'I gave myself to Him' by Emily Dickinson
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I gave myself to Him-
And took Himself, for Pay,
The solemn contract of a Life
Was ratified, this way-The Wealth might disappoint-
Myself a poorer prove
Than this great Purchaser suspect,
The Daily Own-of LoveDepreciate the Vision-
But till the Merchant buy-
Still Fable-in the Isles of Spice-
The subtle Cargoes-lie-At least-'tis Mutual-Risk-
Some-found it-Mutual Gain-
Sweet Debt of Life-Each Night to owe-
Insolvent-every Noon-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I gave myself to Him" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
What does it really mean to give oneself to another? Is it a physical surrender or an emotional one? Is it an act of love or submission? These are the questions that come to mind when one reads Emily Dickinson's poem "I gave myself to Him".
At first glance, the poem seems like a straightforward confession of love from a woman to her lover. However, once you start delving deeper into the layers of meaning and metaphor, you begin to realize that there is so much more to this poem than meets the eye. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "I gave myself to Him" and uncover the true essence of Dickinson's words.
Theme: Love or Submission?
The first thing that strikes the reader about the poem is the title itself. "I gave myself to Him" immediately sets up a power dynamic between the speaker and the person she is addressing. It suggests that the speaker has willingly surrendered herself to someone else, and that this surrender is a defining moment in her life.
The question is, who is this "Him" that the speaker is referring to? Is it a lover, a spouse, a master? The poem does not give us any concrete answers, but it does suggest that the relationship between the speaker and Him is one of unequal power. The use of the pronoun "Him" with a capital H implies a certain reverence or respect for the person being addressed, as if they are a deity or authority figure.
The first stanza of the poem further emphasizes the idea of surrender and submission:
I gave myself to Him –
And took Himself, for Pay,
The solemn contract of a Life
Was ratified, this way –
The use of the word "contract" suggests that giving oneself to another is a deliberate and binding action, almost like a legal agreement. The phrase "took Himself, for Pay" is ambiguous – does it mean that the speaker is giving herself to Him in exchange for something, or that she is taking Him as payment for something she has already given? Either way, the implication is that there is a transactional element to this relationship.
The second stanza of the poem introduces another layer of meaning:
The Wealth might disappoint –
Myself a poorer prove
Than this great Purchaser suspect,
Whose wealthier, I renounce –
Here, the speaker suggests that she may be "poorer" in terms of material wealth than Him, but that this does not matter to her. She is willing to renounce her own wealth in order to be with Him. This brings up the question of whether the surrender the speaker is describing is an act of love or an act of submission. Is she giving herself to Him because she loves him, or because she feels she has no other choice?
The final stanza of the poem adds yet another layer of complexity to this theme:
The Daily own of Him
Where I devoutly steer
Is every Life easier I know
Than his – surmised – to wear –
Here, the speaker seems to suggest that being with Him is not easy. She describes it as a "Daily own", implying that it is a burden or responsibility that she must carry. At the same time, she describes herself as "devoutly steer[ing]" towards Him, which suggests a strong sense of loyalty and devotion.
All of these themes and ideas come together to create a complex portrait of a relationship that is both loving and unequal. The speaker is willingly surrendering herself to another, but there is a sense that this surrender is not entirely freely given. It is a fascinating exploration of the nuances of power, love, and submission.
Symbolism: The Apple and the Garden
One of the most striking aspects of "I gave myself to Him" is the use of symbolism. Dickinson often used simple, everyday objects to represent complex ideas, and this poem is no exception. The two main symbols in the poem are the apple and the garden.
The apple is a symbol that has been used throughout literary history to represent temptation, sin, and knowledge. In the Bible, it is the fruit that Eve eats in the Garden of Eden, leading to the fall of humanity. In Dickinson's poem, the apple takes on a similar significance:
The Owner of the soil
Levied an Ample Ransom
From out the Garden called "Paradise"
And paid in Specie – Gold –
Here, the "Owner of the soil" can be read as a stand-in for God, and the Garden of Eden is referenced explicitly. The idea of a "Ransom" being paid suggests that something precious has been lost or taken, and that a sacrifice is required to restore it. The fact that the ransom is paid in gold adds to the sense of preciousness and value.
The second symbol used in the poem is the garden:
The Garden for a Delight
Was finished every day
And now completed, lies content
In Heaven to survey –
The description of the Garden as a "Delight" suggests that it is a place of happiness and joy. The fact that it is "completed" and "lies content" in Heaven implies that it is a perfect, unspoiled paradise.
