'Reportless Subjects, to the Quick' by Emily Dickinson

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Reportless Subjects, to the Quick
Continual addressed-
But foreign as the Dialect
Of Danes, unto the rest.Reportless Measures, to the Ear
Susceptive-stimulus-
But like an Oriental Tale
To others, fabulous-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism

Have you ever read a poem and felt like it was written just for you? Like the poet knew your deepest thoughts and fears, and put them into words in a way that you never could? That's how I felt when I first read "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" by Emily Dickinson.

In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores themes of mortality, meaning, and the human experience. But what makes this poem so special, and why has it endured as a classic of American literature? Let's dig in and find out.

Structure and Form

First, let's take a look at the structure and form of the poem. "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" is written in a traditional rhyming quatrain format, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. Each line consists of eight syllables, creating a sense of balance and symmetry that reflects the poem's themes of order and chaos.

However, despite its formal structure, the poem is anything but orderly. Dickinson subverts our expectations with her use of language and imagery, creating an unsettling and ambiguous tone that keeps the reader off-balance.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking things about this poem is Dickinson's use of language and imagery. She employs a number of literary devices, such as metaphor, paradox, and synecdoche, to convey complex ideas and emotions in just a few lines.

For example, the phrase "Reportless Subjects" in the title is a paradoxical expression that suggests the limits of language in describing certain experiences. What are these "reportless subjects"? Perhaps they are the intangible aspects of our lives that defy explanation, such as our dreams, our emotions, or our sense of purpose.

Similarly, the phrase "to the Quick" in the title is a synecdoche that refers to the most sensitive part of the nail bed. This image suggests a sense of vulnerability and pain, as if the speaker is exposing a raw, tender part of themselves to the world.

Dickinson continues this theme of vulnerability and exposure in the first two lines of the poem:

"The heart asks pleasure first, And then, excuse from pain"

Here, the heart is personified as a separate entity from the speaker, suggesting a sense of distance between the self and one's desires. The heart's desire for pleasure is balanced against its need to avoid pain, creating a tension between the pursuit of happiness and the fear of suffering.

Themes

But what do these linguistic and poetic devices reveal about the poem's themes? At its core, "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" is a meditation on the human condition, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems arbitrary and cruel.

The idea of "reportless subjects" suggests that there are aspects of our lives that are beyond our comprehension or ability to explain. These might include experiences of love, death, or spirituality, which transcend language and logic. The poem implies that these experiences are essential to our sense of self and our connection to the world, even if we cannot fully articulate or understand them.

Similarly, the image of exposing one's "quick" suggests a sense of vulnerability and exposure, as if the speaker is offering up their most sensitive and fragile parts to the world. This vulnerability is a necessary precondition for experiencing pleasure and meaning, but it also exposes us to pain and suffering.

Overall, then, "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" is a poem about the paradoxical nature of the human experience. We are both fragile and resilient, vulnerable and strong, seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. Dickinson's use of language and imagery captures this complexity and ambiguity, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and the ways in which we navigate the challenges and joys of existence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" is a masterful poem that deserves its status as a classic of American literature. Through its use of structure, language, and imagery, it explores themes of mortality, meaning, and the human experience in a way that is both complex and accessible. Whether you are a longtime fan of Dickinson or a newcomer to her work, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" is a shining example of her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in just a few words. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea of the unknown and the unspoken, and how these things can be just as powerful as the things we can see and hear.

The poem begins with the line "Reportless subjects, to the quick," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "reportless" suggests that there are things happening that are not being reported or talked about, and the phrase "to the quick" implies that these things are happening quickly and without warning. This creates a sense of urgency and mystery that draws the reader in and makes them want to know more.

The second line of the poem reads, "What consternation is in woe," which further emphasizes the idea of the unknown and the unspoken. The word "consternation" suggests a feeling of confusion or dismay, and the phrase "in woe" implies that this feeling is related to some kind of suffering or pain. Again, Dickinson is creating a sense of mystery and intrigue that makes the reader want to know more.

The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "A flash of joy is possibly / Inferable from thee." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even in the midst of suffering and pain, there is still the possibility of joy. The word "flash" implies something sudden and unexpected, and the phrase "inferable from thee" suggests that this joy is coming from something or someone that is not immediately visible or tangible.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "The length is often as the one / We contemplate the sun." Here, Dickinson is drawing a comparison between the unknown and the unspoken and the vastness of the universe. The phrase "the length" suggests something that is immeasurable, and the comparison to the sun implies that these things are just as powerful and awe-inspiring as the natural world around us.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "A portion of that glory, / Whose unobtrusive name." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the unknown and the unspoken are just as glorious and magnificent as the things we can see and touch. The phrase "unobtrusive name" implies that these things are not often talked about or acknowledged, but they are still just as important and meaningful.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "Flings backward on the seas, / And intercepts the fame." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the unknown and the unspoken have the power to change the course of history and alter the way we think about the world. The phrase "flings backward on the seas" implies a sense of movement and change, and the phrase "intercepts the fame" suggests that these things have the power to disrupt the status quo and challenge our assumptions.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "The love of whom we speak / Is no ignoble flame." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the unknown and the unspoken are often related to love and passion. The phrase "no ignoble flame" implies that these things are just as noble and worthy of attention as the things we can see and touch.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "Reportless dim to no acclaim, / But human as the name." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the unknown and the unspoken are just as human and relatable as anything else. The phrase "reportless dim to no acclaim" implies that these things are often overlooked or ignored, but the phrase "human as the name" suggests that they are just as important and meaningful as anything else.

Overall, "Reportless Subjects, to the Quick" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the idea of the unknown and the unspoken. Through her use of language and imagery, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that draws the reader in and makes them want to know more. She suggests that even in the midst of suffering and pain, there is still the possibility of joy, and that the unknown and the unspoken have the power to change the course of history and alter the way we think about the world. Ultimately, Dickinson reminds us that the unknown and the unspoken are just as human and relatable as anything else, and that they are worthy of our attention and consideration.

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