'It stole along so stealthy' by Emily Dickinson

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It stole along so stealthy
Suspicion it was done
Was dim as to the wealthy
Beginning not to own-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"It stole along so stealthy" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson is considered one of the most influential American poets of the 19th century. Her poems, characterized by their unconventional style, vivid imagery, and complex themes, have captured the attention and admiration of readers all over the world. One of her most haunting and enigmatic works is the poem "It stole along so stealthy," which has puzzled and fascinated scholars and readers alike for decades. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, language, symbolism, and themes, offering insights into its meaning and significance.

Overview of the poem

"It stole along so stealthy" is a short, four-stanza poem that consists of sixteen lines. The poem's title hints at the central theme of the poem, which is the idea of stealth and secrecy. The poem explores the elusive nature of truth and the difficulty of capturing it in words. The poem is structured in a way that reflects this theme, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of tension and suspense.

Analysis of the poem

Stanza 1

It stole along so stealthy Suspicion it was done Was dim as to the wealthy Beginning not to own -

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone and introduces the central theme of the poem - stealth and secrecy. The opening line, "It stole along so stealthy," creates a sense of tension and suspense, as if something ominous is about to happen. The use of the word "stole" suggests that whatever is happening is happening without permission or knowledge. The second line, "Suspicion it was done," reinforces this sense of secrecy, suggesting that whatever is happening is being done in secret.

The third line, "Was dim as to the wealthy," introduces a new element to the poem - the idea of wealth and privilege. This line suggests that whatever is happening is not known or understood by the wealthy, implying that it is something that only a select few are aware of. The final line of the stanza, "Beginning not to own," further reinforces this idea of secrecy, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that cannot be easily possessed or controlled.

Stanza 2

It sighed and touched my forehead It made no sound at all I looked and it was gone - But murmur like a bee

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of secrecy and introduces a new element - the idea of physical sensation. The opening line, "It sighed and touched my forehead," is a powerful image that creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The use of the word "sighed" suggests that whatever is happening is something that is felt deeply, while the reference to physical touch creates a sense of physical presence.

The second line, "It made no sound at all," reinforces the idea of secrecy, suggesting that whatever is happening is happening silently. The third line, "I looked and it was gone -," creates a sense of loss and longing, as if whatever was happening was something that the speaker wanted to hold on to. The final line, "But murmur like a bee," introduces a new element to the poem - the idea of sound. This line suggests that whatever was happening has left some kind of impression, even if it is only a faint one.

Stanza 3

The witchcraft of the dew - The comings and the goings - The whispers and the sighings - Where all begin and end -

The third stanza of the poem introduces a new element - the idea of magic and mystery. The opening line, "The witchcraft of the dew -," creates a sense of enchantment, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that cannot be easily explained. The second line, "The comings and the goings -," reinforces the theme of secrecy, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that is constantly in motion.

The third line, "The whispers and the sighings -," reinforces the idea of sound, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that is communicated through whispers and murmurs. The final line, "Where all begin and end -," brings the stanza to a close, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that is both cyclical and eternal.

Stanza 4

An absolute mystery The magic cannot show - The witchcraft of the dew Is dawn's exulting foe.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of secrecy and mystery to a climax. The opening line, "An absolute mystery," suggests that whatever is happening is something that cannot be easily understood or explained. The second line, "The magic cannot show -," reinforces this idea, suggesting that even the most powerful magic cannot reveal the truth of what is happening.

The third line, "The witchcraft of the dew," brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of enchantment and mystery introduced in the third stanza. The final line, "Is dawn's exulting foe," creates a sense of conflict and opposition, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that is in opposition to the light of day and the clarity that it brings.

Interpretation of the poem

The poem "It stole along so stealthy" is a powerful meditation on the nature of truth and the difficulty of capturing it in words. The poem's central theme of secrecy and stealth suggests that whatever is happening is something that cannot be easily understood or explained. The use of physical sensation and sound creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, suggesting that whatever is happening is something that is deeply felt but not easily shared.

The use of magic and mystery throughout the poem reinforces the idea that the truth is not something that can be easily measured or quantified. The final line, "Is dawn's exulting foe," suggests that whatever is happening is something that is in opposition to the clarity and rationality of daylight.

Overall, "It stole along so stealthy" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the complex and elusive nature of truth. Its vivid imagery, unconventional style, and complex themes make it a masterpiece of American poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and thoughts that are often difficult to articulate through other forms of communication. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master of this art. Her poem "It stole along so stealthy" is a perfect example of her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful language.

The poem begins with the line "It stole along so stealthy," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "stole" suggests something sneaky or underhanded, while "stealthy" implies a sense of secrecy or hiddenness. This opening line creates a sense of intrigue and mystery, drawing the reader in and making them curious about what is to come.

As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the subject of the poem as "a thing that would not go." This line suggests that the subject is something that is persistent or unyielding, something that cannot be easily dismissed or ignored. This idea is reinforced in the next line, which describes the subject as "a thing that stayed." The repetition of the word "thing" emphasizes the idea that the subject is something tangible and real, rather than an abstract concept.

The next few lines of the poem describe the subject in more detail. Dickinson writes that it "hovered in the air" and "lingered in the shade." These lines create a sense of ethereality and otherworldliness, as if the subject is not quite of this world. The use of the word "lingered" also suggests a sense of reluctance or hesitation, as if the subject is not quite sure whether it wants to be seen or not.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes that the subject "beckoned, beckoned, till I could not see / And then it stole away." These lines create a sense of longing and desire, as if the subject is calling out to the speaker and drawing them in. The repetition of the word "beckoned" emphasizes this idea, while the final line creates a sense of loss or disappointment as the subject disappears from view.

So what is the subject of the poem? That is open to interpretation, as with many of Dickinson's works. Some readers might see it as a metaphor for the creative process, with the "thing that would not go" representing the muse or inspiration that lingers in the shadows until it is ready to reveal itself. Others might see it as a representation of a lost love or a missed opportunity, with the subject beckoning the speaker to come closer but ultimately slipping away.

Regardless of how one interprets the poem, there is no denying the power of Dickinson's language and imagery. The way she uses words to create a sense of mystery, longing, and loss is truly masterful. "It stole along so stealthy" is a perfect example of why Dickinson is considered one of the greatest poets of all time, and why her work continues to resonate with readers more than a century after her death.

In conclusion, "It stole along so stealthy" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's unique style. Through simple yet powerful language, she creates a sense of mystery, longing, and loss that is both timeless and universal. Whether one sees the subject of the poem as a metaphor for the creative process or a representation of a lost love, there is no denying the power of Dickinson's words to evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

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