Taken together, the apple and the garden can be read as representing the relationship between the speaker and Him. The apple represents the temptation and sin that are inherent in any romantic or sexual relationship, while the garden represents the idea of a perfect, unspoiled love. The fact that the apple comes from the Garden of Eden, a place of original sin, adds a layer of complexity to this symbolism.
Literary Devices: Meter and Rhyme
Finally, it is worth considering the way that Dickinson uses meter and rhyme in "I gave myself to Him". The poem is composed in what is known as "common meter", a poetic form that alternates lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. This creates a rhythmic pattern that is easy to read and remember:
I gave my - self to Him -
And took Him - self, for Pay -
The sol - emn con - tract of a Life
Was rat - i - fied, this way -
The use of rhyme is also significant. Each stanza of the poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, with the final line of each stanza repeating the first line. This creates a sense of cyclical repetition that reinforces the idea of a binding contract or agreement.
Dickinson's use of meter and rhyme also serves to frame the poem as a kind of hymn or prayer. The repetition and simplicity of the form suggest a sense of devotion and reverence, as if the speaker is addressing a higher power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I gave myself to Him" is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of power, love, and submission. It uses symbolism, meter, and rhyme to create a powerful meditation on the nature of surrender and sacrifice. The poem leaves many questions unanswered – Who is the "Him" that the speaker is addressing? What kind of relationship are they in? – but it is precisely these unanswered questions that give the poem its power and resonance. Dickinson invites the reader to engage with her words and to find their own meaning in them. It is a testament to her skill as a poet that her words continue to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Emily Dickinson's poem "I gave myself to Him" is a classic example of how poetry can express complex emotions in a few simple words. This poem is a beautiful and poignant expression of love, devotion, and surrender. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem "I gave myself to Him" is a short and simple poem consisting of only four lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is a woman who is expressing her love and devotion to her beloved. The poem reads:
I gave myself to Him – And took Himself, for Pay, The solemn contract of a Life Was ratified, this way –
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she has given herself to her beloved. The use of the word "Him" in the first line is significant as it suggests that the speaker's beloved is a man. The act of giving oneself to someone is a powerful expression of love and devotion. The speaker is not just giving her body but her entire being to her beloved.
The second line of the poem is equally significant. The speaker says that she has taken her beloved for pay. This line suggests that the speaker is not just giving herself to her beloved out of love but also because she expects something in return. The use of the word "pay" suggests that the speaker is expecting some kind of compensation for her love and devotion. This compensation could be in the form of love, affection, or even material possessions.
The third line of the poem is the most significant. The speaker says that the solemn contract of a life was ratified this way. This line suggests that the act of giving oneself to someone is not just a casual or fleeting gesture but a solemn contract. The use of the word "solemn" suggests that the speaker is aware of the gravity of her actions. The act of giving oneself to someone is not just a physical act but a spiritual and emotional one as well.
The use of the word "contract" is also significant. A contract is a legal agreement between two parties, and it suggests that the act of giving oneself to someone is not just an emotional one but a legal one as well. The use of the word "life" in this line is also significant. It suggests that the act of giving oneself to someone is not just a temporary one but a lifelong commitment.
The final line of the poem is a powerful one. The speaker says that the contract was ratified this way. The use of the word "ratified" suggests that the act of giving oneself to someone is not just a verbal agreement but a formal one as well. The use of the word "this way" suggests that the speaker is aware of the significance of her actions and is willing to accept the consequences of her decision.
The poem "I gave myself to Him" is a beautiful and poignant expression of love, devotion, and surrender. The poem is significant because it challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. In the poem, the speaker is a woman who is expressing her love and devotion to a man. However, the act of giving oneself to someone is not just a feminine gesture but a human one as well. The poem suggests that love and devotion are not just the domain of women but of all human beings.
The poem is also significant because it challenges traditional notions of love and marriage. In the poem, the act of giving oneself to someone is not just a romantic gesture but a legal and formal one as well. The poem suggests that love and marriage are not just emotional but legal and formal as well.
In conclusion, the poem "I gave myself to Him" is a beautiful and poignant expression of love, devotion, and surrender. The poem challenges traditional gender roles and expectations and suggests that love and devotion are not just the domain of women but of all human beings. The poem also challenges traditional notions of love and marriage and suggests that love and marriage are not just emotional but legal and formal as well. The poem is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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