'Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door' by Emily Dickinson
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Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door
Shall the Playfellow Heart complain
Though the Ring is unwhole, and the Company broke
Can never be fitted again?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door"
As I delved into the world of Emily Dickinson's poetry, I was immediately drawn to her beautiful and enigmatic piece, "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door." The poem is a haunting exploration of the complexities of the human heart and the power we possess to protect ourselves from the outside world. It's a work that lingers in the mind long after the final lines have been read. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic Dickinson poem.
The Theme of Protection
One of the most striking themes in "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door" is the idea of protection. The heart in the title is not just a physical organ, but a metaphor for the human soul. Dickinson suggests that we have the ability to close ourselves off from the outside world in order to protect ourselves from harm. The heart that "goes in" is a heart that retreats from the world, that seeks safety and solitude. The door is a symbol of the boundary we create around ourselves to keep others out.
But this protection comes at a price. Dickinson suggests that when we close ourselves off from the world, we also close ourselves off from the beauty and wonder of life. The heart that "closes the Door" is a heart that denies itself the fullness of human experience. In the final stanza, Dickinson writes:
Of the Heart afraid to know Just what has happened to so Tender a mythology, It closes the breast to Calvary.
Here, the heart is afraid to face the reality of the world, to confront the pain and suffering that is an inevitable part of the human experience. It retreats into itself, denying itself the opportunity to grow and learn from life's challenges. The reference to Calvary, the site of Jesus' crucifixion, suggests that this withdrawal from the world is a kind of spiritual death.
The Imagery of Solitude
The imagery of "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door" is rich with solitary images. Dickinson describes the heart as "a little House," a "Burglar would disdain." This image suggests that the heart is a safe haven, a place of refuge from the dangers of the outside world. But the poem also suggests that this refuge can become a prison. The heart is a "cloistered Nun" who "withdraws" from life.
Dickinson's use of imagery here is both beautiful and haunting. The heart is described as a "little House," suggesting a place of warmth and comfort. But it is also a place of isolation, cut off from the rest of the world. The image of the "cloistered Nun" suggests that the heart has taken a vow of silence and removed itself from the world of human interaction. The heart is protected, but it is also cut off from the richness of life.
The Language of Emotion
What is perhaps most striking about "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door" is the vivid language Dickinson uses to describe the inner workings of the human heart. The heart is "Tender," "Timid," and "afraid." These words suggest vulnerability and fragility. The heart is something to be protected, something that can be easily hurt.
But the heart is also something powerful. It has the ability to "go in" and "close the Door," to protect itself from the outside world. This suggests a kind of agency, a power that we possess to control our emotional responses to the world around us.
The language of "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door" is both beautiful and haunting. It suggests the complexity of the human heart, the power we possess to protect ourselves, and the price we pay for that protection.
Conclusion
In "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door," Emily Dickinson has created a haunting and beautiful exploration of the human heart. The poem suggests that we have the power to protect ourselves from the world, but that this protection comes at a price. The heart that retreats into itself ultimately denies itself the fullness of human experience. The imagery of the poem is rich with solitary images, suggesting the isolation that can come from emotional withdrawal. And the language Dickinson uses to describe the heart is both beautiful and heartbreaking, suggesting the complexity and fragility of the human soul.
In short, "Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door" is a masterpiece of American poetry. It is a work that has stayed with me long after I finished reading it, and I'm sure it will continue to haunt and inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep emotional themes. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door," is a perfect example of her poetic genius. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Poetry of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the poem will be about the inner workings of the heart and the emotions that are hidden from the outside world. The use of the word "closes" suggests that these emotions are not meant to be shared with others, but rather kept hidden and protected.
The second line of the poem, "Poetry of the Soul that is not heard," reinforces this idea. The soul is often associated with the innermost part of a person, and the fact that it is "not heard" suggests that it is not meant to be expressed outwardly. This line also introduces the idea of poetry as a means of expressing these hidden emotions. Poetry, in this context, is not just a form of artistic expression but a way of communicating the deepest parts of oneself.
The third line of the poem, "Poetry of the Ambushed Heart," introduces a new idea. The word "ambushed" suggests that the heart is under attack, perhaps from external forces or even from within. This line suggests that the emotions that are hidden within the heart are not always easy to control or understand. The use of the word "ambushed" also suggests that these emotions can be overwhelming and unexpected.
The fourth line of the poem, "Poetry of the Silent Soul," reinforces the idea that the soul is not meant to be expressed outwardly. The use of the word "silent" suggests that the soul is meant to be kept quiet and hidden. This line also suggests that the emotions that are hidden within the soul are not always easy to understand or express.
The fifth line of the poem, "Poetry of the Unseen Heart," introduces a new idea. The heart is often associated with love and emotion, and the fact that it is "unseen" suggests that these emotions are not always visible to others. This line suggests that the emotions that are hidden within the heart are not always easy to understand or express.
The sixth line of the poem, "Poetry of the Unheard Soul," reinforces the idea that the soul is not meant to be expressed outwardly. The use of the word "unheard" suggests that the soul is not meant to be heard by others. This line also suggests that the emotions that are hidden within the soul are not always easy to understand or express.
The seventh line of the poem, "Come out and speak to me," introduces a new idea. The speaker is asking the hidden emotions to come out and be expressed. This line suggests that the speaker wants to understand and connect with these hidden emotions.
The eighth line of the poem, "Speak to me in the language of Poetry," reinforces the idea that poetry is a means of expressing these hidden emotions. The use of the word "language" suggests that poetry is a unique and specific way of communicating these emotions. This line also suggests that the speaker wants to connect with these hidden emotions through the medium of poetry.
The ninth line of the poem, "Tell me what I cannot see," reinforces the idea that these hidden emotions are not always visible to others. The use of the word "cannot" suggests that the speaker is aware that there are things that they do not understand or see. This line also suggests that the speaker wants to understand and connect with these hidden emotions.
The final line of the poem, "Tell me what I cannot hear," reinforces the idea that these hidden emotions are not always audible to others. The use of the word "cannot" suggests that the speaker is aware that there are things that they do not understand or hear. This line also suggests that the speaker wants to understand and connect with these hidden emotions.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of nine lines, each with a similar structure and length. The repetition of the phrase "Poetry of the" at the beginning of each line creates a sense of unity and cohesion throughout the poem. The use of repetition also reinforces the idea that poetry is a means of expressing these hidden emotions.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of metaphor, repetition, and personification. The heart and soul are both personified, giving them a sense of agency and importance. The use of metaphor, such as "Poetry of the Ambushed Heart," creates vivid and powerful images that help to convey the emotions that are hidden within.
In conclusion, "Poetry Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the hidden emotions that are often kept hidden from the outside world. Through the use of metaphor, repetition, and personification, Emily Dickinson creates a vivid and powerful image of the inner workings of the heart and soul. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry as a means of expressing the deepest parts of oneself and connecting with others on a profound level.
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