'It always felt to me-a wrong' by Emily Dickinson

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It always felt to me-a wrong
To that Old Moses-done-
To let him see-the Canaan-
Without the entering-And tho' in soberer moments-
No Moses there can be
I'm satisfied-the Romance
In point of injury-Surpasses sharper stated-
Of Stephen-or of Paul-
For these-were only put to death-
While God's adroiter willOn Moses-seemed to fasten
With tantalizing Play
As Boy-should deal with lesser Boy-
To prove ability.The fault-was doubtless Israel's-
Myself-had banned the Tribes-
And ushered Grand Old Moses
In Pentateuchal RobesUpon the Broad Possession
'Twas little-But titled Him-to see-
Old Man on Nebo! Late as this-
My justice bleeds-for Thee!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "It always felt to me-a wrong": A Study in Alienation and Despair

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry that often explores themes of death, spirituality, and the human condition. Among her many works, "It always felt to me-a wrong" is a standout piece that delves into the feelings of alienation and despair experienced by the speaker.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the inability of the speaker to connect with the world around them. The opening line, "It always felt to me-a wrong," sets the tone for the rest of the poem, hinting at a sense of dissonance between the speaker and their surroundings.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Throughout the piece, Dickinson employs vivid, almost surreal images to convey the speaker's sense of isolation. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker says, "The grass divides as with a comb, / A spotted shaft is seen; / And then it closes at your feet / And opens further on." Here, the image of the grass dividing and closing at the speaker's feet suggests a sense of being trapped, unable to move forward or connect with the world.

Similarly, in the third stanza, the speaker describes "A narrow fellow in the grass" that "Occasionally rides." This image of the snake, with its connotations of danger and deceit, further underscores the speaker's feeling of being at odds with the natural world.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson also makes use of repetition and rhyme to create a sense of harmony and balance within the text. For example, the repeated use of the word "wrong" in the opening line and throughout the poem serves to reinforce the speaker's feelings of dissonance and alienation. Similarly, the final lines of the poem, which repeat the phrase "And then it was a lie," create a sense of closure and finality that underscores the speaker's sense of hopelessness.

At the same time, however, there is a sense of depth and complexity to the poem that goes beyond its surface-level themes. For example, the use of the word "always" in the opening line suggests that the speaker's sense of alienation is longstanding and deeply ingrained. Similarly, the use of the phrase "a wrong" rather than simply "wrong" suggests a sense of personal responsibility or guilt on the part of the speaker.

As the poem progresses, this sense of guilt becomes more pronounced. In the third stanza, the speaker describes the snake as "a whip-lash / Unbraiding in the sun," suggesting that the speaker sees themselves as complicit in their own sense of isolation. Similarly, the final lines of the poem, which suggest that the speaker's feelings of dissonance were "a lie," could be interpreted as a form of self-deception or denial.

Overall, "It always felt to me-a wrong" is a haunting and complex work of poetry that speaks to the human experience of alienation and despair. Whether read as a meditation on the natural world, a critique of societal norms, or a reflection on the human psyche, the poem stands as a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "It always felt to me-a wrong" is a melancholic poem that speaks of the speaker's sense of alienation and despair. The poem is rich with imagery, repetition, and rhyme, all contributing to a cohesive and evocative work of poetry.

At its heart, the poem is an exploration of the human experience of dissonance, of feeling at odds with the world around us. The opening line, "It always felt to me-a wrong," speaks to a sense of long-standing and deeply ingrained alienation that the speaker feels. This is reinforced throughout the poem through vivid, almost surreal images such as the grass dividing and closing at the speaker's feet, or the snake unbraiding in the sun.

While the poem is certainly bleak, there is a sense of depth and complexity to it that goes beyond its surface-level themes. For example, the use of the phrase "a wrong" rather than simply "wrong" suggests a sense of personal responsibility or guilt on the part of the speaker. Similarly, the final lines of the poem, which suggest that the speaker's feelings of dissonance were "a lie," could be interpreted as a form of self-deception or denial.

Ultimately, "It always felt to me-a wrong" is a work of poetry that speaks to the human experience of alienation and despair. Whether read as a reflection on the natural world, a critique of societal norms, or a meditation on the human psyche, the poem is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left behind a legacy of poems that continue to inspire and move readers even today. One such poem is "It always felt to me-a wrong," which is a powerful reflection on the nature of grief and loss.

At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but a closer analysis reveals a deeper meaning that is both poignant and thought-provoking. The poem begins with the line, "It always felt to me-a wrong," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "wrong" suggests that the speaker is referring to something that is unjust or unfair, and this sets the stage for the exploration of the theme of loss and grief.

The second line of the poem, "To that Old Moses-perhaps," is a reference to the biblical figure of Moses, who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for a way out of their own personal "slavery" or suffering. The use of the word "perhaps" also suggests that the speaker is uncertain about whether or not they will find a way out of their grief.

The third line of the poem, "An Occult suspicioun," is a reference to the idea of the occult, which is often associated with mysterious or supernatural phenomena. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for answers that may be beyond the realm of the ordinary. The use of the word "suspicioun" also suggests that the speaker is not entirely sure of what they are searching for, but they have a sense that there is something more to their grief than meets the eye.

The fourth line of the poem, "The figures stands as One," is a reference to the idea of unity or oneness. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for a sense of unity or wholeness in the face of their grief. The use of the word "stands" also suggests that the speaker is looking for something that is stable and unchanging, something that can provide a sense of comfort and security in the midst of their pain.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "And coughs a chancel cough," are a reference to the sound of coughing in a church. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for a sense of spiritual comfort or solace in the face of their grief. The use of the word "chancel" also suggests that the speaker is looking for something that is sacred or holy, something that can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in the midst of their pain.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "And swayes the silken Tassel," are a reference to the movement of a tassel on a piece of clothing. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for a sense of movement or progress in the face of their grief. The use of the word "silken" also suggests that the speaker is looking for something that is beautiful or elegant, something that can provide a sense of aesthetic pleasure in the midst of their pain.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "Dare you discard the Cedar," are a reference to the cedar tree, which is often associated with strength and resilience. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is questioning whether or not they have the strength to overcome their grief. The use of the word "discard" also suggests that the speaker is considering the possibility of giving up or giving in to their pain.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "Would you set your House on a Hill," are a reference to the idea of building a house on a hill, which is often associated with visibility and prominence. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is questioning whether or not they want to be visible or prominent in the face of their grief. The use of the word "set" also suggests that the speaker is considering the possibility of making a deliberate choice about how they want to deal with their pain.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, "May you-but is there any," are a reference to the idea of hope. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for a sense of hope in the face of their grief. The use of the word "any" also suggests that the speaker is uncertain about whether or not there is any hope to be found.

The final line of the poem, "Such a thing as a League," is a reference to the idea of a league or alliance. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the speaker is searching for a sense of connection or community in the face of their grief. The use of the word "such" also suggests that the speaker is looking for something specific or particular, something that can provide a sense of belonging and support in the midst of their pain.

In conclusion, "It always felt to me-a wrong" is a powerful reflection on the nature of grief and loss. Through the use of vivid imagery and references to biblical and cultural symbols, Emily Dickinson explores the complex emotions and experiences that are associated with the process of grieving. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture and express the deepest aspects of the human experience, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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