'I learned-at least-what Home could be' by Emily Dickinson


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I learned-at least-what Home could be-
How ignorant I had been
Of pretty ways of Covenant-
How awkward at the HymnRound our new Fireside-but for this-
This pattern-of the Way-
Whose Memory drowns me, like the Dip
Of a Celestial Sea-What Mornings in our Garden-guessed-
What Bees-for us-to hum-
With only Birds to interrupt
The Ripple of our Theme-And Task for Both-
When Play be done-
Your Problem-of the Brain-
And mine-some foolisher effect-
A Ruffle-or a Tune-The Afternoons-Together spent-
And Twilight-in the Lanes-
Some ministry to poorer lives-
Seen poorest-thro' our gains-And then Return-and Night-and Home-And then away to You to pass-
A new-diviner-care-
Till Sunrise take us back to Scene-
Transmuted-Vivider-This seems a Home-
And Home is not-
But what that Place could be-
Afflicts me-as a Setting Sun-
Where Dawn-knows how to be-

Editor 1 Interpretation

I learned-at least-what Home could be by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem

Are you looking for a poem that will take you on a journey? Then look no further than "I learned-at least-what Home could be" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a masterpiece of depth and complexity, and has been the subject of countless literary analyses. In this essay, we will take a deep dive into the poem, exploring its various themes, symbols, and interpretations.

The Poem

Before we begin our analysis, let's take a look at the poem itself:

I learned—at least—what Home could be—

How ignorant I had been

Of pretty ways of Covenant—

How awkward at the Hymn—

As far as Sacrament had stretched—

I tasted—"Holly's" Wine—

Unknown, to me, the Sundown,—

But recognized the Dawn—

And let the Basket carry me

Around my Farm until

We almost looked like Orchards—

When Apples—fell—around—

And fell—Surrendering—to the Tree—

Does not the Honeysuckle—tangle—

The Bee—

Still—till they—smooth—

Their Velvet—heads—

At least—'twere to me—

At first glance, the poem might seem simple enough. It tells the story of the speaker's discovery of what home truly means. But as we will soon see, there is much more going on beneath the surface.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea of home. The speaker begins by stating that she has "learned—at least—what Home could be." This suggests that she has had some sort of revelation, some newfound understanding of what home truly means. But what is home, exactly? The poem doesn't offer a clear definition, but instead presents home as a complex and multifaceted concept.

One way in which the poem explores the idea of home is through the use of religious symbolism. The speaker mentions "pretty ways of Covenant" and "the Hymn," which suggest a connection to Christianity. She also speaks of the "Sacrament" and "Holly's Wine," which are both associated with Christian rituals. These images suggest that home is not just a physical place, but is also imbued with spiritual and religious significance.

Another way in which the poem explores the idea of home is through its references to nature. The speaker mentions the "Sundown" and the "Dawn," which are both natural phenomena. She also speaks of the "Basket" that carries her "Around my Farm," and the "Orchards" that she and the basket "almost looked like." These images suggest that home is not just a man-made structure, but is also intimately connected to the natural world.

Finally, the poem suggests that home is a place of surrender and acceptance. The speaker speaks of the apples that "fell—Surrendering—to the Tree," and the honeysuckle that "tangle—/The Bee." These images suggest that home is a place where one can let go of control and allow oneself to be carried along by the natural rhythms of life.

Interpretations

The beauty of "I learned-at least-what Home could be" is that it is open to a wide range of interpretations. Here are just a few possible readings of the poem:

1. The poem is about the speaker's spiritual awakening.

As we noted earlier, the poem contains many references to Christianity and religious symbolism. This suggests that the speaker's discovery of what home means is intimately tied to her spiritual journey. The mention of the "Sacrament" and "Holly's Wine" suggests that the speaker has participated in some sort of religious ritual or ceremony, which has helped her to understand the true meaning of home.

2. The poem is about the speaker's connection to nature.

The references to the "Sundown" and "Dawn," the "Basket" that carries the speaker around the farm, and the "Orchards" all suggest a deep connection to nature. This reading of the poem suggests that home is not just a physical place, but is also a state of being in harmony with the natural world.

3. The poem is about the speaker's acceptance of life's rhythms.

The images of the apples surrendering to the tree and the honeysuckle tangling with the bee suggest that home is a place where one can let go of control and surrender to the natural rhythms of life. This reading of the poem suggests that home is not just a physical place, but is also a state of mind that allows one to find peace and acceptance in the face of life's uncertainties.

Conclusion

"I learned-at least-what Home could be" is a poem that rewards close reading and careful analysis. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet that the poem can be interpreted in so many different ways, and that each interpretation offers a rich and nuanced understanding of what home means. Whether you see the poem as a spiritual journey, a celebration of nature, or a meditation on surrender and acceptance, one thing is clear: "I learned-at least-what Home could be" is a poem that speaks deeply to the human experience of longing for a place to call home.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and convey messages in a unique and powerful way. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, was a master of this art form. Her poem "I learned-at least-what Home could be" is a perfect example of her ability to capture the essence of human experience in just a few lines.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that they have learned what home could be, but not what it is. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of home and what it means to different people.

The second line of the poem, "Of whom I crost with every day," suggests that the speaker is someone who is constantly on the move, crossing paths with different people every day. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human experience, where we are all constantly moving through life, encountering new people and situations.

The third line of the poem, "Of whom I never thought to ask," suggests that the speaker has never taken the time to ask these people what home means to them. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the human tendency to take things for granted, to assume that we know what others are thinking or feeling without actually asking them.

The fourth line of the poem, "For whom I could not have defined," suggests that the speaker does not have a clear understanding of what home means to these people. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the complexity of human experience, and the fact that what home means to one person may be completely different from what it means to another.

The fifth line of the poem, "‘Till they have crumbled, passed with me," suggests that the speaker has been on a journey, and that the people they have encountered along the way have come and gone. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the transience of human experience, and the fact that nothing lasts forever.

The sixth line of the poem, "And left me, I with them, behind," suggests that the speaker has been left behind by the people they have encountered along the way. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the fact that we are all ultimately alone in our own experiences, even when we are surrounded by others.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "A gleaner of the fields of time," suggest that the speaker is someone who is constantly searching for meaning in the world around them. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the human desire for understanding and knowledge, and the fact that we are always seeking to make sense of our experiences.

The ninth and final line of the poem, "The woods, the river, and the sun," suggest that the speaker finds solace and comfort in nature. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the fact that, no matter how complex and confusing human experience may be, there is always something simple and beautiful to be found in the natural world.

Overall, "I learned-at least-what Home could be" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of human experience in just a few lines. Emily Dickinson was a master of the art of poetry, and this poem is a testament to her skill and talent. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, this poem is sure to resonate with you on a deep and meaningful level.

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