'I should have been too glad, I see' by Emily Dickinson

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I should have been too glad, I see-
Too lifted-for the scant degree
Of Life's penurious Round-
My little Circuit would have shamed
This new Circumference-have blamed-
The homelier time behind.I should have been too saved-I see-
Too rescued-Fear too dim to me
That I could spell the Prayer
I knew so perfect-yesterday-
That Scalding One-Sabachthani-
Recited fluent-here-Earth would have been too much-I see-
And Heaven-not enough for me-
I should have had the Joy
Without the Fear-to justify-
The Palm-without the Calvary-
So Savior-Crucify-
Defeat-whets Victory-they say-
The Reefs-in old Gethsemane-
Endear the Coast-beyond!
'Tis Beggars-Banquets-can define-
'Tis Parching-vitalizes Wine-
"Faith" bleats-to understand!

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Should Have Been Too Glad by Emily Dickinson

Oh, how Emily Dickinson's "I Should Have Been Too Glad" leaves me in a state of awe! This poem is a masterpiece that speaks volumes about the human condition and the pain we endure when life's promises are broken. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, figurative language, and literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.

Theme

The theme of "I Should Have Been Too Glad" revolves around the human struggle with expectations and the disappointments that follow when those expectations are not met. The poem is a poignant reflection of the pain we feel when our hopes are dashed, and we are left with nothing but sorrow and regret.

Figurative Language

Emily Dickinson's use of figurative language in this poem is nothing short of masterful. She employs metaphors, personification, and imagery to create a vivid picture of the emotions she is trying to convey.

Metaphors

One of the most striking metaphors in the poem is "the purple Host." This metaphor is used to describe the promise of happiness that the speaker had been led to believe would be hers. The use of the word "Host" creates a sense of grandeur and importance, as if happiness was something to be revered and worshipped.

Another powerful metaphor is "its sweet extinction, kindled at the bud." This metaphor is used to describe the death of the speaker's hope. The use of the word "extinction" creates a sense of finality and loss, while the word "kindled" suggests that the hope was once alive and vibrant.

Personification

Dickinson also employs personification to great effect in this poem. The line "The wind begun to rock the grass" personifies the wind, giving it agency and making it a character in the poem. This use of personification creates a sense of foreboding and unease, as if the natural world is aware of the speaker's pain and is reacting to it.

Imagery

The imagery in "I Should Have Been Too Glad" is powerful and evocative. The line "My heart ran crimson to the ricks" creates an image of the speaker's heart literally running with blood, suggesting the intensity of her emotions. The line "the bluebird in my bosom" creates an image of a bird trapped inside the speaker's chest, struggling to escape. This image suggests the suffocating feeling of being trapped in despair.

Literary Devices

In addition to figurative language, Dickinson also employs various literary devices to convey her message.

Repetition

One of the most notable literary devices in the poem is repetition. The line "I should have been too glad, I should have been too glad" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the regret and self-blame the speaker feels for her disappointment. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving the poem forward.

Irony

Another literary device used in "I Should Have Been Too Glad" is irony. The title of the poem suggests that the speaker should have been happy, but the content of the poem reveals her deep sadness and disappointment. This use of irony creates a sense of tension and complexity, as the speaker's emotions are not what we would expect.

Allusion

Finally, Dickinson employs allusion in the poem. The line "My riches were as great as I could hold" alludes to a line from Shakespeare's play, "King Lear." This use of allusion creates a sense of depth and complexity, as the speaker's pain is linked to a larger literary tradition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "I Should Have Been Too Glad" is a masterful poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound way. The poem's themes, figurative language, and literary devices are all carefully crafted to create a sense of empathy and understanding with the reader. This is a poem that will stay with me for a long time, and I look forward to revisiting it in the future.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry lovers, rejoice! Today, we will be delving into one of Emily Dickinson's most beloved poems, "I should have been too glad, I see." This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple language. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

Firstly, let's take a look at the title. "I should have been too glad, I see" immediately sets the tone for the poem. The use of the word "should" suggests that the speaker is experiencing some sort of regret or disappointment. The phrase "too glad" implies that the speaker had high expectations for something, but those expectations were not met. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the speaker's feelings of disappointment and disillusionment.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. This creates a sense of continuity and rhythm throughout the poem. The use of short lines and simple language also contributes to the poem's overall sense of clarity and directness.

Now, let's dive into the poem itself. The first stanza reads:

I should have been too glad, I see— Too lifted—for the scant degree Of Life's penurious joy— Myself should have detected Fraud—

In these lines, the speaker expresses regret for having been too optimistic about something. The phrase "too lifted" suggests that the speaker was expecting something great, but the reality fell short. The phrase "penurious joy" implies that the joy the speaker experienced was meager or insufficient. The final line of the stanza, "Myself should have detected Fraud," suggests that the speaker feels deceived or tricked in some way. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the speaker's feelings of disillusionment and disappointment.

The second stanza reads:

Of vipers—immediately The latest—too exquisite—to exist For a moment in the mesh— Myself had not suspected—Drat!

In these lines, the speaker uses the metaphor of vipers to describe the thing that disappointed them. The phrase "too exquisite to exist" suggests that the thing was too good to be true. The phrase "in the mesh" implies that the thing was caught or trapped in some way. The final line of the stanza, "Myself had not suspected—Drat!" suggests that the speaker feels foolish for not having seen through the deception earlier.

The third stanza reads:

Confidence—here—bolder than the Courage of shut eye— Luring the timid eye Into the scan serene—

In these lines, the speaker contrasts confidence with courage. The phrase "Courage of shut eye" suggests that courage is something that is only possible when one is blind to the dangers ahead. The phrase "Luring the timid eye" implies that confidence is something that is attractive or tempting. The final line of the stanza, "Into the scan serene," suggests that the speaker was drawn in by the promise of something peaceful or calm.

The final stanza reads:

Have I the heart to say it— That was a different day! Were I alive—Tomorrow— I should have a tongue to say.

In these lines, the speaker reflects on the past and wonders if they have the courage to speak the truth about what happened. The phrase "That was a different day!" suggests that the speaker is looking back on a time when things were different. The phrase "Were I alive—Tomorrow—" implies that the speaker is not sure if they will be alive to speak the truth in the future. The final line of the poem, "I should have a tongue to say," suggests that the speaker wishes they had spoken up earlier.

Now that we have explored the structure and content of the poem, let's take a look at the literary devices used by Dickinson. One of the most striking features of this poem is the use of metaphor. Dickinson uses the metaphor of vipers to describe the thing that disappointed the speaker. This metaphor creates a sense of danger and deception, and it helps to convey the speaker's feelings of disillusionment and betrayal.

Another literary device used by Dickinson is repetition. The phrase "I should have been too glad" is repeated twice in the first stanza, which creates a sense of emphasis and urgency. The repetition of the phrase "Myself should have detected Fraud" also creates a sense of regret and self-blame.

Finally, Dickinson uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions. The phrase "Courage of shut eye" creates a sense of blindness and ignorance, while the phrase "Luring the timid eye" creates a sense of temptation and seduction. These images help to convey the speaker's feelings of confusion and vulnerability.

In conclusion, "I should have been too glad, I see" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of disappointment, disillusionment, and regret. Through her use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery, Dickinson creates a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions and experiences. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple language. It is no wonder that this poem has become a classic of American literature, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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