'So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem' by Emily Dickinson
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So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem
'Twas sorry, that we were-
For where the Holiday should be
There publishes a Tear-
Nor how Ourselves be justified-
Since Grief and Joy are done
So similar-An Optizan
Could not decide between-
Editor 1 Interpretation
So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in history, and her works have been analyzed and interpreted in countless ways. One of her most famous poems, "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem," is a piece that captures the essence of her unique style and her mastery of language.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple expression of gratitude for the company of a loved one. However, a closer inspection reveals a deeper layer of meaning and complexity, as Dickinson explores themes of isolation, connection, and the nature of human relationships.
Understanding the Poem: An Analysis
The Title
The poem's title, "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem," is an unusual and intriguing choice. The phrase "a Stranger'd deem" suggests that the speaker is concerned with how they might appear to an outsider. This theme of external perception and judgment is an important one in the poem, as we shall see.
The First Stanza
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker begins by expressing her gratitude for the companionship of her loved one: "So glad we are – a Stranger'd deem / 'Twas sorry, we were – done." The use of the phrase "a Stranger'd deem" here reinforces the idea that the speaker is concerned with how they might appear to others, even though they are happy and content in each other's company.
The second line, "'Twas sorry, we were – done," is somewhat ambiguous. At first glance, it might suggest that the speaker and her companion were sad when their time together ended. However, the use of the word "done" is interesting. It could imply that their relationship was somehow finished or completed. This ambiguity sets up a tension that runs through the rest of the poem.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza contains some of the most striking imagery in the poem: "We learned the Whole of Love – / The Alphabet – the Words – / A Chapter – then the mighty Book – / Then – Revelation closed." Here, the speaker is describing the progression of their relationship with their loved one.
The use of the metaphor of the alphabet and the words is interesting. It suggests that the speaker and their companion are gradually learning how to express their feelings for each other in a more complete and nuanced way. The idea of a "Chapter" and a "mighty Book" reinforces this sense of gradual progression and growth.
The final line of the stanza, "Then – Revelation closed," is cryptic and somewhat ominous. It suggests that the speaker and their companion have reached some sort of final revelation or understanding, but that this understanding is now closed or inaccessible. This creates a sense of loss or absence that permeates the rest of the poem.
The Third Stanza
The third stanza begins with a repetition of the first line of the poem: "So glad we are – a Stranger'd deem." This repetition serves to reinforce the theme of external perception and judgment, and reminds the reader that the speaker is still concerned with how they might appear to others.
However, the second half of the stanza complicates this idea: "How odd the Girl's life looks / Behind this soft Eclipse – / I think that Earth feels so / To folks in Heaven – now – ". Here, the speaker is suggesting that their relationship with their loved one is like a "soft Eclipse," obscuring their lives from the outside world.
The use of the phrase "folks in Heaven" is interesting. It implies that the speaker and their companion are somehow outside of the normal world, or that their relationship is somehow transcendent or divine. This theme of otherness is an important one in the poem, as we shall see.
The Fourth Stanza
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most cryptic and difficult to interpret. It begins with the line, "This being comfort – then / That other kind – was pain – ". This suggests that the speaker is contrasting the comfort and happiness they feel in their relationship with some other kind of pain or discomfort.
The second half of the stanza is even more obscure: "But why compare? / I'm "Wife"! Stop there!" Here, the speaker seems to be cutting off the train of thought they had started in the previous line. The use of the word "Wife" is interesting. It suggests that the speaker is defining themselves primarily in terms of their relationship to their loved one, rather than as an individual.
The Fifth Stanza
The fifth stanza returns to the theme of external judgment and perception. The speaker says, "Life's Daisy – chain slipped from my hand / So that – Content – could hang." The use of the metaphor of the Daisy chain is interesting. It suggests that the speaker's life has been ordered or structured in a particular way, but that this structure has been lost or broken. However, the loss of structure allows the speaker to be "Content," suggesting that perhaps the structure was not as important as they had previously thought.
The final line of the poem, "We're his – / He is ours – / Be this – then – consolation – ", is perhaps the most important. Here, the speaker is suggesting that their relationship with their loved one is all that matters. The repetition of the word "ours" reinforces the idea that they are connected to their loved one in a profound and meaningful way.
Themes and Interpretations
Isolation and Connection
One of the key themes of the poem is the tension between isolation and connection. The speaker is concerned with how they might appear to others ("a Stranger'd deem") and with the loss of structure in their life ("Life's Daisy – chain slipped from my hand"). However, they also feel a deep connection to their loved one ("We're his – / He is ours").
