'I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs' by Emily Dickinson
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I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs-
The name They dropped upon my face
With water, in the country church
Is finished using, now,
And They can put it with my Dolls,
My childhood, and the string of spools,
I've finished threading-too-Baptized, before, without the choice,
But this time, consciously, of Grace-
Unto supremest name-
Called to my Full-The Crescent dropped-
Existence's whole Arc, filled up,
With one small Diadem.My second Rank-too small the first-
Crowned-Crowing-on my Father's breast-
A half unconscious Queen-
But this time-Adequate-Erect,
With Will to choose, or to reject,
And I choose, just a Crown-
Editor 1 Interpretation
I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in the history of American literature. Her contributions to the genre of poetry are considered revolutionary, as she experimented with various forms and structures that went beyond the conventional norms of her time. One of her most famous poems is "I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs," which is a thought-provoking piece that provides insights into Dickinson's perspective on selfhood, identity, and agency. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive deep into the poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to understand its meaning and significance.
Background and Context
Before we analyze the poem, it's crucial to understand its context and background. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830 and lived a reclusive life. She spent most of her time writing poetry, and it's believed that she wrote over 1800 poems, most of which were published after her death. Dickinson's writing style was unconventional, as she used slant rhyme, unconventional punctuation, and capitalization. Her poems often explored themes of death, love, nature, and spirituality.
"I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is one of the poems that Dickinson wrote during her later years, and it's believed that she wrote it in the mid-1860s. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, using unconventional punctuation and capitalization. It's a short poem, consisting of only eight lines, but its brevity doesn't take away from its depth and complexity. The poem's title is a line from the poem itself, and it's believed that Dickinson came up with the title after completing the poem.
Poem Analysis
Structure
"I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is structured in two stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem has a regular rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyming with each other. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem, with the "AABB" pattern maintained in both stanzas.
Language and Vocabulary
The language used in the poem is simple, but its simplicity is deceptive. Dickinson uses words and phrases that carry a lot of weight, and their significance becomes apparent upon closer examination. For example, the word "ceded" in the poem's title carries a lot of meaning. To cede something means to give up or surrender something, and its use in the title suggests that the poem is about giving up one's identity or agency. The word "theirs" in the title is also significant, as it suggests that someone else has ownership or control over the speaker's identity.
The poem's first line, "I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The line is a statement of agency and ownership, with the speaker declaring that they have stopped being someone else's property. The use of the word "I'm" is significant, as it emphasizes the speaker's agency and individuality. The second line, "The name They dropped upon my face," is an allusion to the naming ceremony that takes place when a child is born. The use of the word "They" suggests that someone else has given the speaker their name, and it's not a name that the speaker has chosen for themselves. The third line, "With water, in the country church," reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the naming ceremony was a religious one, and the speaker had no say in the matter.
The fourth line of the first stanza, "Swinging slow on one heel," is an image that conjures up a sense of unease and discomfort. The use of the word "swinging" suggests movement, but the slow pace and the emphasis on one heel suggest that the speaker is off-balance and unstable. The image is indicative of the speaker's sense of being unsettled and uncertain about their identity and agency.
The second stanza of the poem starts with the line, "I'm sorry for the Dead." The line is a juxtaposition of the first stanza, which is focused on the speaker's agency and individuality. The use of the word "sorry" suggests that the speaker feels empathy and compassion for the Dead, who are unable to speak for themselves. The line also suggests that the speaker has a heightened sense of awareness of their own mortality and the inevitability of death.
The second line of the second stanza, "Not least for Creatures that were once alive," expands on the idea of empathy and compassion. The use of the word "Creatures" suggests that the speaker sees all living beings as equals, regardless of their species. The line also suggests that the speaker is aware of the fragility of life and the importance of respecting all living beings.
The third line of the second stanza, "But men and women too," emphasizes the speaker's belief in the equality of all beings, regardless of gender. The line suggests that the speaker sees men and women as equals, and their gender does not determine their worth or value.
The final line of the poem, "And 'yet'-'respectful'-'that'-'We've'-'ceased'-'to'-'die'," is a conclusion that ties together the themes of agency, empathy, and mortality. The use of the word "yet" suggests that the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death and the limitations of agency, but they still assert their agency and individuality. The use of the word "respectful" suggests that the speaker has a reverence for life and acknowledges the importance of empathy and compassion.
Interpretation
"I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is a poem that explores themes of agency, identity, mortality, and empathy. The poem can be interpreted in several ways, but at its core, it's a statement of individuality and a call for empathy and compassion.
The first stanza of the poem is focused on the speaker's agency and individuality. The use of the word "ceded" suggests that the speaker has reclaimed their agency and identity, and they are no longer under someone else's control. The image of the speaker swinging slow on one heel suggests that they are off-balance and uncertain, but they are still asserting their individuality. The image is indicative of the struggle that comes with asserting one's agency and identity.
