'Now I lay thee down to Sleep-' by Emily Dickinson
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Now I lay thee down to Sleep-
I pray the Lord thy Dust to keep-
And if thou live before thou wake-
I pray the Lord thy Soul to make-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Now I lay thee down to Sleep" by Emily Dickinson: A Poetic Exploration
When you hear the phrase “Now I lay me down to sleep,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a childhood prayer, recited before bed, asking for protection and guidance. But for Emily Dickinson, this phrase took on a new meaning, one that she explored in her poem "Now I lay thee down to Sleep." In this 20-line poem, Dickinson delves into the themes of love, death, and the afterlife, using her signature style of brevity and ambiguity to create a haunting and unforgettable piece of literature.
Analysis of the Poem
First, let us take a closer look at the structure and content of the poem. "Now I lay thee down to Sleep" is divided into two stanzas, each containing ten lines. The rhyme scheme is irregular, with some lines rhyming and others not, but the overall effect is one of musicality and flow. The poem is addressed to an unnamed person, referred to as "thee," who is being laid down to sleep by the speaker. At first glance, this may seem like a simple lullaby, but as we delve deeper into the poem, it becomes clear that there is much more going on here than meets the eye.
The opening line, "Now I lay thee down to Sleep," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. By using the archaic "thee" instead of "you," Dickinson creates a sense of timelessness and universality. This is not just a poem about one person's experience, but a meditation on the human condition as a whole. The phrase "lay thee down to sleep" also has a double meaning, as it could refer to the act of going to bed or to the final sleep of death. This ambiguity is characteristic of Dickinson's style, and it allows the reader to interpret the poem in multiple ways.
The second line, "I pray the Lord thy soul to keep," is a reference to the aforementioned childhood prayer. However, Dickinson puts her own spin on it by changing "my" to "the Lord." This suggests that the speaker does not have the power to protect the person they are addressing, and that they are relying on a higher power to do so. The use of the word "thy" instead of "your" also adds to the archaic, almost biblical feel of the poem.
The third line, "His angels watch thee through the night," furthers the idea of divine protection. The angels are watching over the person while they sleep, providing a sense of comfort and safety. However, the use of the word "His" instead of "God's" or "the Lord's" is interesting. It could be interpreted as a reference to the speaker's own beliefs about religion or spirituality, or it could be seen as a deliberate choice on Dickinson's part to distance herself from traditional religious language.
The fourth and fifth lines, "And keep thee in their blessed sight / And wake thee with the morning light," continue the theme of protection and safety. The person is being kept in the angels' sight, and will be awakened by the morning light. This suggests a sense of renewal and possibility, as if each new day brings with it a fresh start.
The sixth line, "And oh, if any pain should be," marks a transition in the poem. Up until this point, the speaker has been focused on providing comfort and protection. But now, they acknowledge the possibility of pain. This could refer to physical pain, emotional pain, or the pain of death itself. The use of the word "if" suggests that the pain is not inevitable, but still a possibility.
The seventh and eighth lines, "May angels kiss it all away / And leave thee happy till the day," continue the theme of angels and protection. The angels will kiss away any pain, and leave the person happy until the day they die. The use of the word "happy" is interesting, as it suggests that the person is not just being protected, but actively experiencing happiness. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the afterlife, with the person being promised a happy existence beyond death.
The ninth line, "Then wake thee from a gentle sleep," is a repetition of the earlier theme of awakening. However, the use of the phrase "gentle sleep" adds a new dimension to the poem. This suggests that the person's final sleep will be peaceful and painless, rather than a violent or traumatic experience.
The final line, "Which angels watch, and vigils keep," brings the poem full circle. The angels are still watching over the person, keeping vigil as they sleep. This reinforces the idea of protection and safety, but also suggests a sense of continuity. The person may be gone, but the angels are still watching over them, providing a sense of connection and continuity beyond death.
Interpretation of the Poem
So what does "Now I lay thee down to Sleep" mean, exactly? As with many of Dickinson's poems, the interpretation is open to debate. However, there are a few key themes that emerge from the text.
The first and most obvious theme is that of love and protection. The speaker is deeply invested in the person they are addressing, and wants to provide them with comfort and safety. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the importance of human connections, and the power of love to provide solace in times of distress.
The second theme is that of death and the afterlife. The poem suggests that death is not an end, but rather a continuation of existence. The person being addressed is promised protection and happiness beyond death, and the angels are still watching over them even after they are gone. This could be interpreted as a commentary on religious beliefs, or as a more general meditation on the mysteries of life and death.
The third theme is that of ambiguity and interpretation. "Now I lay thee down to Sleep" is a poem that is open to multiple readings and interpretations. The use of archaic language, ambiguous phrasing, and metaphorical language all contribute to the sense of mystery and uncertainty that pervades the poem. This could be seen as a deliberate choice on Dickinson's part, as she invites the reader to participate in the creation of meaning.
Conclusion
"Now I lay thee down to Sleep" is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores themes of love, death, and the afterlife. With her characteristic brevity and ambiguity, Emily Dickinson creates a piece of literature that is open to multiple readings and interpretations. Whether read as a lullaby, a meditation on the human condition, or a commentary on religious belief, this poem is a testament to the power of words to move and inspire us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for artists to convey their deepest emotions and thoughts. One such artist who has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry is Emily Dickinson. Her poem, "Now I lay thee down to Sleep," is a classic example of her unique style and profound insight into the human psyche.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a person who is about to go to sleep. The speaker says, "Now I lay thee down to sleep, I pray the Lord thy soul to keep." This is a common prayer that is often recited before going to bed. However, the speaker adds a personal touch to it by saying, "If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." This line adds a sense of urgency and mortality to the prayer, making it more poignant.
The second stanza of the poem is where Dickinson's unique style comes to the fore. She writes, "And if I should live for other days, I pray the Lord to guide my ways." This line shows the speaker's concern for the future and her desire to be guided by a higher power. The use of the word "guide" suggests that the speaker is not looking for a specific answer but rather a general direction in life.
The third stanza of the poem is where Dickinson's profound insight into the human psyche is evident. She writes, "Lord, make me kind in word and deed, gentle in thought and brave in need." This line shows the speaker's desire to be a better person and to live a life of kindness and compassion. The use of the word "brave" suggests that the speaker is aware of the challenges that life can bring and is willing to face them with courage.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where Dickinson's mastery of language is evident. She writes, "Help me to do the best I can, and when this day is done, forgive me what I've left undone." This line shows the speaker's humility and her awareness of her own limitations. The use of the word "forgive" suggests that the speaker is aware of her own imperfections and is willing to accept them.
The final stanza of the poem is where Dickinson's poetic genius shines through. She writes, "These things I ask and if I die, I pray the Lord my soul to take." This line brings the poem full circle and adds a sense of finality to it. The use of the word "die" suggests that the speaker is aware of her own mortality and is willing to accept it.
In conclusion, "Now I lay thee down to Sleep" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and profound insight into the human psyche. The poem is a prayer that is both personal and universal, expressing the speaker's desire to be guided by a higher power and to live a life of kindness and compassion. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her poetic genius, making it a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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