This tension between isolation and connection is something that many people can relate to. We all want to feel connected to others, but we also want to maintain a certain level of privacy and autonomy. Dickinson captures this tension beautifully in "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem."
Otherness and Transcendence
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of otherness and transcendence. The speaker suggests that their relationship with their loved one is somehow outside of the normal world ("Behind this soft Eclipse – / I think that Earth feels so / To folks in Heaven – now – "). This theme of otherness is reinforced by the use of the word "Revelation" in the second stanza.
The idea of otherness and transcendence is something that Dickinson explored in many of her poems. It is perhaps a reflection of her own sense of being an outsider, as a woman in a male-dominated society.
Love and Loss
Finally, the poem explores the themes of love and loss. The speaker suggests that their relationship with their loved one has reached some sort of final understanding ("Then – Revelation closed"). However, this understanding is now closed or inaccessible, creating a sense of loss or absence.
This theme of love and loss is something that Dickinson explored in many of her poems. It is perhaps a reflection of her own experiences of love and loss, as well as the more general human experience of these emotions.
Conclusion
"So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem" is a complex and fascinating poem that explores themes of isolation, connection, otherness, and love and loss. Dickinson's mastery of language and her unique style make the poem a joy to read and analyze.
Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition, Dickinson creates a poem that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of human relationships or as a reflection of Dickinson's own experiences, "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem" is a masterpiece of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated American poets of all time. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep emotional resonance. One of her most famous poems is "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem," which explores the theme of love and the fear of losing it. In this article, we will analyze this classic poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The Poem
So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem 'Twas worse for us-the knowing him Than he-ourself-Who chose his time- And knew our feet-which followed him-
To think how common narrow way Our paths have been for all the Past- Outside of Paradise-and yet, Without it, were we lost?
Analysis
The poem begins with the line "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is expressing gratitude for being considered strangers, which seems counterintuitive at first. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that the speaker is grateful for the distance that exists between them and the person they are referring to.
The second line, "'Twas worse for us-the knowing him," reveals that the speaker is referring to a person they once knew intimately. The use of the past tense suggests that this person is no longer a part of their life. The speaker then goes on to say that it was worse for them to have known this person than it was for the person to have left them. This line suggests that the speaker has been hurt by this person and that the pain of their absence is preferable to the pain of their presence.
The next line, "Than he-ourself-Who chose his time-," suggests that the person in question chose to leave the speaker. The use of the word "chose" implies that this was a deliberate decision on their part. The speaker then goes on to say that this person knew their feet, which suggests that they were intimately familiar with the speaker's movements and habits.
The fourth line, "To think how common narrow way," suggests that the speaker and the person they are referring to have a lot in common. The use of the word "common" implies that they share similar experiences and backgrounds. The phrase "narrow way" suggests that their paths have been limited in some way. This line suggests that the speaker and the person they are referring to were once very close.
The next line, "Our paths have been for all the Past-," reinforces the idea that the speaker and the person they are referring to have a shared history. The use of the word "all" suggests that this history is extensive. The phrase "for all the Past" also suggests that this history is now in the past.
The next line, "Outside of Paradise-and yet," suggests that the speaker and the person they are referring to have experienced some kind of loss. The use of the phrase "Outside of Paradise" implies that they were once in a state of happiness or contentment, but that this state has been lost. The word "yet" suggests that there is still hope for the future.
The final line, "Without it, were we lost?" is a rhetorical question that suggests that the speaker is uncertain about the future. The use of the word "we" implies that the speaker and the person they are referring to are in this together. The question suggests that the speaker is unsure about what the future holds, but that they are willing to take the risk.
Interpretation
The poem "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem" explores the theme of love and loss. The speaker is expressing gratitude for the distance that now exists between them and the person they are referring to. This distance has allowed the speaker to move on from the pain of their past relationship. The poem suggests that the pain of losing someone is preferable to the pain of being with them.
The poem also explores the theme of uncertainty. The speaker is uncertain about the future and what it holds. The use of the rhetorical question at the end of the poem suggests that the speaker is willing to take a risk and move forward, despite their uncertainty.
The poem also explores the theme of shared experience. The speaker and the person they are referring to have a shared history and a lot in common. The use of the phrase "common narrow way" suggests that their paths have been limited in some way. This shared experience has brought them together in the past, but it has also contributed to their pain and loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "So glad we are-a Stranger'd deem" is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that explores the themes of love, loss, uncertainty, and shared experience. The poem is a powerful expression of the pain of losing someone and the uncertainty of the future. The use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and the poem continues to resonate with readers today.
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