The second stanza of the poem is focused on empathy and compassion. The use of the word "sorry" suggests that the speaker feels empathy for the Dead and all living beings. The line "Not least for Creatures that were once alive" suggests that the speaker sees all living beings as equals, regardless of their species. The line "But men and women too" further emphasizes the speaker's belief in the equality of all beings. The final line of the poem ties together the themes of agency, empathy, and mortality, suggesting that while agency and identity are important, empathy and compassion are just as crucial.
"I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of struggling with identity, agency, and mortality. The poem's significance lies in its message of asserting individuality while acknowledging the importance of empathy and compassion. The poem is a call for empathy and compassion, a reminder that we are all equal, and our mortality is the one thing that unites us all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is a thought-provoking poem that explores themes of agency, identity, mortality, and empathy. The poem's structure, language, and vocabulary all contribute to its depth and complexity. The poem's message of asserting individuality while acknowledging the importance of empathy and compassion is a reminder of our shared humanity. Emily Dickinson's contribution to the genre of poetry is significant, and "I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is one of the many poems that showcase her unique style and perspective.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
"I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs": An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep philosophical themes. One of her most famous poems is "I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs," which was written in 1862. This poem is a powerful statement of independence and self-determination, and it has been interpreted in many different ways over the years. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a look at the poem itself:
I'm ceded - I've stopped being Theirs -
The name They dropped upon my face
With water, in the country church
Is finished using, now,
And They can put it with my Dolls,
My childhood, and the string of spools,
I've finished threading - too -
Baptized, before, without the choice,
But this time, consciously, of Grace -
Unto supremest name -
Called to my Full - The Crescent dropped -
Existence's whole Arc, filled up,
With one small Diadem.
My second Rank - too small the first -
Crowned - Crowing - on my Father's breast -
A half unconscious Queen -
But this time - Adequate - Erect,
With Will to choose, or to reject,
And I choose, just a Crown -
At first glance, this poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, with a closer reading and some context, we can begin to unravel its meaning.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she has "ceded" or given up her identity as belonging to someone else. The "They" in the poem refers to society or the people who have tried to define the speaker's identity. The name that was "dropped upon [her] face" represents the label or identity that society has given her. This could be her gender, social class, or any other characteristic that people use to define others. The speaker is saying that she has rejected this label and is no longer "Theirs."
The next few lines describe the speaker's baptism, which was done "without the choice." This could be a reference to the speaker's upbringing in a religious household, where she was baptized as a child without fully understanding the implications. However, this time the speaker is being baptized "consciously, of Grace," which suggests a more deliberate and personal decision. The speaker is choosing to be baptized into a "supremest name," which could be a reference to God or a higher power.
The line "Unto supremest name" is followed by a dash, which is a common punctuation mark in Dickinson's poetry. The dash creates a pause or interruption in the flow of the poem, which can be interpreted in different ways. In this case, the interruption could represent a moment of reflection or hesitation on the part of the speaker. She is making a conscious decision to be baptized, but she is also aware of the weight and significance of this decision.
The next few lines describe the speaker's new identity as a baptized person. She is now "called to [her] Full," which suggests a sense of completeness or wholeness. The "Crescent dropped" could be a reference to the moon, which is often associated with femininity and cycles of change. The speaker's existence is now "filled up" with a "small Diadem," which is a crown or symbol of royalty. This could be interpreted as the speaker's newfound sense of power and authority over her own life.
The next few lines describe the speaker's position in relation to others. She is now "Crowned" and "Crowing" on her "Father's breast," which suggests a sense of pride and confidence. However, the speaker also acknowledges that she is only in her "second Rank," and that her first rank was "too small." This could be a reference to the limitations that society has placed on her, or the ways in which she has been held back by others. However, the speaker is now "Adequate" and "Erect," with the "Will to choose, or to reject." She is no longer bound by the expectations of others, and she is free to make her own choices.
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most powerful: "And I choose, just a Crown." This line represents the speaker's ultimate act of self-determination. She is choosing to define herself on her own terms, and to claim her own power and authority. The "Crown" represents her own sense of worth and value, and her refusal to be defined by anyone else.
Significance
"I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is a powerful statement of independence and self-determination. It represents the struggle that many people face in trying to define themselves on their own terms, rather than being defined by others. The poem is also a commentary on the limitations that society places on individuals, particularly women. Dickinson was writing in a time when women had very little agency or power, and this poem can be seen as a feminist statement of defiance.
The poem is also significant for its use of language and punctuation. Dickinson's unconventional style, with its dashes and capitalization, creates a sense of fragmentation and interruption. This style reflects the speaker's own sense of disconnection from society, and her struggle to define herself in a world that is constantly trying to define her.
Overall, "I'm ceded-I've stopped being Theirs" is a powerful and timeless poem that speaks to the human experience of self-determination and independence. Its themes of agency, power, and identity are as relevant today as they were when Dickinson wrote the poem over 150 years ago.
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