'The Child's faith is new' by Emily Dickinson

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The Child's faith is new-
Whole-like His Principle-
Wide-like the Sunrise
On fresh Eyes-
Never had a Doubt-
Laughs-at a Scruple-
Believes all sham
But Paradise-Credits the World-
Deems His Dominion
Broadest of Sovereignties-
And Caesar-mean-
In the Comparison-
Baseless Emperor-
Ruler of Nought-
Yet swaying all-Grown bye and bye
To hold mistaken
His pretty estimates
Of Prickly Things
He gains the skill
Sorrowful-as certain-
Men-to anticipate
Instead of Kings-

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Child's Faith is New: An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poetry

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, has left behind a legacy of literary works that continue to captivate readers even today. Her poems are known for their unconventional syntax, vivid imagery, and profound insights into the human condition. One such poem that stands out is "The Child's Faith is New," a short but powerful piece that explores the nature of faith and its relationship to innocence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into this poem and analyze its themes, language, and imagery, in order to offer a comprehensive understanding of its meaning and significance.

Background Information

Before we begin, a little background information on the poet herself is necessary. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1830. She lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely venturing outside her family's home. Despite her reclusive nature, however, she wrote over 1,800 poems, many of which were published posthumously. Her poetry is known for its unconventional style, which often features broken syntax, abrupt shifts in tone, and startling imagery. Despite the challenges of her personal life, Dickinson's poetry has endured, and she is now widely regarded as one of the greatest American poets of all time.

Analysis

"The Child's Faith is New" is a short poem, consisting of only four lines:

The Child's faith is new - Whole - like his Principle - Wide - like the Sunrise On fresh eyes -

Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and significance. At its core, the poem is about the power of faith to transform and renew us, particularly in the context of childhood. Let's break down the lines and explore the imagery and language that Dickinson employs to convey her message.

Line 1: "The Child's faith is new -"

The first line of the poem sets the stage for what is to come. "The Child's faith is new" is a statement that is both simple and profound. On the surface, it suggests that children are full of wonder and innocence, unencumbered by the doubts and fears that come with age. But there is also a deeper meaning here. The word "new" implies that faith is something that can be renewed or refreshed, that it is not a static or unchanging thing, but rather something that can grow and evolve over time.

Line 2: "Whole - like his Principle -"

The second line of the poem builds on the idea of faith as something pure and uncorrupted. The word "whole" suggests that faith is complete and unfragmented, that it is not subject to the doubts and uncertainties that plague us as we grow older. The phrase "like his Principle" is a reference to the Christian concept of the Trinity, which holds that there are three distinct but inseparable aspects of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. By invoking this imagery, Dickinson is suggesting that faith is not just a feeling or a belief, but a fundamental aspect of our being, something that is integral to our very identity.

Line 3: "Wide - like the Sunrise"

The third line of the poem is perhaps the most striking of all. By comparing faith to the sunrise, Dickinson is suggesting that faith is something that is both beautiful and powerful, something that has the ability to illuminate and transform the world around us. The word "wide" implies that faith is all-encompassing, that it has the power to reach out and touch every aspect of our lives. The sunrise, of course, is a symbol of hope and renewal, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new beginning.

Line 4: "On fresh eyes -"

The final line of the poem is a reference to the innocence of childhood. The phrase "fresh eyes" suggests that children see the world in a way that is unclouded by cynicism or skepticism, that they are able to approach life with a sense of wonder and curiosity. By juxtaposing this image with the image of the sunrise, Dickinson is suggesting that faith has the power to restore our sense of wonder and awe, to help us see the world in a new and transformative way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Child's Faith is New" is a powerful meditation on the nature of faith and its relationship to innocence. Through her use of vivid imagery and unconventional language, Emily Dickinson evokes a sense of wonder and awe, reminding us of the transformative power of faith. Whether we are young or old, whether we are religious or not, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of hope and renewal, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new dawn.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Child's Faith is New: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "The Child's Faith is New," which explores the innocence and purity of a child's faith. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "The child's faith is new." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, emphasizing the purity and freshness of a child's faith. The use of the word "new" suggests that the child's faith is untainted by the cynicism and skepticism that often come with age. The child's faith is pure and unadulterated, unburdened by the complexities of the adult world.

The second line of the poem reads, "Like a dewdrop, it shall fall." This line uses a simile to compare the child's faith to a dewdrop. The use of a simile is a literary device that helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. The image of a dewdrop falling is delicate and fleeting, suggesting that the child's faith is fragile and easily lost.

The third line of the poem reads, "At the dawning of the day." This line suggests that the child's faith is something that is born anew each day. The use of the word "dawning" creates an image of a new beginning, emphasizing the idea that the child's faith is constantly being renewed.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "See the little pearl of dew." This line continues the use of the dewdrop metaphor, emphasizing the beauty and purity of the child's faith. The use of the word "pearl" suggests that the child's faith is something precious and valuable, something to be cherished and protected.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "On the leaflet's tip impearled." This line creates a vivid image of a dewdrop resting on the tip of a leaf. The use of the word "impearled" suggests that the dewdrop is like a pearl, emphasizing its beauty and value. The image of the dewdrop on the leaflet's tip suggests that the child's faith is something delicate and easily lost, something that must be protected and nurtured.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "When the sun comes out of the east." This line suggests that the child's faith is something that is vulnerable to the harsh realities of the world. The use of the word "sun" creates an image of something bright and powerful, emphasizing the idea that the child's faith is fragile and easily destroyed.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "At the dawning of the day." This line repeats the phrase from the third line of the poem, emphasizing the idea that the child's faith is constantly being renewed.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "When the stars are shining bright." This line creates a contrast between the harsh reality of the sun and the beauty and wonder of the stars. The use of the word "bright" suggests that the stars are something beautiful and powerful, emphasizing the idea that the child's faith is something that can withstand the harsh realities of the world.

Overall, "The Child's Faith is New" is a beautiful and profound poem that explores the innocence and purity of a child's faith. The use of metaphors and similes helps to create vivid images in the reader's mind, emphasizing the fragility and beauty of the child's faith. The repetition of the phrase "at the dawning of the day" emphasizes the idea that the child's faith is constantly being renewed, while the contrast between the sun and the stars emphasizes the idea that the child's faith is something that can withstand the harsh realities of the world.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "The Child's Faith is New" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of innocence, purity, and renewal are universal and timeless, and its use of literary devices helps to create a vivid and powerful image of a child's faith. As we read and analyze this poem, we are reminded of the beauty and wonder of the world around us, and the importance of cherishing and protecting the things that are most precious to us.

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