'Let my first Knowing be of thee' by Emily Dickinson
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Let my first Knowing be of thee
With morning's warming Light-
And my first Fearing, lest Unknowns
Engulf thee in the night-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Let my First Knowing be of Thee" by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Symbolism and Themes of the Poem
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, was known for her unconventional style and the depth of her poems. "Let my First Knowing be of Thee" is a great example of her poetic genius, and in this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the symbolism and themes of the poem.
Overview
"Let my First Knowing be of Thee" is a short poem that consists of only four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is quite dense and packed with meaning. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker expresses her desire to know something or someone.
Let my first Knowing be of Thee With morning’s warming light— To know Thee—faints the Tempting need— Though the Tradition stings—
Symbolism
The poem is rich with symbolism, and the first symbol that we encounter is the "morning’s warming light." This symbol represents a new beginning, hope, and optimism. It is also a symbol of enlightenment and knowledge, as the light represents the illumination of the mind.
The second symbol that we encounter is "Thee," which represents God. The speaker expresses her desire to know God first, before anything else. This symbol is significant because it shows the speaker's priorities, and her belief that knowing God is the most important thing.
The third symbol that we encounter is the "tempting need" to know God. This symbol represents the speaker's desire to know God, and her belief that knowing God is essential for her well-being.
Finally, the "Tradition stings" symbol represents the speaker's struggle with tradition and convention. The speaker is aware that tradition and convention dictate what she should know first, but she rejects this and instead chooses to prioritize knowing God.
Theme
The central theme of the poem is the importance of knowing God. The speaker believes that knowing God should be the first priority for anyone, and that it is essential for personal growth and well-being. The poem also addresses the conflict between tradition and individual beliefs. The speaker rejects tradition and convention, and instead chooses to follow her own beliefs.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson uses several literary devices to convey her message in the poem. One of the most prominent literary devices is repetition. The repetition of the word "knowing" emphasizes the importance of knowing God. The repetition of the word "Thee" also emphasizes the significance of God in the speaker's life.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses is the contrast between the "tempting need" to know God and the "Tradition stings." This contrast emphasizes the speaker's struggle with tradition and convention, and her desire to prioritize her own beliefs over the expectations of society.
The poem also contains a paradox. The speaker states that "To know Thee—faints the Tempting need," which means that the desire to know God is overwhelming and yet the speaker is faint in her attempt to know God. This paradox emphasizes the importance of knowing God and the difficulty of achieving this knowledge.
Analysis
"Let my First Knowing be of Thee" is a powerful poem that speaks to the importance of knowing God. The symbolism of the morning's warming light represents the hope and new beginning that comes with knowing God. The symbol of "Thee" represents God, and the speaker's desire to know God first shows her belief that this knowledge is essential for personal growth and well-being.
The conflict between tradition and individual beliefs is also addressed in the poem, as the speaker rejects tradition and convention and instead chooses to follow her own beliefs. The paradox of the poem emphasizes the importance of knowing God and the difficulty of achieving this knowledge.
Overall, "Let my First Knowing be of Thee" is a thought-provoking poem that encourages readers to consider the importance of knowing God and the conflict between tradition and individual beliefs. Emily Dickinson's use of symbolism, literary devices, and paradoxes make this poem a powerful and memorable work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Let My First Knowing Be of Thee: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in American literature, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many poems, "Let My First Knowing Be of Thee" stands out as a classic example of her unique style and poetic vision. In this essay, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem, and examine how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with a simple yet profound statement: "Let my first knowing be of thee." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it expresses the speaker's desire to know and understand God above all else. The word "knowing" is significant here, as it suggests a deep and intimate knowledge that goes beyond mere intellectual understanding. The speaker is not content with a superficial or theoretical knowledge of God; she wants to experience God in a personal and meaningful way.
The next few lines of the poem expand on this theme, as the speaker describes the various ways in which she wants to know God. She wants to know God "as the sun knows the day," which suggests a natural and instinctive knowledge that is innate and unforced. She also wants to know God "as the wave knows the shore," which suggests a sense of belonging and connection. The image of the wave and the shore also implies a sense of movement and change, as the wave is constantly in motion and the shore is constantly changing.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a new image, that of the "bird that soars on high." This image suggests a sense of freedom and transcendence, as the bird is able to rise above the earthly realm and soar into the heavens. The speaker wants to know God in this way, as someone who is able to transcend the limitations of the physical world and reach for something higher and more profound.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes and images together, as the speaker expresses her desire to know God "as the heart knows its own beat." This image suggests a sense of intimacy and closeness, as the heart is the most vital and essential part of the human body. The speaker wants to know God in this way, as someone who is intimately connected to her own being and her own sense of purpose and meaning.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of poetic devices to convey her message and create a sense of depth and complexity. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery, which is rich and evocative. The images of the sun, the wave, the bird, and the heart all contribute to the overall meaning of the poem, as they suggest different aspects of the speaker's desire to know God. The use of metaphor and simile also adds to the poem's impact, as it creates a sense of comparison and contrast that helps to clarify and deepen the meaning of the poem.
Another important aspect of the poem is its use of language, which is simple and direct yet also highly poetic. The repetition of the phrase "Let my first knowing be of thee" creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis, while the use of alliteration and assonance adds to the musicality of the poem. The use of capitalization for the word "Thee" also adds to the poem's religious and spiritual tone, as it suggests a sense of reverence and respect for God.
In terms of its overall meaning, "Let My First Knowing Be of Thee" can be seen as a meditation on the nature of faith and spirituality. The speaker's desire to know God in a deep and intimate way reflects a common theme in religious and spiritual traditions, as people seek to connect with something greater than themselves and find meaning and purpose in their lives. The poem also suggests a sense of humility and reverence, as the speaker acknowledges her own limitations and seeks to reach beyond them.
In conclusion, "Let My First Knowing Be of Thee" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and poetic vision. Through its use of imagery, language, and themes, the poem conveys a powerful message about the nature of faith and spirituality, and invites readers to reflect on their own relationship with the divine. Whether read as a religious or a secular poem, it remains a timeless and inspiring work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
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