'Going to Heaven!' by Emily Dickinson
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Going to Heaven!
I don't know when-
Pray do not ask me how!
Indeed I'm too astonished
To think of answering you!
Going to Heaven!
How dim it sounds!
And yet it will be done
As sure as flocks go home at night
Unto the Shepherd's arm!Perhaps you're going too!
Who knows?
If you should get there first
Save just a little space for me
Close to the two I lost-
The smallest "Robe" will fit me
And just a bit of "Crown"-
For you know we do not mind our dress
When we are going home-I'm glad I don't believe it
For it would stop my breath-
And I'd like to look a little more
At such a curious Earth!
I'm glad they did believe it
Whom I have never found
Since the might Autumn afternoon
I left them in the ground.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Going to Heaven! by Emily Dickinson
Introduction
Going to Heaven! is a poem by Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. The poem is a reflection on the experience of death and the possibility of an afterlife. The poem, like many of Dickinson's works, is characterized by its use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization, which can be challenging for readers to decipher. However, these stylistic devices also add to the poem's emotional impact, conveying the speaker's sense of awe and wonder in the face of the unknown.
The Poem
Going to Heaven! I don't know when, Pray do not ask me how,— Indeed I'm too astonished To think of answering you!
Going to Heaven! How dim it sounds! And yet it will be done As sure as flocks go home at night Unto the shepherd's arm!
Perhaps you're going too! Who knows? If you should get there first, Save just a little place for me Close to the two I lost!
The first stanza establishes the poem's theme of uncertainty and wonder in the face of death. The speaker admits that she doesn't know when or how she will go to heaven, and is too astonished to even think about it. The second stanza acknowledges the strangeness of the idea of going to heaven, but also expresses the speaker's faith that it will happen. The image of flocks returning to the shepherd's arm is a metaphor for the soul returning to God after death.
The third and final stanza is addressed directly to the reader, asking them to consider the possibility that they too may one day go to heaven. The speaker expresses the hope that the reader will save a place for her in heaven, close to the two people she has lost.
Literary Analysis
Going to Heaven! is a poem that explores the mystery of death and the possibility of an afterlife. The poem is characterized by its use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization, which can be challenging for readers to decipher. However, these stylistic devices also add to the poem's emotional impact, conveying the speaker's sense of awe and wonder in the face of the unknown.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of exclamation marks. Dickinson uses them to emphasize the speaker's sense of amazement and astonishment at the idea of going to heaven. The repeated use of exclamation marks also creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as though the speaker is urging the reader to consider the possibility of an afterlife.
The poem's first stanza is characterized by its syntactical complexity, with the speaker using a series of dashes to interrupt and fragment her own thoughts. The effect is to create a sense of confusion and disorientation, mirroring the speaker's own sense of being overwhelmed by the idea of going to heaven. The second stanza, in contrast, is more straightforward, with the speaker expressing her faith that going to heaven will happen, despite its strangeness.
The third stanza is addressed directly to the reader, and is characterized by a tone of intimacy and vulnerability. The speaker asks the reader to consider the possibility that they too may go to heaven, and expresses the hope that they will save a place for her there. The use of the word "you" creates a sense of immediacy and connection between the speaker and the reader, while the image of saving a place in heaven for the speaker is deeply touching.
Interpretation
Going to Heaven! is a poem that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. At its most basic level, the poem is a reflection on the mystery of death and the possibility of an afterlife. The speaker expresses her sense of wonder and awe at the idea of going to heaven, and acknowledges her own uncertainty about what will happen after she dies.
However, the poem can also be read as a meditation on the nature of faith and belief. The speaker's faith in the possibility of an afterlife is not based on any concrete evidence or empirical proof, but rather on a sense of trust and hope. In this sense, the poem is a testament to the power of faith to provide comfort and solace in the face of the unknown.
Finally, the poem can be read as a deeply personal expression of grief and loss. The speaker asks the reader to save a place for her in heaven, close to the two people she has lost. The poem can be seen as a way for the speaker to come to terms with her own mortality, and to find comfort in the thought of being reunited with her loved ones in the afterlife.
Conclusion
Going to Heaven! is a poem that explores the mystery of death and the possibility of an afterlife. The poem is characterized by its use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization, which convey the speaker's sense of wonder and awe in the face of the unknown. The poem can be interpreted as a reflection on faith and belief, as well as a deeply personal expression of grief and loss. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the human capacity for hope and trust in the face of mortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Going to Heaven! by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.
The poem begins with the line, "Going to Heaven!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The exclamation mark at the end of the line emphasizes the excitement and anticipation of the speaker. The use of the present participle "going" suggests that the speaker is in the process of going to heaven, which creates a sense of immediacy and urgency.
The second line of the poem reads, "I don't know when." This line introduces an element of uncertainty and mystery. The speaker is unsure of when they will reach heaven, which adds to the sense of anticipation and excitement. The use of the contraction "don't" instead of "do not" also adds to the informal and conversational tone of the poem.
The third line of the poem reads, "Pray do not ask me how!" This line further emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty and mystery surrounding their journey to heaven. The use of the imperative "pray" suggests that the speaker is pleading with the reader not to ask them how they are going to heaven. This line also introduces the theme of faith and spirituality, as the speaker is relying on their faith to guide them to heaven.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Indeed, I'm too astonished." This line adds to the sense of mystery and uncertainty surrounding the speaker's journey to heaven. The use of the word "astonished" suggests that the speaker is surprised by their journey and does not fully understand it. This line also adds to the overall tone of excitement and anticipation in the poem.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "To dare to think of such a journey." This line introduces the theme of courage and bravery. The use of the word "dare" suggests that the journey to heaven is not an easy one and requires courage and bravery. This line also adds to the sense of anticipation and excitement in the poem, as the speaker is daring to embark on this journey.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "The first that ever burst." This line introduces the theme of new beginnings and the unknown. The use of the word "first" suggests that the speaker is embarking on a new journey that has never been taken before. The use of the word "burst" suggests that this journey is explosive and transformative.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Upon the ether new." This line adds to the theme of new beginnings and the unknown. The use of the word "ether" suggests that the speaker is entering a new realm or dimension that is beyond the physical world. This line also adds to the overall sense of excitement and anticipation in the poem.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Quite of a portentous size." This line introduces the theme of the unknown and the mysterious. The use of the word "portentous" suggests that the journey to heaven is significant and has a great impact. The use of the word "size" suggests that this journey is vast and expansive.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "To fail with but a cordiality." This line introduces the theme of failure and the unknown. The use of the word "fail" suggests that the speaker is aware that their journey to heaven may not be successful. However, the use of the word "cordiality" suggests that the speaker is accepting of this possibility and is willing to face it with grace and kindness.
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "Infinite gratitude and then." This line introduces the theme of gratitude and the unknown. The use of the word "infinite" suggests that the speaker is grateful for the journey to heaven, regardless of the outcome. The use of the word "then" suggests that the journey to heaven is ongoing and that the speaker is still in the process of reaching their destination.
In conclusion, Going to Heaven! by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that explores themes of faith, spirituality, courage, new beginnings, the unknown, and gratitude. The use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax adds to the unique style of Dickinson's writing and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation in the poem. Overall, this poem is a beautiful and inspiring reflection on the journey of life and the unknown adventures that await us.
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