'Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?' by Emily Dickinson
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Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?
Not Death-for who is He?
The Porter of my Father's Lodge
As much abasheth me!Of Life? 'Twere odd I fear [a] thing
That comprehendeth me
In one or two existences-
As Deity decree-Of Resurrection? Is the East
Afraid to trust the Morn
With her fastidious forehead?
As soon impeach my Crown!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?
Introduction
When it comes to the works of Emily Dickinson, there is no shortage of intriguing and thought-provoking poems to delve into. One such poem is "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" which explores the concept of fear and the various forms it can take in our lives. As we dive into this classic piece of literature, we'll explore its themes, symbols, and literary techniques, and gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's unique perspective on the human experience.
Summary
At its core, "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" is a poem that examines the many ways in which fear can manifest in our lives. Throughout the course of the poem, Dickinson presents different scenarios in which fear may arise, including fear of the unknown, fear of judgement, fear of death, and fear of losing our sense of self.
Despite the many potential sources of fear, however, the speaker of the poem remains defiant and resolute in the face of adversity. Rather than succumbing to fear, she stands firm and asserts her own strength and agency as an individual.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" is the idea that fear is a natural and inevitable part of the human experience. Dickinson reminds us that fear can arise in all sorts of situations, even those that might seem mundane or insignificant at first glance.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the importance of self-confidence in overcoming fear. The speaker of the poem refuses to be cowed by the various sources of fear she encounters, insisting that she has the strength and courage to face them head-on.
Finally, "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" also touches on the concept of mortality and the fear of death that can haunt us all. The poem suggests that even in the face of our own mortality, we can find the courage to live boldly and fearlessly.
Symbols
One symbol that recurs throughout the poem is the use of darkness and light. Dickinson uses the contrast between light and dark to underscore the many different sources of fear that we may encounter in our lives. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker refers to the "night" that surrounds her, suggesting a sense of foreboding and uncertainty.
Another symbol that appears in "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" is the concept of the "Judge." The speaker of the poem expresses a fear of being judged by others, which can be a powerful source of anxiety and insecurity for many people.
Finally, the concept of "self" is also an important symbol in the poem. The speaker asserts her own sense of self-worth and personal agency in the face of fear, suggesting that a strong sense of self can be a powerful tool for overcoming our fears.
Literary Techniques
One of the most notable literary techniques used in "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" is Dickinson's use of repetition. The poem is structured around a series of rhetorical questions, with each stanza beginning with the phrase "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" This repetition helps to create a sense of urgency and emphasis on the poem's central theme of fear.
Another literary technique that Dickinson employs in the poem is the use of metaphor. For example, in the second stanza, she compares the fear of being judged by others to the "small external force" that can cause a ship to capsize. This metaphor helps to illustrate the power that fear can hold over us, even when it may seem insignificant at first.
Finally, Dickinson's use of imagery throughout the poem is also notable. Through her descriptions of darkness, light, and other sensory details, she creates a vivid picture of the various scenarios in which fear may arise.
Interpretation
Ultimately, "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" serves as a powerful reminder of the many ways in which fear can affect our lives. Through her use of repetition, metaphor, and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of urgency and intensity that underscores the importance of facing our fears head-on.
At the same time, the poem also suggests that we don't have to face our fears alone. By asserting her own sense of self-worth and personal agency, the speaker of the poem serves as a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with fear and anxiety.
In the end, "Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" is a timeless piece of literature that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and deeply personal. Whether we are grappling with fear of the unknown, fear of judgement, or fear of death itself, Dickinson's words remind us that we are never truly alone in our struggles.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" This poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the fear that it can evoke in people. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The Poem
Poetry Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? Not Death—for who is He? The Porter of my Father’s Lodge As much abasheth me.
Of Life—'twere odd I fear— The Life He has so blank, I wonder if He know me now Without an opiate rank.
Of Resurrection—sure— I fear His scrutiny— Enough!—The Wise perceive no less Than He has offered me!
Analysis
The poem begins with the line "Poetry Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the central theme of fear. The speaker is questioning why poetry is afraid and who or what it is afraid of. This line also creates a sense of intrigue and mystery, drawing the reader in and making them curious about what the poem will explore.
The next line, "Not Death—for who is He?" suggests that the speaker is not afraid of death. This is an interesting choice, as death is often seen as one of the most fearsome things in life. However, the speaker seems to be suggesting that death is not something to be feared, as it is simply the "Porter of my Father’s Lodge." This metaphorical language suggests that death is simply a gateway to another realm, and not something to be afraid of.
The third line, "As much abasheth me," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "abasheth" means to embarrass or humiliate, so it seems that the speaker is saying that death is not something that embarrasses or humiliates them. However, the use of the word "as much" suggests that there is something else that does embarrass or humiliate them, but we don't know what that is yet.
The next stanza begins with the line "Of Life—'twere odd I fear—" which suggests that the speaker does not fear life. This is another interesting choice, as life can be just as scary as death. However, the speaker seems to be suggesting that they do not fear life because it is "so blank." This could mean that the speaker finds life to be dull or uninteresting, and therefore not something to be afraid of. The use of the word "blank" also suggests that the speaker may feel disconnected from life, as if they are simply going through the motions without really experiencing it.
The next line, "I wonder if He know me now," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The "He" in this line could refer to God or some other higher power, and the speaker seems to be questioning whether or not this higher power knows them. The use of the word "now" suggests that the speaker may feel disconnected from this higher power, as if they have lost touch with it.
The final line of this stanza, "Without an opiate rank," is also a bit difficult to interpret. The word "opiate" suggests something that dulls the senses or makes one feel numb, so it seems that the speaker is saying that they wonder if this higher power knows them without the use of any sort of numbing agent. This could suggest that the speaker is questioning whether or not they are truly experiencing life, or if they are simply going through the motions without really feeling anything.
The final stanza begins with the line "Of Resurrection—sure—" which suggests that the speaker is afraid of resurrection. This is another interesting choice, as resurrection is often seen as a positive thing. However, the speaker seems to be suggesting that they fear the scrutiny that comes with resurrection. This could mean that the speaker is afraid of being judged for their actions in life, or that they are afraid of being held accountable for their mistakes.
The next line, "I fear His scrutiny—" reinforces this idea, suggesting that the speaker is afraid of being judged by this higher power. The use of the word "His" suggests that the speaker is referring to God, or some other higher power.
The final two lines of the poem, "Enough!—The Wise perceive no less/Than He has offered me!" suggest that the speaker has come to a realization. The use of the word "Enough!" suggests that the speaker has had enough of their fear and uncertainty, and is ready to move on. The next line, "The Wise perceive no less/Than He has offered me!" suggests that the speaker has come to the realization that they have been given everything they need in life, and that they should not be afraid of what comes next.
Conclusion
"Poetry Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of fear and uncertainty. Through the use of metaphorical language and intricate wordplay, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged. Ultimately, the poem suggests that fear is something that can be overcome, and that we should not be afraid of what comes next.
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