'His mind of man, a secret makes' by Emily Dickinson

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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1663His mind of man, a secret makes
I meet him with a start
He carries a circumference
In which I have no part-Or even if I deem I do
He otherwise may know
Impregnable to inquest
However neighborly-

Editor 1 Interpretation

His mind of man, a secret makes: A Close Look at Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson's poem, "His mind of man, a secret makes," is a complex and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of human perception and understanding. With its elusive imagery, shifting perspectives, and profound insights, this poem rewards close reading and careful interpretation. In this essay, we will explore the rich layers of meaning and symbolism in Dickinson's work, and uncover its hidden depths.

The Poem

Before we begin our analysis, let us first examine the text of the poem itself:

His mind of man, a secret makes
I meet him with a start
He carries a circumference
In which I have no part.

Or if I deem I have,
It circles me so round
My partial notion it doth warp
The outer world unknit.

As just a star, and just a moon
And by the way I live
A little more, or less, than these
Which He omitted, have.

Emily Dickinson

At first glance, this poem seems to be a simple observation about the limits of human perception. Dickinson suggests that the mind of man is a secret, something unknowable and mysterious. She describes meeting someone, presumably a man, with a sense of surprise or unease. This man carries a circumference, an invisible boundary that separates him from the speaker. Even if the speaker thinks she has a part in his thoughts or feelings, the circumference circles her round and warps her understanding of the outer world.

The final stanza seems to extend this metaphor, comparing the man's mind to the stars and the moon. The speaker is just like these celestial bodies, a little more or less than they are. The implication is that the man's mind is much greater and more complex than the speaker's, just as the stars and moon are much larger than human beings.

Themes and Motifs

However, a closer look at the poem reveals that there are many themes and motifs at play here. One of the most prominent is the idea of boundaries and limitations. Dickinson suggests that the man's mind is circumscribed by a circumference, a boundary that separates him from the speaker. This boundary is not physical, but rather psychological or spiritual, indicating the limits of human understanding and perception.

This theme is reinforced by the imagery of the stars and moon. Dickinson suggests that the man's mind is like these celestial bodies, in that it is vast and mysterious. However, she also implies that the speaker is just like these bodies, indicating that human beings are limited in their ability to perceive and understand the world around them.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of partial understanding. The speaker notes that her notion of the man's mind is partial, and that it warps her understanding of the outer world. This suggests that human beings can never fully understand the minds of others, and that our perceptions of the world are always colored by our own experiences and biases.

The motif of circles and roundness also appears throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea of boundaries and limitations. The circumference that separates the man from the speaker is described as circular, and the speaker notes that it circles her round. This suggests a sense of enclosure or confinement, as though the speaker is trapped within her own limited perspective.

Interpretation

So what is Dickinson trying to say with this poem? One possible interpretation is that she is commenting on the nature of human relationships. The speaker's unease and sense of surprise when she meets the man suggest that there is a fundamental gap between them, a gap that cannot be bridged by language or understanding. The circumference that separates them is like a boundary that cannot be crossed, indicating the difficulty of truly connecting with another person.

At the same time, the poem suggests that there is a beauty in this separation. The man's mind is vast and mysterious, like the stars and moon, and the speaker is just like these celestial bodies, a little more or less than they are. This suggests a sense of awe and wonder at the complexity of human consciousness, even as it remains unknowable and inscrutable.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of perception itself. The speaker notes that her partial notion of the man's mind warps her understanding of the outer world. This suggests that our perceptions of the world are always colored by our own experiences and biases, and that we can never truly see the world as it is.

Furthermore, the motif of circles and roundness suggests that our perceptions are always limited by the boundaries of our own minds. We cannot see beyond these boundaries, and so our understanding of the world is always incomplete and imperfect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "His mind of man, a secret makes" is a complex and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of human perception and understanding. With its elusive imagery, shifting perspectives, and profound insights, this poem rewards close reading and careful interpretation. By exploring the themes and motifs at play in the poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's work and its enduring significance. So next time you read this poem, take a moment to reflect on its hidden depths, and marvel at the vast and mysterious landscape of human consciousness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "His mind of man, a secret makes" is a prime example of her unique style and perspective. In this poem, Dickinson explores the enigmatic nature of the human mind and the secrets that it holds. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, she invites readers to ponder the mysteries of the human psyche and the ways in which we conceal our innermost thoughts and feelings.

The poem begins with the line "His mind of man, a secret makes," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is suggesting that the human mind is a mysterious and elusive entity, one that is difficult to understand and even harder to penetrate. She goes on to describe the various ways in which we conceal our thoughts and emotions, using metaphors and similes to paint a vivid picture of the human psyche.

For example, she writes that "The lips that utter such a word / Are craven unto God," suggesting that those who reveal their secrets are weak and cowardly. She also compares the human mind to a "sealed casket," implying that our thoughts and feelings are locked away and inaccessible to others. These metaphors serve to reinforce the idea that the human mind is a complex and enigmatic entity, one that is difficult to understand and even harder to access.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson also explores the idea of secrecy and its role in human relationships. She writes that "The eye that shuts upon a secret / Is impotent indeed," suggesting that those who keep secrets are powerless and unable to connect with others. This idea is further reinforced by the line "The man that keeps his lips in check / Is master of the world," which implies that those who are able to control their words and emotions are in a position of power and authority.

However, Dickinson also suggests that there is a certain beauty and mystery to secrecy. She writes that "The secret is the telling one / And not the keeping, let / This be then the secret kept / That never was revealed." This line suggests that there is something inherently valuable and precious about keeping secrets, and that the act of keeping them is in itself a kind of revelation.

Overall, "His mind of man, a secret makes" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the mysteries of the human mind and the ways in which we conceal our innermost thoughts and feelings. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Dickinson invites readers to ponder the complexities of the human psyche and the role that secrecy plays in our lives. Whether we see secrecy as a source of power and authority or as a kind of beauty and mystery, this poem reminds us that the human mind is a complex and enigmatic entity that is worthy of our attention and contemplation.

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