'I am afraid to own a Body-' by Emily Dickinson

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I am afraid to own a Body-
I am afraid to own a Soul-
Profound-precarious Property-
Possession, not optional-Double Estate-entailed at pleasure
Upon an unsuspecting Heir-
Duke in a moment of Deathlessness
And God, for a Frontier.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I am afraid to own a Body by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem

Oh, Emily Dickinson, the poet who never got published during her lifetime yet left an indelible mark on the world of poetry. One of her most intriguing works is "I am afraid to own a Body," which is an excellent example of her unique perspective on life and death.

Poem Analysis

The poem is a short one, consisting of just two stanzas, each with four lines. It has a simple structure but is incredibly complex in its message. The first stanza reads:

I am afraid to own a Body –
I am afraid to own a Soul –
Profound– precarious Property –
Possession, not optional –

The poet starts by expressing her fear of owning a body and a soul. She could be afraid of the limitations that come with having a physical form or the responsibilities that come with having a soul. It is interesting to note that she considers these properties profound and precarious, suggesting that she sees them as powerful but vulnerable.

The last line of the stanza is particularly striking - "Possession, not optional." It implies that we have no choice but to possess these properties, even if we are afraid of them. This line also suggests that owning a body and a soul is not a privilege but a burden.

The second stanza continues with the same theme:

Consolidated by the Sun –
Lease – eminent Domain –
Augmented – by the Vital Wagon –
Not a Syllogism can –

This stanza is more cryptic than the first, but its meaning becomes clear with closer analysis. The first line refers to the physical body's consolidation by the sun, suggesting that our existence is intimately connected to the environment around us. The second line - "Lease - eminent Domain" - could be seen as a commentary on our temporary ownership of our bodies. We are only leasing them, and eventually, they will belong to the earth.

The third line - "Augmented - by the Vital Wagon" - is even more mysterious. It could refer to the idea that our bodies are merely vehicles for our souls, which are the essence of who we are. The final line - "Not a Syllogism can" - is possibly the most difficult to interpret. A syllogism is a logical argument where a conclusion is drawn from two propositions. In the context of the poem, it suggests that there is no logical way to explain the relationship between our bodies and souls.

Interpretation

So, what does this poem mean? What was Emily Dickinson trying to say?

One interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human condition. We are all afraid of owning a body and soul because we are aware of the fragility of our existence. We know that we will all eventually die and that our bodies will return to the earth. We are afraid of being vulnerable, of being at the mercy of time and circumstance.

However, the poem also suggests that owning a body and soul is not optional. We have no choice but to exist in this world, in this form. We are all connected to the environment around us and to each other. Our bodies may be temporary, but our souls are eternal.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection of Emily Dickinson's own fears and anxieties. She was known to be a recluse, rarely leaving her home or interacting with others. Her poetry often explored themes of death, nature, and spirituality. "I am afraid to own a Body" could be seen as an expression of her fear of being vulnerable, of being exposed to the outside world.

The poem could also be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of language. Emily Dickinson was known for her unconventional use of grammar and syntax, often breaking the rules of traditional poetry. The final line of the poem - "Not a Syllogism can" - could be seen as a reflection of her frustration with language's inability to fully capture the complexity of the human experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "I am afraid to own a Body" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of the human condition. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and thought-provoking piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem's message is both profound and simple - we are all afraid of being vulnerable and exposed, but we have no choice but to exist in this world. Our bodies may be temporary, but our souls are eternal. And, in the end, no matter how hard we try, language may never fully capture the essence of what it means to be human.

Emily Dickinson may have been afraid to own a body, but she certainly wasn't afraid to explore the depths of the human experience through her poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "I am afraid to own a Body" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the complex relationship between the body and the soul, and the fear that comes with owning a physical form.

The poem begins with the line "I am afraid to own a Body," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is not afraid of the body itself, but rather what it represents: mortality, vulnerability, and the limitations of the physical world. She goes on to describe the body as a "little wilderness," a place where the soul is trapped and unable to fully express itself.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey her message. She describes the body as a "prison," a "cage," and a "tomb," all of which suggest a sense of confinement and restriction. The soul, on the other hand, is portrayed as a bird, a "winged creature" that longs to be free from its earthly confines.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way Dickinson uses language to create a sense of tension and unease. The repeated use of the word "afraid" emphasizes the speaker's fear and uncertainty, while the use of words like "wilderness" and "tomb" create a sense of foreboding and danger. Even the final line, which seems to offer a glimmer of hope, is tinged with ambiguity: "And then afraid of me."

So what is Dickinson trying to say with this poem? At its core, "I am afraid to own a Body" is a meditation on the human condition, and the struggle to reconcile our physical and spiritual selves. Dickinson suggests that the body is a necessary but imperfect vessel for the soul, and that the tension between the two is a source of both fear and wonder.

At the same time, Dickinson's poem can be read as a commentary on the social and cultural norms of her time. In the 19th century, women were often expected to be meek and submissive, and their bodies were seen as objects to be controlled and contained. By expressing her fear of owning a body, Dickinson may be pushing back against these restrictive gender roles and asserting her own autonomy and agency.

Overall, "I am afraid to own a Body" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and language, Dickinson captures the complex and often contradictory nature of the human experience, and reminds us of the enduring power of poetry to explore the deepest aspects of our selves and our world.

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