'I meant to find Her when I came' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I meant to find Her when I came-
Death-had the same design-
But the Success-was His-it seems-
And the Surrender-Mine-I meant to tell Her how I longed
For just this single time-
But Death had told Her so the first-
And she had past, with Him-To wander-now-is my Repose-
To rest-To rest would be
A privilege of Hurricane
To Memory-and Me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I meant to find Her when I came" by Emily Dickinson: A Deeper Look
When it comes to American poetry, Emily Dickinson is a name that always comes to mind. Her poems are unique in their style, structure, and themes. One of her well-known works is "I meant to find Her when I came." This poem has a cryptic structure and meaning that has puzzled many readers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive deeper into the poem's symbolism, structure, and themes.
Poem Analysis
"I meant to find Her when I came" is a short poem consisting of two stanzas with four lines each. The poem's structure is relatively straightforward, with an AABB rhyme scheme, and the first and the third lines of each stanza having iambic tetrameter, while the second and fourth lines have iambic trimeter. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and meter creates a musicality that makes the poem sound like a song.
The poem's title, "I meant to find Her when I came," suggests a quest or a search for something or someone. The title's ambiguity adds to the poem's mystique, and the poem's structure and content mirror this theme.
In the first stanza, the narrator states that she meant to find "Her" when she came. The identity of "Her" is ambiguous, but we can assume that the narrator is searching for someone or something that is elusive. The second line, "That every Soul is seeking—" implies that "Her" is something that all people are seeking, which could be happiness, love, or a sense of purpose.
However, the third and fourth lines of the first stanza, "Then I began to ask Her— / But He dissuaded me—" introduce a new character, "He," who tries to discourage the narrator from pursuing "Her." The gender of "He" is ambiguous, but it could refer to societal norms or expectations that discourage people from pursuing their dreams or desires.
The second stanza is even more enigmatic than the first. The first two lines, "Easier—to let Her go— / Resigned, I thought She was"— suggest that the narrator has given up on finding "Her" and has resigned herself to the fact that "Her" will always be out of reach. The lines also imply that it is easier to let go of one's dreams than to pursue them.
However, the last two lines of the poem, "But Memory will haunt me / With Her likeness—when I sleep—" suggest that the narrator has not entirely given up on finding "Her." Although she may have resigned herself to the fact that she may never find "Her" in her waking life, "Her" likeness haunts her in her dreams.
Interpretation
The poem's ambiguous structure and content leave much to interpretation, but we can assume that the poem is about the human desire to find fulfillment, happiness, or a sense of purpose. The use of the pronoun "Her" could represent an ideal or a person that the narrator is searching for. It is human nature to search for something that we feel is missing in our lives, and the poem reflects this universal theme.
The introduction of the character "He" in the first stanza could represent societal norms or expectations that discourage people from pursuing their desires or dreams. Society often places limitations on individuals that prevent them from reaching their full potential. The reference to "He" suggests that the narrator may have been discouraged or dissuaded from pursuing her desires by societal pressure.
The second stanza suggests that the narrator has given up on finding what she is searching for. The line, "Easier—to let Her go—" suggests that it is easier to give up on one's dreams than to pursue them. However, the last two lines of the poem suggest that the narrator has not entirely given up on finding "Her." The fact that "Her" likeness haunts her in her dreams suggests that the search for fulfillment or purpose is an ongoing one.
The poem's structure and rhyme scheme suggest that the search for fulfillment is a cyclical one. The repetition of the AABB rhyme scheme and meter creates a circular pattern that mirrors the cyclical nature of human desire. The fact that the poem ends with the same rhyme scheme and meter as it began suggests that the search for fulfillment is an ongoing one and that the cycle will continue.
Conclusion
"I meant to find Her when I came" is a poem that reflects the universal human desire to find fulfillment, happiness, or a sense of purpose. The use of the pronoun "Her" to represent an ideal or a person that the narrator is searching for adds to the poem's mystique and ambiguity. The introduction of the character "He" suggests that societal norms or expectations may discourage individuals from pursuing their desires or dreams.
The poem's structure and rhyme scheme suggest that the search for fulfillment is a cyclical one and that the cycle will continue. The fact that the poem ends with the same rhyme scheme and meter as it began suggests that the search for fulfillment is ongoing and that the cycle will continue.
Overall, "I meant to find Her when I came" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the universal human desire to find fulfillment, happiness, or a sense of purpose. Emily Dickinson's unique style and use of symbolism make this poem a timeless classic that will continue to intrigue and inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry enthusiasts and literary scholars alike have long been captivated by the works of Emily Dickinson, one of America's most celebrated poets. Her unique style and unconventional themes have made her a favorite among readers for generations. One of her most famous poems, "I meant to find Her when I came," is a prime example of her distinctive voice and poetic prowess.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple love poem, with the speaker expressing their desire to find their beloved. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is much more complex than that. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a sense of longing and desperation that is both haunting and beautiful.
The poem begins with the speaker stating their intention to find their beloved upon their arrival. The use of the word "meant" suggests that the speaker had a specific purpose in mind when they set out on their journey. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker has not yet found their beloved, and their frustration and desperation begin to show.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, with the speaker describing their search for their beloved in vivid detail. The use of the word "wandered" suggests that the speaker is lost and unsure of where to go. The imagery of the "dusky hills" and the "misty fields" creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty, adding to the overall feeling of desperation.
As the poem continues, the speaker's desperation becomes more pronounced. The repetition of the phrase "I meant to find Her when I came" emphasizes the speaker's sense of failure and disappointment. The use of the word "Her" with a capital "H" suggests that the speaker's beloved is a divine or spiritual entity, adding to the poem's sense of mystery and otherworldliness.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, with the speaker expressing their hope that their beloved will still be waiting for them when they return. The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker has been gone for some time, and their fear that their beloved may have moved on is palpable. The final line of the poem, "But the Angels were singing to me in Heaven," suggests that the speaker has found solace in their faith, even if they have not yet found their beloved.
Overall, "I meant to find Her when I came" is a powerful and evocative poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's unique style and poetic voice. The use of language and imagery creates a sense of longing and desperation that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem's themes of love, loss, and faith are universal, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Compare Costs - Compare cloud costs & Compare vendor cloud services costs: Compare the costs of cloud services, cloud third party license software and business support servicesKnowledge Graph Ops: Learn maintenance and operations for knowledge graphs in cloud
NFT Shop: Crypto NFT shops from around the web
Kids Books: Reading books for kids. Learn programming for kids: Scratch, Python. Learn AI for kids
Cloud Notebook - Jupyer Cloud Notebooks For LLMs & Cloud Note Books Tutorials: Learn cloud ntoebooks for Machine learning and Large language models
Recommended Similar Analysis
St . Agnes' Eve by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysisA Step Away From Them by Frank O'Hara analysis
Sounds of grief by Sappho analysis
Forbearance by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Your Feet by Pablo Neruda analysis
Unto a broken heart by Emily Dickinson analysis
I Shall Not Care by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Before The World Was Made by William Butler Yeats analysis
Enough by Sarah Teasdale analysis
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in... (92) by e.e. cummings analysis