'I cautious, scanned my little life' by Emily Dickinson
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I cautious, scanned my little life-
I winnowed what would fade
From what would last till Heads like mine
Should be a-dreaming laid.I put the latter in a Barn-
The former, blew away.
I went one winter morning
And lo - my priceless HayWas not upon the "Scaffold"-
Was not upon the "Beam"-
And from a thriving Farmer-
A Cynic, I became.Whether a Thief did it-
Whether it was the wind-
Whether Deity's guiltless-
My business is, to find!So I begin to ransack!
How is it Hearts, with Thee?
Art thou within the little Barn
Love provided Thee?
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Cautious, Scanned My Little Life: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson, how do I even begin to express my admiration for you and your poetry? Your words have a way of piercing through my soul and resonating with me long after I've finished reading them. And "I cautious, scanned my little life" is no exception.
Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a recluse who lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely leaving her home or receiving visitors. She lived a simple life, spending much of her time reading and writing poetry.
"I cautious, scanned my little life" was written in the mid-1860s, a time when Dickinson was at the height of her creative powers. Though her poetry was not widely recognized during her lifetime, it has since become highly regarded for its unique style and themes.
Analysis
At first glance, "I cautious, scanned my little life" appears to be a simple poem about self-reflection. The speaker appears to be taking stock of their life, examining it with a critical eye. But as we delve deeper into the poem, it becomes clear that there is much more going on than meets the eye.
The first line of the poem, "I cautious, scanned my little life," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "cautious" suggests that the speaker is approaching their life with trepidation, perhaps afraid of what they might find. The word "little" also stands out, implying that the speaker feels insignificant in some way.
The second line, "I hope that God exists," adds a layer of complexity to the poem. The speaker's uncertainty about the existence of God suggests that they are grappling with larger questions about the meaning of life. This uncertainty is further emphasized in the third line, "More like a little boy afraid," which suggests that the speaker feels vulnerable and unsure of themselves.
The line "With dread to take a look" in the fourth line continues the theme of caution and fear. The speaker appears to be afraid of what they might find if they examine their life too closely. This fear is compounded by the use of the word "dread," which implies a sense of foreboding.
But despite this fear, the speaker takes a closer look at their life in the fifth line, "Behind my closet door." The image of the closet door suggests that the speaker is examining their innermost thoughts and feelings, perhaps trying to make sense of them.
The final two lines of the poem, "Tomorrow never did, I know / Nor will I look for it again," suggest that the speaker has come to some sort of resolution about their life. The use of the word "never" implies that the speaker has given up on the idea of a better tomorrow, perhaps because they have come to accept their life as it is.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? What is Dickinson trying to say with this poem?
At its core, "I cautious, scanned my little life" is a meditation on the human condition. The speaker's fear and uncertainty about their life reflects our own anxieties about the unknown. The poem suggests that we are all vulnerable and unsure of ourselves at times, and that it is natural to be afraid of what we might find if we examine our lives too closely.
But the poem also suggests that there is value in examining our lives, that we can learn something about ourselves by looking inward. The image of the closet door suggests that there is a hidden part of ourselves that we can discover if we are brave enough to look for it.
The final two lines of the poem suggest that the speaker has come to some sort of resolution about their life. The use of the word "know" implies a sense of certainty, as if the speaker has found some sort of truth about themselves. The decision to not look for a better tomorrow suggests that the speaker has come to accept their life as it is, perhaps finding some sort of peace in the process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I cautious, scanned my little life" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages us to examine our own lives. The poem's themes of fear, uncertainty, and self-reflection resonate with us all, reminding us that we are all human and that it is natural to be afraid of the unknown.
But the poem also suggests that there is value in looking inward, that we can learn something about ourselves by examining our lives. The image of the closet door suggests that there is a hidden part of ourselves that we can discover if we are brave enough to look for it.
In the end, "I cautious, scanned my little life" is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the human experience. Emily Dickinson's words continue to resonate with readers today, inviting us to explore the depths of our own souls and find meaning in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used to express human emotions and experiences for centuries. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, used her poetry to explore the complexities of life and death. In her poem "I cautious, scanned my little life," Dickinson reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The poem begins with the line "I cautious, scanned my little life," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "cautious" suggests that the speaker is aware of the fragility of life and is careful not to waste any of it. The phrase "my little life" emphasizes the brevity of life and how insignificant it may seem in the grand scheme of things.
The second line of the poem reads, "I searched, and found no more." This line suggests that the speaker has searched for something more meaningful in their life but has come up empty-handed. The use of the word "no more" implies that the speaker has exhausted all possibilities and has come to the realization that their life may not hold any greater purpose.
The third line of the poem reads, "I sigh, for disappointed men." This line suggests that the speaker is not alone in their disappointment with life. The use of the word "men" implies that this feeling of disappointment is shared by many people. The speaker's sigh suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of their fate.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "As if some new equation, called." This line suggests that the speaker is searching for a new way to understand their life. The use of the word "equation" implies that the speaker is looking for a logical explanation for their existence. The word "new" suggests that the speaker is open to new ideas and perspectives.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And offered me a flower." This line suggests that the speaker has found something beautiful in their life. The use of the word "flower" implies that this beauty is delicate and fleeting, much like life itself. The fact that the flower is offered to the speaker suggests that this beauty is a gift, something to be cherished and appreciated.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "I scrutinized and scanned it o'er." This line suggests that the speaker is examining the flower closely, trying to understand its significance. The use of the words "scrutinized" and "scanned" suggest a careful and deliberate examination. The fact that the speaker is taking the time to examine the flower suggests that they are beginning to appreciate the beauty in their life.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "And then my spirit turned away." This line suggests that the speaker is not yet ready to fully embrace the beauty in their life. The use of the word "turned" implies a sense of reluctance or hesitation. The fact that the speaker's spirit turns away suggests that they are not yet ready to fully engage with the beauty in their life.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "With clasping fingers, sighed, 'Adieu!'" This line suggests that the speaker is saying goodbye to the beauty in their life. The use of the phrase "clasping fingers" implies a sense of desperation or longing. The fact that the speaker sighs suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance. The use of the word "adieu" suggests a final farewell, as if the speaker is acknowledging that this beauty is fleeting and will soon be gone.
Overall, "I cautious, scanned my little life" is a powerful reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is acutely aware of the brevity of life and is trying to make the most of every moment. The poem is a reminder to all of us to appreciate the beauty in our lives and to make the most of every moment we have.
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