'The Province of the Saved' by Emily Dickinson

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The Province of the Saved
Should be the Art-To save-
Through Skill obtained in Themselves-
The Science of the GraveNo Man can understand
But He that hath endured
The Dissolution-in Himself-
That Man-be qualifiedTo qualify Despair
To Those who failing new-
Mistake Defeat for Death-Each time-
Till acclimated-to-

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Province of the Saved: A Critical Analysis

Emily Dickinson’s poem “The Province of the Saved” is a meditation on the mysterious nature of salvation, and the human desire to know who is saved and who is not. Through her use of vivid imagery and paradoxical language, the poet invites us to explore the boundaries of faith and the complexities of the human soul. In this critical analysis, we will delve deeper into the themes of the poem, analyze its form and structure, and provide a close reading of its most significant lines.

Themes

The central theme of “The Province of the Saved” is the question of salvation: who is saved, and what does it mean to be saved? In the Christian tradition, salvation is linked to faith in Jesus Christ and the acceptance of his teachings. But for Dickinson, salvation is more than a matter of religious doctrine; it is a state of being that transcends human understanding. She writes:

Of Heaven above the firmest proof We fundamental know— Except for its marauding Hand, It had been Heaven below.

These lines suggest that heaven is both a tangible reality and a mysterious force that operates beyond human control. Dickinson implies that if it were not for the “marauding Hand” of God, which disrupts the natural order of things, heaven would be accessible to us on earth. This paradoxical idea challenges the traditional concept of salvation as a reward for good behavior or a guarantee of eternal life. To Dickinson, salvation is something that cannot be earned or predicted; it is a gift that is bestowed by a higher power.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the contrast between the saved and the unsaved. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the two groups: the saved are likened to “Children” who are “gathered home” to a “frosty Father” who “drives them up to bed,” while the unsaved are depicted as “stragglers” who are left behind. These images suggest a clear division between the righteous and the unrighteous, but they also imply that the boundary between the two is not fixed or immutable. The saved are portrayed as vulnerable and dependent on the mercy of God, while the unsaved are portrayed as lost and wandering, but still within reach of salvation.

Form and Structure

“The Province of the Saved” is a lyric poem consisting of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a strict AABB rhyme scheme, with each stanza consisting of two couplets. This formal structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, but it also underscores the theme of division and separation that runs throughout the poem. The repeated rhyme scheme creates a musical quality that reinforces the idea of salvation as a harmonious state of being.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, paradox, and personification. The metaphor of the “Province of the Saved” suggests a geographic location that is distinct from the rest of the world, but it also implies a sense of community and belonging. The paradoxical phrase “Heaven below” challenges our assumptions about the nature of heaven and suggests that it is not a distant or abstract concept, but something that is present in our lives. Finally, the personification of God as a “frosty Father” who “drives” his children to bed creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity, but also reinforces the idea of God as a powerful and authoritative figure.

Close Reading

Let us now take a closer look at some of the most significant lines of the poem:

Of Heaven above the firmest proof We fundamental know—

These lines suggest that heaven is a tangible reality that can be proven through experience, but it also implies that our knowledge of heaven is limited and incomplete. The word “fundamental” suggests that our understanding of heaven is based on a fundamental belief or assumption, rather than empirical evidence.

Except for its marauding Hand, It had been Heaven below.

The phrase “marauding Hand” suggests a force that disrupts the natural order of things, but it also implies a sense of power and agency. The idea that heaven could exist on earth if not for this disruptive force challenges our assumptions about the nature of heaven and suggests that it is a more complex concept than we may realize.

Stragglers from the Ark Electronic devils—food— These present men— Willard's—of the Wood—

These lines suggest that there are those who are excluded from the province of the saved, but it also implies that there is a possibility of redemption for those who are lost. The use of the word “stragglers” suggests a sense of hopelessness or despair, but the reference to “Willard's—of the Wood” creates a sense of place and context that suggests the possibility of a path to salvation.

Conclusion

In “The Province of the Saved,” Emily Dickinson invites us to explore the boundaries of faith and the complexities of the human soul. Through her use of vivid imagery and paradoxical language, she challenges our assumptions about the nature of heaven and the criteria for salvation. The poem suggests that salvation is a gift that is bestowed by a higher power, but it also implies that there is a possibility of redemption for those who are lost. Dickinson reminds us that the boundary between the saved and the unsaved is not fixed or immutable, and that the province of the saved is a place of both mystery and possibility.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Province of the Saved: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, wrote a plethora of poems that continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among her many works, one that stands out is "The Province of the Saved." This poem is a masterpiece that explores the concept of salvation and the afterlife in a unique and thought-provoking way. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and analyze its various themes and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "Ah, little thought we for the capacity that we builded in the heart!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the human condition and our innate desire for salvation. The speaker of the poem is contemplating the afterlife and the possibility of being saved. The use of the word "little" in the first line suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of human understanding when it comes to matters of the divine.

The second line of the poem reads, "We drew a circle and shut out God." This line is a powerful indictment of human arrogance and our tendency to believe that we can control our own destiny. The circle that the speaker refers to is a metaphor for the boundaries that we create for ourselves, which prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life and the divine. By shutting out God, we limit our capacity for growth and enlightenment.

The third line of the poem reads, "But love was wider than our pride." This line is a turning point in the poem, as it suggests that there is hope for redemption and salvation. Love, which is often associated with God, is portrayed as being more expansive than human pride. This line suggests that even though we may shut out God, love has the power to break down our barriers and lead us to salvation.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Sheer love, that will not let us go." This line is a continuation of the theme of love and its power to save us. The use of the word "sheer" suggests that love is pure and unadulterated, and that it has the power to overcome any obstacle. The phrase "will not let us go" suggests that love is persistent and unrelenting, and that it will continue to pursue us even when we try to shut it out.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "And were it darker, none would know." This line is a reference to the darkness of the afterlife, which is often portrayed as a place of uncertainty and fear. The use of the word "none" suggests that even in the darkest of times, love will still be present and will guide us to salvation. This line is a reminder that even when we feel lost and alone, we are never truly alone, as love is always with us.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Save save that we encountered Him." This line is a reference to the moment of salvation, when we encounter God and are saved from our sins. The repetition of the word "save" emphasizes the importance of this moment and suggests that it is the only thing that truly matters in the grand scheme of things.

The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "With but a stretcher and a smile, / And then the pallet on the floor." This line is a reference to the moment of death, when we are carried away on a stretcher and laid on a pallet on the floor. The use of the word "smile" suggests that even in death, there is hope and joy, as we are finally reunited with God and saved from our sins.

Overall, "The Province of the Saved" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of salvation and the afterlife in a unique and compelling way. The poem is full of rich imagery and literary devices, such as metaphors and repetition, which add depth and complexity to the poem. The themes of love, redemption, and the human condition are explored in a way that is both profound and accessible, making this poem a true masterpiece of poetry.

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