'We see-Comparatively' by Emily Dickinson

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We see-Comparatively-
The Thing so towering high
We could not grasp its segment
Unaided-Yesterday-This Morning's finer Verdict-
Makes scarcely worth the toil-
A furrow-Our Cordillera-
Our Apennine-a Knoll-Perhaps 'tis kindly-done us-
The Anguish-and the loss-
The wrenching-for His Firmament
The Thing belonged to us-To spare these Striding Spirits
Some Morning of Chagrin-
The waking in a Gnat's-embrace-
Our Giants-further on-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "We see-Comparatively" by Emily Dickinson

Have you ever read a poem that speaks to your soul, making you feel understood in a way that no one else seems to? That's exactly how I felt when I first read "We see-Comparatively" by Emily Dickinson. This poem, like many of her works, is a masterpiece of understated emotion and complex ideas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes, structure, and language of this poem, and hopefully, shed some light on why it continues to resonate with readers today.

Theme

At its core, "We see-Comparatively" is a poem about perception and the limitations of human understanding. Dickinson uses a variety of metaphors and similes to illustrate how our ability to comprehend the world around us is limited by our own individual experiences and biases. The poem begins:

We see – Comparatively –

The Thing –

“That no Sufficient” be –

To We –

Dickinson is saying that we can only see things in comparison to other things. We can't truly understand something on its own, without any context or comparison. And even then, our ability to understand is limited by our own subjective experiences. The "Thing" in this stanza is left undefined, which adds to the poem's overall sense of ambiguity and the unknowable nature of reality.

The next stanza continues this theme of limited perception:

'Tis not with Tongue we can taste –

The Anchor's weigh –

Nor hear by Ear, the sight of March –

Nor see, within the shut Eye,

The Star – the Dart –

Nor taste, perceive the Liquor, that

Doth steal the Wits away –

Dickinson uses a series of sensory metaphors to illustrate how our understanding of the world is limited by our own physical senses. We can't taste weight, hear sight, or see things with our eyes closed. These lines are also a commentary on the limitations of language. No matter how eloquent our words are, they can't fully capture the depth and complexity of our experiences.

The final stanza brings the poem's themes together:

'Tis Habits – Not He –

That regulate the Hand –

Nor He – the Feet –

We – Heel – and Toe –

Depend on that – Sustained –

Atmosphere – we know –

Created first – by Thing –

Second – by ourselves –

Third – by Circumstance –

Dickinson argues that our habits and circumstances shape our understanding of the world more than anything else. We rely on our own experiences and the collective experiences of those around us to create an "Atmosphere" of understanding. But this atmosphere is always shifting and changing, just like our own understanding of the world. We can never fully understand anything, but we can come close by understanding our own limitations.

Structure

One of the most striking things about "We see-Comparatively" is its unconventional structure. The poem consists of three quatrains, each with an ABCC rhyme scheme. The first and third lines of each stanza are written in iambic trimeter, while the second and fourth lines are written in iambic tetrameter. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is typical of Dickinson's style.

But beyond the technical aspects of the poem's structure, there is also a sense of ambiguity and openness that is characteristic of Dickinson's writing. The lack of punctuation in the first line of each stanza, for example, leaves the meaning of the poem somewhat open to interpretation. The final stanza, with its abrupt shift in tone and subject matter, adds to the overall sense of unpredictability and complexity.

Language

Finally, we come to the language of "We see-Comparatively". Dickinson's use of metaphor and simile is particularly effective in this poem. The sensory metaphors in the second stanza, for example, create a vivid and memorable image of the limitations of human understanding. The final stanza's use of "Atmosphere" as a metaphor for our collective understanding of the world is also particularly effective.

Dickinson's use of language is also notable for its economy and simplicity. Unlike some poets who rely on flowery language and complex syntax, Dickinson's writing is often spare and understated. This allows her to convey complex ideas and emotions with a minimum of fuss, and is one of the reasons why her poetry continues to resonate with readers today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "We see-Comparatively" is a masterpiece of understated emotion and complex ideas. Dickinson's exploration of the limitations of human understanding is both timely and timeless, and her use of metaphor and language is particularly effective. The poem's unconventional structure adds to its overall sense of unpredictability and complexity, and the poem's ambiguity leaves the meaning open to interpretation. But ultimately, this is a poem about the human experience, and it is this universality that continues to make it relevant to readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it continues to captivate and inspire people to this day. One of the most renowned poets of all time is Emily Dickinson, and her poem "We see-Comparatively" is a masterpiece that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple observation of the world around us. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Dickinson is making a profound statement about the nature of perception and the limitations of human understanding.

The poem begins with the line "We see – Comparatively," which immediately sets the tone for what is to come. Dickinson is acknowledging that our perception of the world is relative to our own experiences and perspectives. What we see is not necessarily what others see, and our understanding of the world is limited by our own biases and preconceptions.

The second line of the poem, "The Sun – Afford no Cause," is a reference to the fact that the sun does not discriminate in its light. It shines equally on all things, regardless of their worth or value. This is a powerful metaphor for the idea that all things in the world are equal, and it is only our perception of them that creates distinctions and hierarchies.

The third line of the poem, "The East – Her Purple Troth," is a reference to the sunrise, which is often associated with new beginnings and hope. Dickinson is suggesting that our perception of the world is influenced by our emotions and our desires. We see things in a certain way because of how we feel about them, not because of any inherent qualities they possess.

The fourth line of the poem, "Till, worn and thrown away," is a reference to the fact that all things in the world are temporary. Nothing lasts forever, and everything eventually wears out and is discarded. This is a reminder that our perception of the world is limited by our own mortality. We can only see and understand a small part of the world before we are gone.

The fifth line of the poem, "The Sun – repeats his Shire," is a reference to the fact that the sun rises and sets every day, without fail. This is a reminder that the world is cyclical and that everything in it is connected. Our perception of the world is limited by our own understanding of these connections, but they exist nonetheless.

The final line of the poem, "So, Dealer, for yourself," is a reference to the fact that we are all responsible for our own perceptions of the world. We cannot rely on others to tell us what to see or how to understand the world. We must take responsibility for our own perceptions and strive to see the world as it truly is, without the limitations of our own biases and preconceptions.

In conclusion, "We see-Comparatively" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to think about the nature of perception and the limitations of human understanding. Emily Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and her message is as relevant today as it was when she wrote it over a century ago. We must all strive to see the world as it truly is, without the limitations of our own biases and preconceptions, and this poem is a reminder of that fact.

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