'Don't put up my Thread and Needle' by Emily Dickinson
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Don't put up my Thread and Needle-
I'll begin to Sew
When the Birds begin to whistle-
Better Stitches-so-These were bent-my sight got crooked-
When my mind-is plain
I'll do seams-a Queen's endeavor
Would not blush to own-Hems-too fine for Lady's tracing
To the sightless Knot-
Tucks-of dainty interspersion-
Like a dotted Dot-Leave my Needle in the furrow-
Where I put it down-
I can make the zigzag stitches
Straight-when I am strong-Till then-dreaming I am sewing
Fetch the seam I missed-
Closer-so I-at my sleeping-
Still surmise I stitch-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Thread That Connects Us All: A Close Reading of Emily Dickinson's "Don't put up my Thread and Needle"
Emily Dickinson's "Don't put up my Thread and Needle" is a short yet powerful poem that captures the essence of human connection and the importance of leaving a legacy. In just twelve lines, Dickinson manages to convey a deep sense of loss and longing, while also celebrating the simple joys of life. Through a close reading of the poem, we can uncover the many layers of meaning that lie beneath its deceptively simple surface.
Context and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it's important to understand a bit about Emily Dickinson's life and work. Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived there for most of her life, rarely venturing out of her home town. She was a prolific poet, though few of her poems were published during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death in 1886 that her work began to gain recognition, and today she is considered one of the greatest American poets of all time.
"Don't put up my Thread and Needle" was likely written in the mid-1860s, a time when Dickinson was at the height of her creative powers. Though she led a reclusive life, Dickinson was deeply attuned to the world around her, and her poetry reflects a keen awareness of nature, love, and death.
Poem Analysis
Now let's turn to the poem itself. Here is the full text:
Don't put up my Thread and Needle —
I'll begin to Sew
When the Birds begin to whistle —
Better Stitches — so —
These were to my Mind, if you please,
The quietest Room of all —
No slamming of a Door — or Footstep on the floor —
Nice — quiet — Smoothing Life's uneven Road —
Yet — Door — and the Floor —
Were not importunate — so I went one Day
And the Door — and the Floor —
Were opened — just a little —
And I went politely out
And stepped aside a Velvet Curtain —
At first glance, the poem seems quite simple. It's a short, four-stanza poem consisting of twelve lines, and the language is straightforward and easy to understand. However, upon closer examination, we begin to see the many layers of meaning that lie beneath the surface.
The poem begins with the speaker instructing someone not to put away her thread and needle, as she plans to begin sewing when the birds start to whistle. Right away, we get a sense of the speaker's love of nature and her connection to the world around her. The fact that she plans to start sewing when the birds start to whistle suggests that she is attuned to the rhythms of the natural world and finds inspiration in its beauty.
The second and third lines of the poem are key to understanding its deeper meaning. The speaker says that she will sew better stitches when the birds begin to whistle, implying that there is a connection between her sewing and the natural world. This connection becomes clearer in the next stanza, where the speaker describes her sewing room as "the quietest Room of all." The contrast between the quiet of her sewing room and the noise of the outside world is striking, and suggests that the speaker finds solace and peace in her sewing.
The fourth and fifth lines of the poem continue this theme of peace and quiet. The speaker describes her sewing room as a place where there is no slamming of doors or footsteps on the floor, where life's uneven road is smoothed out. The use of the word "uneven" here is interesting, as it suggests that life is full of bumps and obstacles, but that the act of sewing helps to smooth them out. This is further reinforced by the repetition of the word "quiet" in these lines, which emphasizes the sense of peace and calm that the speaker finds in her sewing.
The next two lines of the poem are a bit more mysterious. The speaker says that the door and the floor of her sewing room were not importunate, so she went one day and the door and the floor were opened just a little. The use of the word "importunate" here is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker does not want to be bothered or interrupted while she is sewing. However, the fact that she eventually goes out and opens the door and the floor suggests that she is curious about the outside world and wants to explore it.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker says that she stepped aside a velvet curtain, but we are not told what is behind the curtain. This leaves us with a sense of mystery and uncertainty, but also a feeling of anticipation and excitement. The fact that the speaker stepped aside the curtain suggests that she is ready to explore whatever lies beyond, even if she doesn't know what it is.
