. This image of the speaker's will as a force that is larger than nature is repeated throughout the poem.
However, nature is also a source of inspiration for the speaker. She writes, "The Ocean, like a Bowl, / Discloses its Coral Lip" (lines 7-8). The image of the ocean as a bowl that reveals its secrets suggests that nature is willing to share its wisdom with the speaker. This idea is reinforced in the final lines of the poem, where the speaker suggests that her will is in harmony with the natural world: "The Floods stood solid, and the Suns / Were gathering fires in the Heavens" (lines 13-14).
The Importance of Ambition in "So Large My Will"
Ambition is a central theme in "So Large My Will." Emily Dickinson is exploring the idea that ambition is a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle. The speaker in the poem is determined to achieve her goals, regardless of the challenges that she may face.
The opening lines of the poem suggest that the speaker's ambition is so great that it is almost overwhelming. She writes, "So large my Will, the little that I may / Embarrasses, like gentle infamy" (lines 1-2). Here, the speaker is suggesting that her ambition is so all-encompassing that even the limitations placed on her by society are insufficient to contain it.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's determination becomes even more apparent. She writes, "I felt a Cleaving in my Mind / As if my Brain had split" (lines 3-4). This image of the brain splitting is a powerful metaphor for the determination and focus that the speaker possesses. She is willing to undergo any hardship or struggle in order to achieve her goals.
The final lines of the poem suggest that the speaker's determination will ultimately lead to success. She writes, "The Floods stood solid, and the Suns / Were gathering fires in the Heavens" (lines 13-14). This image of nature being in harmony with the speaker's will suggests that her ambition is a force that is larger than any obstacle.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's "So Large My Will" is a feminist masterpiece that challenges traditional gender roles and explores the expanding role of women in society. The poem is a powerful statement of female empowerment, as it asserts the speaker's independence and right to pursue her own desires. Nature serves as both a force of resistance and a source of inspiration for the speaker, while ambition is a central theme that is explored throughout the poem. Overall, "So Large My Will" is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to move us in ways that we cannot even begin to fathom. It can make us feel a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, from love to despair. Emily Dickinson's poem, "So large my Will," is a perfect example of how poetry can evoke a sense of wonder and awe in us.
The poem begins with the line, "So large my Will," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is describing the vastness of their will, which suggests that they have a strong desire or determination to achieve something. The use of the word "large" emphasizes the magnitude of this desire, making it clear that it is not something that can be easily dismissed.
The next line, "The little that I saw / Outweighs the largest town," is a powerful statement that speaks to the idea that sometimes the smallest things can have the greatest impact on us. The speaker is saying that even though they have a strong will, the things they have seen are more important than any city or town they have ever visited. This suggests that the speaker has had some profound experiences that have shaped their worldview.
The third line, "For I have travelled far," reinforces this idea of the speaker having had significant experiences. The use of the word "travelled" suggests that the speaker has gone on a journey, both physically and metaphorically. This journey has taken them to places that have expanded their understanding of the world and themselves.
The fourth line, "And seen the Universe," is a bold statement that speaks to the speaker's sense of wonder and awe. The use of the word "Universe" suggests that the speaker has seen something that is beyond the scope of our everyday experience. This could be interpreted as a spiritual experience or a moment of profound insight.
The fifth line, "And yet to Thee," is a turning point in the poem. The speaker shifts their focus from their own experiences to the person they are addressing. The use of the word "Thee" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone of great importance, perhaps a deity or a loved one.
The sixth line, "My little Life is bound," is a statement of humility. The speaker acknowledges that despite their vast experiences and strong will, their life is still limited in some way. This could be interpreted as a recognition of their own mortality or a sense of being small in the grand scheme of things.
The seventh line, "But a single Continent," is a continuation of this idea of limitation. The use of the word "Continent" suggests that the speaker sees their life as a small part of a larger whole. This could be interpreted as a recognition of the interconnectedness of all things or a sense of being part of something greater than oneself.
The eighth line, "Its Boundaries are unknown," is a statement of mystery. The speaker acknowledges that they do not know the full extent of their own life or what lies beyond its boundaries. This could be interpreted as a recognition of the unknown or a sense of wonder at the possibilities that lie ahead.
The ninth line, "For though its seas are Charted," is a continuation of this idea of mystery. The use of the word "Charted" suggests that the speaker has some understanding of their own life, but there is still much that is unknown. This could be interpreted as a recognition of the limits of human knowledge or a sense of humility in the face of the unknown.
The final line, "Itself has never been," is a powerful statement that speaks to the idea that our lives are constantly evolving and changing. The use of the word "Itself" suggests that the speaker sees their life as something that is constantly in flux, always becoming something new. This could be interpreted as a recognition of the impermanence of all things or a sense of excitement at the possibilities that lie ahead.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem, "So large my Will," is a powerful statement about the human experience. The speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the world around them is palpable, and their recognition of the limits of their own life is both humbling and inspiring. This poem is a reminder that even though our lives may be small in the grand scheme of things, they are still full of wonder and possibility.
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