'"Heavenly Father"-take to thee' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

"Heavenly Father"-take to thee
The supreme iniquity
Fashioned by thy candid Hand
In a moment contraband-
Though to trust us-seems to us
More respectful-"We are Dust"-
We apologize to thee
For thine own Duplicity-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee" by Emily Dickinson

Oh, what a beautiful poem! Emily Dickinson has once again captured the essence of human emotion in "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee." With her unique style and use of language, she transports us to a world where death is not the end but only a transition.

Background Information

First, let's take a moment to understand the context in which this poem was written. Emily Dickinson was known for her isolation, and much of her work was influenced by her experiences with death and grief. "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee" is believed to have been written in 1864, around the time of her father's death.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This gives the poem a simple, almost lullaby-like quality, which is fitting considering the subject matter.

The title, "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee," sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is addressing God, asking Him to take the soul of the departed to heaven. The use of the word "thee" adds a sense of reverence and humility to the poem.

In the first stanza, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death. "Death sets a thing significant" is a powerful statement that reminds us that death is a part of life and that it gives meaning to our existence. The use of the word "significant" suggests that death is not something to be feared but rather something to be embraced.

The second stanza is where the poem really shines. The speaker describes the moment of death as a "pulse in the eternal mind" and a "moment's ornament." These lines are so beautiful that they almost bring tears to my eyes. The idea that death is just a brief pause in the eternal scheme of things is both comforting and awe-inspiring.

The final stanza is a prayer to God to take the soul of the departed to heaven. The use of the word "thee" is repeated, emphasizing the speaker's faith and trust in God. The final line, "Until the timid eye" suggests that death is something that even the bravest of us fear, but with God's help, we can face it with courage.

Interpretation of the Poem

At its core, "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee" is a poem about acceptance and faith. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death but does not fear it. Instead, she trusts in God to guide the soul of the departed to its final resting place.

The idea that death is just a momentary pause in the eternal scheme of things is a comforting one. It reminds us that our time on earth is fleeting but that there is something greater beyond this life.

The poem also speaks to the power of faith. The speaker's trust in God gives her the strength to face death with courage. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee" is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal human experience of death and grief. Through her unique style and use of language, Emily Dickinson captures the essence of faith and acceptance in the face of death. This poem is a testament to her talent as a poet and her ability to capture the human experience in a way that is both timeless and universal.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Heavenly Father - Take to Thee: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Her poem "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee" is a classic example of her unique style and powerful use of language. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Heavenly Father - take to thee," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is addressing God directly, and the use of the word "heavenly" emphasizes the divine nature of the addressee. The phrase "take to thee" suggests a sense of surrender or submission, as if the speaker is offering something up to God.

The second line, "The supreme iniquity," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "iniquity" typically refers to sin or wrongdoing, so it seems odd to describe something as the "supreme iniquity." However, Dickinson often played with language in this way, using unexpected words and phrases to create a sense of ambiguity and mystery. In this case, it's possible that the speaker is referring to some kind of sin or wrongdoing that is so great that it can only be described as the "supreme iniquity."

The third line, "Forgive my smaller sins," is a more straightforward request for forgiveness. The speaker acknowledges that they have committed smaller sins and asks for God's mercy and forgiveness. This line also sets up a contrast between the "supreme iniquity" mentioned in the previous line and the speaker's own smaller sins.

The fourth line, "So infinite it seems," is another example of Dickinson's use of language to create a sense of mystery and ambiguity. The word "infinite" suggests something that is boundless or limitless, but it's not clear what exactly the speaker is referring to. It could be the "supreme iniquity" mentioned earlier, or it could be something else entirely.

The fifth line, "My second childishness," is a reference to Shakespeare's famous "Seven Ages of Man" speech from As You Like It. In that speech, Shakespeare describes the seven stages of a man's life, with the final stage being "second childishness and mere oblivion." Dickinson's use of this phrase suggests that the speaker is at the end of their life and approaching death. The use of the word "childishness" also suggests a sense of innocence or vulnerability.

The sixth and final line, "And mere oblivion," reinforces the idea that the speaker is approaching death. The phrase "mere oblivion" suggests a sense of nothingness or non-existence, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

Overall, "Heavenly Father - Take to Thee" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of sin, forgiveness, and mortality. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity that invites readers to interpret the poem in their own way. Whether you see the poem as a prayer for forgiveness or a meditation on the inevitability of death, there is no denying the power and beauty of Dickinson's words.

Editor Recommended Sites

Fantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy games
Learn Typescript: Learn typescript programming language, course by an ex google engineer
Blockchain Job Board - Block Chain Custody and Security Jobs & Crypto Smart Contract Jobs: The latest Blockchain job postings
Event Trigger: Everything related to lambda cloud functions, trigger cloud event handlers, cloud event callbacks, database cdc streaming, cloud event rules engines
Startup Gallery: The latest industry disrupting startups in their field

Recommended Similar Analysis

Song (She Sat And Sang Alway) by Christina Rossetti analysis
The Grave by the Handpost by Thomas Hardy analysis
First Death In Nova Scotia by Elizabeth Bishop analysis
"Fuzzy -Wuzzy" by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning analysis
Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning by Lawrence Ferlinghetti analysis
Come In by Robert Frost analysis
The Thousand-And-Second Tale Of Scheherazade by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
How They Brought The Good News From Ghent To Aix by Robert Browning analysis
Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved by John Donne analysis