'This Consciousness that is aware' by Emily Dickinson
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This Consciousness that is aware
Of Neighbors and the Sun
Will be the one aware of Death
And that itself aloneIs traversing the interval
Experience between
And most profound experiment
Appointed unto Men-How adequate unto itself
Its properties shall be
Itself unto itself and none
Shall make discovery.Adventure most unto itself
The Soul condemned to be-
Attended by a single Hound
Its own identity.
Editor 1 Interpretation
This Consciousness that is aware: A Critical Analysis
Emily Dickinson's poem, "This Consciousness that is aware," is a complex and thought-provoking piece that challenges the reader to consider the nature of consciousness and awareness. Written in Dickinson's signature style, the poem is dense with imagery, metaphor, and wordplay. In this essay, I will explore the themes and meanings of the poem, its use of language and imagery, and its relevance to Dickinson's broader body of work.
Overview
At its core, "This Consciousness that is aware" is an exploration of the relationship between the self and the world. The poem begins with a declaration that consciousness is aware of itself, and that this awareness is the very thing that defines it. Dickinson writes:
This Consciousness that is aware
Of Neighbors and the Sun
Will be the One aware of Death
And that itself alone
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the world around it. Dickinson suggests that consciousness is defined by its ability to perceive the world and interact with it, and that this relationship is integral to our understanding of what it means to be alive.
Themes
One of the central themes of "This Consciousness that is aware" is the idea of the self as a distinct and separate entity. Dickinson seems to suggest that our consciousness is what separates us from the rest of the world, and that it is this consciousness that gives us our sense of identity. She writes:
The Self's awareness of itself
Is a distinction we perceive
And when the Soul abroad awakes
The Eyes annexed to see
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that our consciousness is what allows us to perceive ourselves as distinct from the world around us. It is our ability to be aware of ourselves that gives us our sense of individuality, and it is this individuality that defines us as human beings.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of mortality. Dickinson suggests that our awareness of death is integral to our understanding of consciousness. She writes:
Will be the One aware of Death
And that itself alone
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that our awareness of death is what gives our lives meaning. It is our knowledge that we will one day die that allows us to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life.
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking things about "This Consciousness that is aware" is its use of language and imagery. Dickinson's poetry is famous for its dense and complex language, and this poem is no exception. She uses metaphor and wordplay to explore the themes of the poem, and her language is full of unexpected twists and turns.
For example, in the second stanza, Dickinson writes:
The Soul has moments of Escape—
When bursting all the doors—
She dances like a Bomb, abroad,
And swings upon the Hours,
Here, Dickinson is using the image of a bomb to describe the soul's moments of escape. The bomb is a powerful, explosive force, and Dickinson is suggesting that the soul's moments of escape are equally powerful and explosive.
Another striking image in the poem is the line: "The Brain—is wider than the Sky—" This line is an example of Dickinson's use of paradox and wordplay to explore complex ideas. The brain, of course, is a physical organ that is contained within the body, while the sky is vast and seemingly infinite. By suggesting that the brain is wider than the sky, Dickinson is playing with our perceptions of space and scale, and suggesting that the mind is capable of feats that surpass even the physical world around us.
Relevance to Dickinson's Work
"This Consciousness that is aware" is a particularly interesting poem when considered in the context of Dickinson's broader body of work. Dickinson was famously reclusive, and much of her poetry deals with themes of isolation, introspection, and mortality. In many ways, this poem can be seen as a distillation of these themes.
Throughout her work, Dickinson seems to be grappling with the question of what it means to be alive. Her poetry is full of images of death and decay, but it is also full of a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of the world. In "This Consciousness that is aware," she explores the connection between our awareness of mortality and our ability to appreciate the world around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "This Consciousness that is aware" is a dense and thought-provoking poem that challenges the reader to consider the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the world. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is striking, and her exploration of themes of selfhood and mortality is both poignant and relevant. Ultimately, this poem can be seen as a distillation of many of the themes and concerns that define Dickinson's broader body of work, and it is a testament to her unique voice and perspective as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, has left us with a treasure trove of poems that explore the complexities of human consciousness. One such poem is "This Consciousness that is aware," which delves into the nature of self-awareness and the human psyche.
The poem begins with the line, "This Consciousness that is aware," which immediately draws the reader's attention to the concept of consciousness. Dickinson seems to be exploring the idea that consciousness is not just a passive state of being, but an active force that is constantly aware of itself and its surroundings. The use of the word "aware" emphasizes this point, as it suggests a heightened level of consciousness that is not just present, but actively engaged.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson delves deeper into the nature of this consciousness, describing it as "the one that knows." Here, she seems to be suggesting that consciousness is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible force that is capable of knowing and understanding the world around us. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "one," which suggests a sense of individuality and agency.
The next line of the poem, "Divine Majority," is perhaps one of the most intriguing. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that this consciousness is not just a human phenomenon, but a divine one. The use of the word "majority" suggests that this consciousness is not just present in a few select individuals, but is a universal force that is present in all of us. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "divine," which suggests a sense of transcendence and spirituality.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson continues to explore the nature of this consciousness, describing it as "the one that stayed." Here, she seems to be suggesting that consciousness is not just a fleeting state of being, but a constant force that remains with us throughout our lives. The use of the word "stayed" emphasizes this point, as it suggests a sense of permanence and endurance.
The final line of the poem, "Surgeons must be very careful," is perhaps one of the most enigmatic. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that this consciousness is not just a passive force, but an active one that is capable of shaping and transforming our lives. The use of the word "surgeons" suggests a sense of precision and skill, as if Dickinson is warning us to be careful with this powerful force that is within us all.
Overall, "This Consciousness that is aware" is a powerful exploration of the nature of human consciousness. Dickinson's use of language is both precise and evocative, drawing the reader into a world of heightened awareness and self-reflection. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the genre, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on your mind and soul.
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