Themes and Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? At its core, "Don't put up my Thread and Needle" is a poem about human connection and the importance of leaving a legacy. The act of sewing, which is central to the poem, is a metaphor for the way in which we connect with others and leave our mark on the world. Just as the speaker sews stitches that will endure long after she is gone, so too do we leave behind a legacy that will be remembered by those who come after us.
The connection between sewing and nature is also important. By starting to sew when the birds begin to whistle, the speaker suggests that she is attuned to the rhythms of the natural world and finds inspiration in its beauty. This connection to nature is further reinforced by the quiet of the sewing room, which stands in contrast to the noise and chaos of the outside world. By finding peace and solace in her sewing, the speaker is able to connect with the world around her in a meaningful way.
The mysterious final two lines of the poem leave us with a sense of anticipation and excitement. What lies behind the velvet curtain? We can't be sure, but the fact that the speaker steps aside it suggests that she is ready to explore whatever lies beyond. This sense of curiosity and adventure is a key part of the human experience, and reminds us that even in our most quiet and peaceful moments, there is always the possibility of something new and exciting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Don't put up my Thread and Needle" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of human connection and the importance of leaving a legacy. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson is able to convey a deep sense of loss and longing, while also celebrating the simple joys of life. By exploring the many layers of meaning in this deceptively simple poem, we are reminded of the power of language and the enduring legacy of great poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Don't put up my Thread and Needle: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her poem "Don't put up my Thread and Needle" is a perfect example of her ability to convey deep emotions through simple words. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind this poem and how it reflects Dickinson's views on life and death.
The poem begins with the line "Don't put up my Thread and Needle," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing someone, presumably a loved one, and asking them not to put away their sewing supplies after they have passed away. This simple request is a powerful statement about the speaker's desire to remain connected to the world even after death.
The second line of the poem, "I'll begin to Sew when the Sun goes down," is a reference to the traditional belief that the dead rise at night. By saying that she will begin to sew when the sun goes down, the speaker is suggesting that she will continue to be active and productive even after death. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often portrays death as a continuation of life rather than an end.
The third line of the poem, "The Needle I thread will serve to tie / The Summer's Shroud, as Winter's by," is a reference to the cycle of life and death. The speaker is saying that the needle she threads will be used to sew both summer and winter shrouds, symbolizing the inevitability of death and the cyclical nature of life. This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even in death, the speaker will continue to be a part of the natural world.
The fourth line of the poem, "If Sun and Rain, as they agree," is a reference to the unpredictability of life. The speaker is acknowledging that life is full of ups and downs, and that even in death, there will be both good and bad times. This line is a reminder that life is not always easy, but that it is still worth living.
The fifth line of the poem, "To stitch my scenes, out into Day," is a reference to the speaker's desire to leave a lasting legacy. By "stitching" her scenes out into the day, the speaker is saying that she wants to be remembered and that her life was not in vain. This line is a powerful statement about the human desire for immortality and the importance of leaving a mark on the world.
The final two lines of the poem, "Let Wreaths of Snow, the Busts adorn / Of Him, that was the Honestest Man," are a reference to the speaker's belief in the importance of honesty and integrity. The wreaths of snow symbolize the passing of time and the inevitability of death, while the busts represent the lasting legacy of a life well-lived. By saying that the wreaths should adorn the busts of the "honestest man," the speaker is suggesting that honesty and integrity are the most important qualities a person can possess.
In conclusion, "Don't put up my Thread and Needle" is a powerful poem that reflects Emily Dickinson's views on life and death. Through simple words and imagery, Dickinson conveys the idea that even in death, we can continue to be a part of the world and leave a lasting legacy. The poem is a reminder that life is not always easy, but that it is still worth living and that honesty and integrity are the most important qualities a person can possess.
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