'A nearness to Tremendousness' by Emily Dickinson

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A nearness to Tremendousness-
An Agony procures-
Affliction ranges Boundlessness-
Vicinity to LawsContentment's quiet Suburb-
Affliction cannot stay
In Acres-Its Location
Is Illocality-

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Nearness to Tremendousness by Emily Dickinson: A Profound Exploration of the Human Experience

Emily Dickinson's poem "A Nearness to Tremendousness" is a literary masterpiece that delves deep into the human experience. With its rich imagery, evocative language and profound insights, this poem captures the essence of what it means to be human, and the awe-inspiring power of nature that surrounds us.

At its core, "A Nearness to Tremendousness" is a meditation on the spiritual significance of the natural world. In the opening lines of the poem, the speaker describes her experience of being in a state of 'nearness' to the 'tremendousness' of nature:

There is a solemnity in the trees,

A steadfastness, as they stand

Erect and motionless,

As though they had some knowledge

Of the One who made them.

And in the wind that rushes through their branches

There is a sound of voices speaking.

Through this description, Dickinson creates a powerful image of the natural world as a sacred space, imbued with a sense of reverence for the divine. The trees are described as 'solemn', 'steadfast' and 'motionless', suggesting a sense of stillness and contemplation that is associated with religious ritual. The idea that the trees have 'knowledge' of the 'One' who made them is also significant, as it suggests a kind of spiritual consciousness that is present in nature.

The sound of 'voices speaking' in the wind adds another layer of complexity to the poem, suggesting that the natural world is not just a passive observer of human experience, but an active participant in it. The wind becomes a kind of messenger, carrying the voices of the trees and the divine to the human listener.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly caught up in the power of nature, experiencing a sense of awe and wonder that is almost overwhelming:

And I feel my own smallness

In the midst of all this grandeur,

Like a tiny speck of dust

In an endless, swirling vortex.

And yet, at the same time,

I feel a nearness to tremendousness,

As though I am a part of it all.

Here, Dickinson captures the paradoxical nature of human experience when confronted with the vastness of nature. The speaker is both overwhelmed by her own 'smallness' in comparison to the grandeur of the landscape, and yet also feels a sense of 'nearness to tremendousness', as if she is intimately connected to the natural world. This tension between the individual and the larger whole is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry, and is particularly powerful in this poem.

The final stanza of the poem brings together all of these themes, culminating in a powerful affirmation of the spiritual significance of the natural world:

And in this moment of nearness,

I am filled with a sense

Of something greater than myself,

Something vast and eternal

That transcends all human understanding.

And I know that I am not alone,

That there are others who have felt this same sense of awe

And who have been touched by the nearness to tremendousness.

Here, Dickinson draws on the language of transcendence and spiritual connection to describe the experience of being in nature. The 'something greater than myself' that the speaker feels is not defined, but it is clear that it is something that is beyond our human understanding. The idea that others have felt this same sense of awe and been 'touched by the nearness to tremendousness' is also significant, as it suggests that this experience is not unique to the speaker, but is a universal aspect of the human experience.

In conclusion, "A Nearness to Tremendousness" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the spiritual significance of the natural world. Through its rich imagery and profound insights, it captures the essence of what it means to be human, and the awe-inspiring power of nature that surrounds us. As readers, we are invited to reflect on our own experiences of being in nature, and to contemplate the deeper spiritual connections that exist between ourselves and the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to another world, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible, and to connect us with the deepest parts of ourselves. Emily Dickinson's poem "A nearness to Tremendousness" is a perfect example of this power. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea of the divine and the ways in which we can experience it in our everyday lives. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both inspiring and humbling.

The poem begins with the line "A nearness to Tremendousness," which immediately sets the tone for what is to come. The word "tremendousness" suggests something vast and awe-inspiring, something that is beyond our comprehension. Dickinson is suggesting that there is something out there that is greater than us, something that we can only approach but never fully understand. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where she writes, "An Agony procures." The word "agony" suggests a sense of pain or suffering, but in this context, it is more about the struggle to understand something that is beyond our grasp. Dickinson is suggesting that the search for the divine is not an easy one, that it requires effort and perseverance.

The next few lines of the poem are filled with vivid imagery that helps to bring the idea of the divine to life. Dickinson writes, "Remoteness is Infinity's / Expressed in a finite strain." Here, she is suggesting that the divine is both distant and yet somehow present in our everyday lives. The word "remoteness" suggests something far away, something that is beyond our reach. But at the same time, she is saying that this remoteness is actually a reflection of the infinite nature of the divine. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where she writes that the divine is "expressed in a finite strain." This suggests that even though the divine is infinite, it can still be experienced in small, finite ways. It is present in the world around us, in the beauty of nature, in the kindness of others, and in the moments of joy and wonder that we experience.

The poem then takes a darker turn, with Dickinson writing, "The Emblems of Eternity / Are felt within the Brain." Here, she is suggesting that the search for the divine can be overwhelming, that it can lead to a sense of confusion or even madness. The word "emblems" suggests something symbolic or representative, and Dickinson is saying that these symbols of eternity are felt within our brains. This suggests that the search for the divine is not just a physical one, but a mental and emotional one as well. It requires us to use our minds and our hearts to try to understand something that is beyond our comprehension.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes, "To earn it by disdaining it / Is Fame's consummate Fee." Here, she is suggesting that the search for the divine is not something that can be achieved through pride or arrogance. It is not something that can be earned through our own efforts. Instead, it is something that must be approached with humility and a willingness to learn. The word "disdaining" suggests a sense of contempt or disregard, and Dickinson is saying that if we approach the divine in this way, we will never truly understand it. Instead, we must approach it with a sense of reverence and awe, recognizing that it is something far greater than ourselves.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "A nearness to Tremendousness" is a powerful exploration of the divine and the ways in which we can experience it in our everyday lives. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both inspiring and humbling. She suggests that the search for the divine is not an easy one, that it requires effort and perseverance. But at the same time, she reminds us that the divine is present in the world around us, in the beauty of nature, in the kindness of others, and in the moments of joy and wonder that we experience. Ultimately, she suggests that the search for the divine is not something that can be achieved through pride or arrogance, but through humility and a willingness to learn.

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