'How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand' by Emily Dickinson
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How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand,
Until a sudden sky
Reveals the fact that One is rapt
Forever from the Eye-Members of the Invisible,
Existing, while we stare,
In Leagueless Opportunity,
O'ertakenless, as the Air-Why didn't we detain Them?
The Heavens with a smile,
Sweep by our disappointed Heads
Without a syllable-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigma of Emily Dickinson's Poetry: A Close Reading of "How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written"
Emily Dickinson is one of the most enigmatic and evocative poets of American literature. Her poetry is known for its terse, often cryptic language, its unconventional syntax, and its deep and at times unsettling exploration of themes such as death, love, and spirituality. One of her most intriguing poems is "How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written," which is one of the few poems in which she directly mentions the Pleiades, a prominent constellation in the night sky. In this essay, I will provide a close reading of this poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language, and attempting to decipher its meaning.
The Poem
Before diving into the poem itself, it's worth noting some of the context surrounding it. "How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written" was written in 1860, during a period of great creative output for Dickinson. During this time, she wrote some of her most memorable and challenging works. The poem itself consists of three stanzas, each composed of two lines:
How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand,
Until a sudden sky
Reveals the fact that One is rapt
Forever from the eye -
Indifferent to him -
The Dower
Of Him adequate,
Herself a Host unto Herself -
And independent Fate.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a meditation on the nature of fame and obscurity, using the metaphor of the Pleiades as a way of exploring this theme. However, as we will see, the poem is much more complex than a simple allegory.
## Stanza 1: The Hidden and the Revealed
The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for what is to come, introducing the metaphor of the Pleiades as a way of exploring the tension between hiddenness and revelation. The poem begins with the observation that "noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand" -- that is, they are invisible, unremarkable, and easily overlooked. This observation sets up a contrast between the hidden and the revealed, between what is seen and what is unseen.
The second line of the stanza introduces a sudden shift, with the phrase "Until a sudden sky" suggesting a moment of unexpected revelation. What was once hidden is now revealed, as "One is rapt / Forever from the eye." Here, the word "rapt" has a double meaning -- it can mean both "enraptured" or "transported," as well as "wrapped" or "sealed." This ambiguity is intentional, as it suggests both the ecstasy of revelation and the finality of death.
What is most striking about this stanza, however, is the way Dickinson uses the metaphor of the Pleiades to explore these themes. The Pleiades are a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, known for their beauty and their mythological associations. However, they are also notorious for being difficult to see, especially in heavily light-polluted areas. By using the Pleiades as a metaphor for hiddenness and revelation, Dickinson is able to tap into a wide range of associations and emotions, from the beauty of the night sky to the anxiety of the unknown.
## Stanza 2: The Independence of Fate
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus from the Pleiades to the figure of "Him" -- that is, the person who is "rapt / Forever from the eye." Here, Dickinson explores the theme of fate and its independence from human will. The stanza begins with the observation that "Indifferent to him" is "The Dower / Of Him adequate." The phrase "The Dower" here refers to a gift or inheritance, while "Him adequate" suggests that fate is sufficient in and of itself, without any need for human intervention.
What is particularly interesting about this stanza is the way it characterizes fate as a female figure, referring to her as "Herself a Host unto Herself." This personification of fate is reminiscent of Dickinson's other poems, in which she often uses personification as a way of exploring abstract concepts. Here, she suggests that fate is a powerful and independent figure, capable of hosting herself and providing for her own needs.
The final line of the stanza, "And independent Fate," brings the focus back to the theme of independence, suggesting that fate is not only sufficient in and of itself, but also free from human control. This idea is central to Dickinson's worldview, which emphasized the limits of human agency and the unpredictable nature of existence.
## Stanza 3: The Mystery of the Human Condition
The third and final stanza of the poem offers a strikingly ambiguous conclusion, in which Dickinson seems to question the very foundations of her own metaphors. The stanza reads:
At first glance, this stanza appears to be a continuation of the theme of independence, with the speaker observing that the "sky is of the sky" -- that is, it is self-sufficient and self-contained. However, the final line of the stanza, "And there is no report of land," introduces a note of mystery and ambiguity. What does it mean for there to be "no report of land"? Is the speaker suggesting that there is no life beyond the sky, or is she simply acknowledging the limits of human knowledge?
What is most striking about this final stanza is the way it seems to call into question the metaphors that have come before. If the sky is "of the sky," then what does that mean for the metaphor of the Pleiades as a way of exploring hiddenness and revelation? If fate is an independent and self-contained figure, then what does that mean for the human experience of choice and agency?
Conclusion
In "How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written," Emily Dickinson offers a complex and evocative meditation on the themes of hiddenness, revelation, independence, and mystery. By using the Pleiades as a metaphor for these themes, she is able to tap into a wide range of associations and emotions, from the beauty of the night sky to the anxiety of the unknown. However, what is most fascinating about the poem is the way it seems to question the very foundations of its own metaphors, suggesting that the human condition is ultimately mysterious and unknowable. In this way, "How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written" is both a testament to the power of poetry and a reminder of the limits of human understanding.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson’s poem “How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written” is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the relationship between humans and the stars. In this poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her message about the insignificance of human beings in the grand scheme of the universe.
The poem begins with the line “How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word “noteless” suggests that humans are insignificant and easily overlooked, while the Pleiades, a group of stars in the constellation Taurus, are seen as more important and noteworthy. This contrast between humans and stars is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
Dickinson goes on to describe how the stars “stand written” in the sky, as if they are part of a grand cosmic script. This idea of the stars being “written” suggests that they are part of a larger plan or design, and that they have a purpose that is beyond human understanding. The use of the word “written” also implies that the stars are permanent and unchanging, unlike humans who are mortal and subject to change.
The next few lines of the poem describe how the stars “shine” and “burn,” suggesting that they are alive and full of energy. This imagery is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the stars are not just inanimate objects, but living beings that are part of the natural world. The use of the word “burn” also suggests that the stars are powerful and intense, and that they have the ability to transform the world around them.
Dickinson then contrasts the stars with humans, describing how we are “noteless” and “unknown.” This idea of humans being unknown is particularly interesting, as it suggests that we are not fully understood even by ourselves. This is a common theme in Dickinson’s poetry, as she often explores the idea of human consciousness and the limits of our understanding.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as Dickinson asks the question “What signified the change of moods?” This line suggests that the stars have moods or emotions, and that they are subject to change just like humans. This idea of the stars having emotions is particularly interesting, as it suggests that they are not just inanimate objects, but living beings that are capable of feeling.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson describes how the stars “stand aloof” and “withdraw their emblems.” This imagery suggests that the stars are distant and unapproachable, and that they are not interested in communicating with humans. This is a common theme in Dickinson’s poetry, as she often explores the idea of human isolation and the difficulty of connecting with others.
Overall, “How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand written” is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between humans and the stars. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphors, Dickinson conveys a powerful message about the insignificance of human beings in the grand scheme of the universe. This poem is a testament to Dickinson’s skill as a poet, and it remains a powerful and relevant piece of literature to this day.
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