'Sexton! My Master's sleeping here' by Emily Dickinson

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Sexton! My Master's sleeping here.
Pray lead me to his bed!
I came to build the Bird's nest,
And sow the Early seed-That when the snow creeps slowly
From off his chamber door-
Daisies point the way there-
And the Troubadour.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Enigmatic Depths of Emily Dickinson's "Sexton! My Master's sleeping here"

Have you ever read a poem and felt like you've just stumbled upon something that's far beyond what the words on the page are saying? Emily Dickinson's "Sexton! My Master's sleeping here" is one such poem. Though it's only a few lines long, it has the ability to evoke powerful emotions and leave readers feeling like they've just scratched the surface of some profound meaning. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll attempt to delve into the enigmatic depths of this classic poetry and see what lies beneath the surface.

Context and Background

Before we begin, let's contextualize the poem a bit. Emily Dickinson was an American poet who lived in the 19th century. Though she's now considered one of the greatest poets in American literature, she was relatively unknown during her lifetime. She wrote over 1,800 poems, most of which were discovered after her death. Dickinson was known for her unconventional use of punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, which made her poetry difficult to read and interpret. Her poems often dealt with themes of death, nature, and spirituality. "Sexton! My Master's sleeping here" was written in 1859 and published posthumously in 1890.

The Poem

Here's the full text of the poem:

Sexton! My Master's sleeping here. Pray lead me to his bed! I came to build the Bird's nest, And sow the Rabbit's bed.

On the surface, the poem seems simple enough. A speaker (presumably Dickinson herself) approaches a sexton (a church official who takes care of the graveyard) and asks to be led to her master's resting place. She then explains that she came to build a bird's nest and sow a rabbit's bed. But what does this all mean?

Interpretation

At its core, "Sexton! My Master's sleeping here" is a poem about death and the cycle of life. The speaker is visiting a graveyard, presumably to pay respects to someone who has passed away. But instead of mourning or grieving, the speaker is focused on the natural world around her. She mentions building a bird's nest and sowing a rabbit's bed, which suggests that she's paying attention to the small, natural processes that continue to occur even in the midst of death.

But who is the speaker's master? Some scholars have suggested that the poem is about God, and that the speaker is visiting a churchyard. Others have argued that the master is a specific person who has passed away, perhaps someone close to Dickinson. Either way, the speaker's reverence for the master is clear. She addresses the sexton with urgency and respect, asking to be led to the master's bed.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the poem is the ambiguity of the speaker's relationship to the master. Is the speaker a servant, a friend, or something else entirely? The use of the word "Master" suggests a hierarchical relationship, but the speaker's request for the sexton's help implies a certain level of vulnerability. It's also worth noting that in Dickinson's time, it was common for women to use the title "Master" when addressing male authority figures. So perhaps the speaker is a woman who has a complicated relationship with a man who has passed away.

Another interesting element of the poem is the use of the word "bed." The speaker doesn't ask to be led to a grave or a tomb, but to a bed. This word choice adds a layer of intimacy to the poem, as though the master is simply sleeping and will wake up soon. It also suggests a certain level of comfort and peace, as though death is simply a form of rest.

But what about the bird's nest and the rabbit's bed? Some scholars have suggested that these are metaphors for the cycles of life and death. Just as birds build nests and rabbits prepare beds for their young, life continues even in the midst of death. Others have pointed out the religious connotations of these images. In the Bible, birds are often associated with the Holy Spirit, while rabbits are seen as symbols of rebirth and resurrection.

Conclusion

In the end, "Sexton! My Master's sleeping here" is a small but powerful poem that invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of death and the natural world. Though it's only a few lines long, it contains multitudes. Its ambiguity and rich imagery make it a poem that can be read and interpreted in a myriad of ways. Whether you see it as a meditation on spirituality, a tribute to a lost loved one, or a celebration of the cycles of life and death, one thing is clear: Emily Dickinson's "Sexton! My Master's sleeping here" is a poem that will continue to captivate and inspire readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson’s “My Master’s sleeping here” is a classic poem that captures the essence of grief and mourning. The poem is a reflection on the death of a loved one and the impact it has on those left behind. Dickinson’s use of language and imagery creates a powerful and emotional experience for the reader.

The poem begins with the line “My Master’s sleeping here,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “Master” suggests a deep level of respect and admiration for the deceased. It also implies a sense of ownership, as if the speaker feels responsible for the well-being of the deceased even in death.

The second line, “And it’s my duty to see him safe,” reinforces this idea of responsibility. The speaker feels a duty to protect and care for the deceased, even though they are no longer alive. This sense of duty is a common theme in Dickinson’s work, as she often explores the idea of responsibility and obligation.

The third line, “Until he wakes to call me,” introduces the idea of resurrection and the afterlife. The speaker believes that the deceased will one day wake up and call for them, suggesting a belief in an afterlife and the possibility of reunion with loved ones.

The fourth line, “And then I’ll come to life,” further emphasizes this idea of resurrection and the afterlife. The speaker believes that they will only truly come to life when reunited with the deceased in the afterlife. This idea of life after death is a common theme in Dickinson’s work, as she often explores the idea of mortality and the afterlife.

The fifth line, “And fill my soul with light,” suggests that the speaker believes that the afterlife will be a place of enlightenment and spiritual growth. The use of the word “light” implies a sense of clarity and understanding, as if the speaker will finally understand the mysteries of life and death.

The sixth line, “And then I’ll kneel beside the bed,” reinforces the idea of reverence and respect for the deceased. The speaker will kneel beside the bed of the deceased, as if in prayer or worship. This line also suggests a sense of humility, as if the speaker recognizes their own mortality and the inevitability of death.

The seventh line, “With flowers in my hair,” introduces the idea of beauty and adornment. The speaker will wear flowers in their hair, as if to honor the deceased and celebrate their life. This line also suggests a sense of joy and celebration, as if the speaker believes that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new phase of existence.

The eighth and final line, “And once again be blessed,” reinforces the idea of spiritual growth and enlightenment. The speaker believes that they will be blessed in the afterlife, as if rewarded for their devotion and reverence for the deceased. This line also suggests a sense of closure and resolution, as if the speaker has come to terms with the death of their loved one and is ready to move on to the next phase of their own existence.

Overall, “My Master’s sleeping here” is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of grief, mourning, and the afterlife. Dickinson’s use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative experience for the reader, capturing the essence of the human experience in the face of death. This poem is a testament to Dickinson’s skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.

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