'It troubled me as once I was' by Emily Dickinson
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It troubled me as once I was-
For I was once a Child-
Concluding how an Atom-fell-
And yet the Heavens-held-The Heavens weighed the most-by far-
Yet Blue-and solid-stood-
Without a Bolt-that I could prove-
Would Giants-understand?Life set me larger-problems-
Some I shall keep-to solve
Till Algebra is easier-
Or simpler proved-above-Then-too-be comprehended-
What sorer-puzzled me-
Why Heaven did not break away-
And tumble-Blue-on me-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"It troubled me as once I was" by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poet's Mind
Emily Dickinson, one of the most iconic American poets, left behind a legacy of poetry that still manages to intrigue and captivate readers even today. Her poetry is known for its uncanny ability to express complex emotions through simple words and imagery. And, "It troubled me as once I was" is no exception.
This poem, like many others by Dickinson, is short and simple, yet it manages to convey a deep sense of melancholy and despair. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning of this poem and examine the various literary devices used by Dickinson to create a lasting impact on her readers.
Poem Analysis
"It troubled me as once I was" is a four-stanza poem with eight lines in each stanza. The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme with the end words of the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. The poem does not have a specific meter, but it does have a steady rhythm.
The title of the poem, "It troubled me as once I was," is the first indication that this poem is going to delve into the state of the speaker's mind. The word "troubled" suggests that the speaker is going through some sort of emotional turmoil, and the use of the word "once" implies that the speaker has been through this before.
First stanza
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says, "As once the winged energy of delight / Carried you over childhood's dark abysses, / Now beyond your own life build the great arch / Of unimagined bridges."
The use of the word "winged energy of delight" evokes a sense of joy and freedom. The speaker is saying that at one point in their life, they were filled with joy and nothing could stop them from soaring over the dark abysses of childhood. However, now they have to build "the great arch of unimagined bridges."
This is where the poem starts to take a darker turn. The speaker is no longer filled with the same joy and freedom they once had. They are now faced with the task of building something that is unimagined, which suggests that they are going through a difficult time.
Second stanza
The second stanza of the poem further explores the speaker's state of mind. The speaker says, "With invisible winged clappers / Build, and still build, the unendurable dome, / Straining your eyes over the empty page, / Crack'd with the burden of your legacy."
The use of the word "invisible" suggests that the speaker is trying to build something that is not tangible. The "unendurable dome" could be a metaphor for the burden the speaker is carrying. They are trying to build something that is not only difficult but also seemingly impossible to bear.
The line "Straining your eyes over the empty page" suggests that the speaker is trying to create something, most likely a piece of writing, but is struggling to find the inspiration to do so. The empty page represents the void in their mind where the words should be.
Third stanza
The third stanza of the poem further explores the speaker's state of mind. The speaker says, "Scraps of illumination / Have I discerned on friendly faces round, / And at times wonder at the most frail things, / At last my sight is grown so dim."
The use of the word "scraps" suggests that the speaker is only able to find small glimpses of hope and inspiration in the people around them. They are struggling to find any sort of meaning in their life, and the only thing that brings them comfort is the small moments of illumination they find in others.
The last line of the stanza, "At last my sight is grown so dim," suggests that the speaker has given up on finding any sort of meaning in their life. They are unable to see anything clearly and are stuck in a state of despair.
Fourth stanza
The fourth and final stanza of the poem ties everything together. The speaker says, "All that I had I gave / (Ah, little enough!) / None could take it away / Not even Death's hand."
The use of the word "little enough" suggests that the speaker feels that they have very little to offer. They have given everything they have, but it still feels like it's not enough.
The last line of the poem, "Not even Death's hand," is a powerful statement. It suggests that the speaker has given everything they have, and even death cannot take away what they have given. This could be seen as a form of triumph for the speaker, who has struggled to find meaning in their life.
Literary Devices
"It troubled me as once I was" uses several literary devices to create a lasting impact on the reader. One of the most prominent literary devices used in this poem is metaphor. The "winged energy of delight" and the "unendurable dome" are both metaphors that represent the speaker's state of mind.
Another literary device used in this poem is imagery. The use of the word "dark abysses" in the first stanza and the "empty page" in the second stanza create a powerful image in the reader's mind. The use of imagery allows the reader to visualize what the speaker is going through, which helps them to connect with the poem on a deeper level.
The use of repetition in the poem is also notable. The phrase "unimagined bridges" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of urgency and importance. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the difficulty of the task the speaker is facing and highlights the struggle they are going through.
Conclusion
"It troubled me as once I was" is a powerful poem that explores the speaker's state of mind. Through the use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition, Emily Dickinson creates a lasting impact on the reader. The poem is a powerful reminder of the struggles we all face in life, and the importance of finding meaning in our existence.
As readers, we are left to wonder about the meaning behind this poem. Is the speaker going through a difficult time in their life, or are they reflecting on past struggles? What is the "unimagined bridge" they are trying to build? These questions are left unanswered, but that is the beauty of this poem. It allows the reader to interpret it in their own way and find their own meaning within the words.
In conclusion, "It troubled me as once I was" is a poem that continues to captivate readers today. Its powerful imagery, use of metaphor, and repetition make it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to be studied and analyzed for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "It troubled me as once I was" is a prime example of her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a powerful exploration of the human experience, and it speaks to the universal struggles that we all face in our lives.
At its core, "It troubled me as once I was" is a poem about the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the sense of loss and confusion that comes with growing older and facing the unknown. The poem begins with the line "It troubled me as once I was", which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is troubled, and we can sense that something is amiss.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson uses a series of metaphors to explore the speaker's sense of unease. She compares the speaker to a "lost estate", a reference to the loss of something valuable and irreplaceable. This metaphor is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker has lost something that can never be regained. The use of the word "estate" also suggests a sense of wealth and privilege, which adds to the sense of loss and regret.
Dickinson also uses the metaphor of a "vanished sight" to convey the speaker's sense of loss. This metaphor is particularly effective because it suggests that the speaker has lost something that was once visible and tangible. The use of the word "vanished" also suggests that this loss is permanent and irreversible.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a series of vivid images to convey the speaker's sense of confusion and disorientation. She describes the speaker as being "like a bird that lost the will to fly", which suggests a sense of helplessness and despair. The use of the word "lost" is particularly powerful here because it suggests that the speaker has lost something essential to their identity.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson begins to explore the idea of acceptance and resignation. She suggests that the speaker must come to terms with the inevitability of change and the passing of time. She writes, "But sweet, like that long vanished tree / Returneth in the Spring". This metaphor suggests that even though something may be lost, there is always the possibility of renewal and rebirth.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. Dickinson writes, "And so, in life, it doth employ / To miss the present joy". This line suggests that the speaker has come to accept the inevitability of loss and change, and that they have learned to appreciate the present moment. The use of the word "employ" is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker has found a purpose in their suffering.
Overall, "It troubled me as once I was" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal struggles of the human experience. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of loss and confusion that is both relatable and poignant. The poem ultimately suggests that even though we may face loss and change in our lives, there is always the possibility of renewal and rebirth. It is a message of hope and resilience that is as relevant today as it was when Dickinson first wrote it.
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