'A solemn thing-it was-I said' by Emily Dickinson
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A solemn thing-it was-I said-
A woman-white-to be-
And wear-if God should count me fit-
Her blameless mystery-A hallowed thing-to drop a life
Into the purple well-
Too plummetless-that it return-
Eternity-until-I pondered how the bliss would look-
And would it feel as big-
When I could take it in my hand-
As hovering-seen-through fog-And then-the size of this "small" life-
The Sages-call it small-
Swelled-like Horizons-in my vest-
And I sneered-softly-"small"!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"A solemn thing-it was-I said" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson, a revered American poet, has left behind a legacy of poems that are not only deeply personal but also universal in their appeal. "A solemn thing-it was-I said" is one of her most famous poems, characterized by its simple yet powerful language and profound insight into the mysteries of life and death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this poem and try to understand its significance for contemporary readers.
The Poem
A solemn thing-it was-I said- A woman-white-to be- And wear-if God should count me fit- Her blameless mystery-
A timid thing-to drop a life Into the purple well- Too plummetless-that it return- Eternity until-
I fear me that the Sea invoked Its Sovereign to come down- And Majesty-a-mightier thing- Conferred-with me-the Crown!
Theme
The theme of this poem is the solemnity of death and the mystery that surrounds it. The speaker is contemplating the idea of death and imagines herself as a "woman-white" who would wear the "blameless mystery" of death if God deemed her fit. The poem is not about the fear of death but rather the recognition of its inevitability and the reverence that it commands.
Imagery
The imagery in this poem is sparse but powerful. The "woman-white" is an image of purity and innocence, a symbol of the soul that is about to depart from the mortal body. The "purple well" is an image of the abyss into which the soul drops, and the "plummetless" nature of the well suggests the infinite depths of eternity. The "Sea" is a metaphor for the infinite and the eternal, and the "Sovereign" and "Majesty" are images of divine power and glory. Finally, the "Crown" symbolizes the ultimate reward for a life well-lived, the culmination of all human aspirations.
Symbolism
The symbolism in this poem is rich and multi-layered. The "woman-white" symbolizes the purity and innocence of the departing soul, but it also suggests the idea of a bride waiting to be united with her groom, the divine Beloved. The "purple well" symbolizes the abyss of infinity, but it also suggests the idea of a baptismal font, where the soul is cleansed and purified. The "Sea" symbolizes the infinite and the eternal, but it also suggests the idea of the primordial waters from which all life emerged. The "Sovereign" and "Majesty" symbolize the divine power and glory, but they also suggest the idea of a divine bridegroom who comes to claim his bride. Finally, the "Crown" symbolizes the ultimate reward for a life well-lived, but it also suggests the idea of the eternal union of the soul with the divine Beloved.
Interpretation
This poem can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see it as a meditation on death and the afterlife, a contemplation of the mysteries of human existence. Others may see it as a celebration of the soul's journey towards the divine Beloved, a recognition of the ultimate goal of human life. Still, others may see it as a call to live a life of purity and love, a preparation for the ultimate union with the divine.
One of the most striking features of this poem is its simplicity. The language is straightforward, the images are clear, and the symbolism is easy to grasp. Yet, despite its simplicity, the poem manages to convey a profound sense of awe and reverence towards the mysteries of life and death. The speaker is not afraid of death, but rather humbled by its solemnity and the mystery that surrounds it.
Another noteworthy feature of this poem is its use of imagery and symbolism. Dickinson is famous for her use of unconventional imagery and symbolism, and this poem is no exception. The "woman-white," the "purple well," the "Sea," and the "Crown" are all images that are rich in meaning and suggest multiple layers of interpretation. The poem invites the reader to contemplate these images and discover their hidden meanings.
Finally, this poem can be seen as a reflection of Dickinson's own spiritual journey. Although she was notoriously reclusive and lived a life of seclusion, her poetry reveals a deep fascination with the divine and the spiritual. This poem, in particular, suggests a longing for the ultimate union with the divine Beloved, a desire to transcend the limitations of the mortal world and enter into the realm of the infinite and the eternal.
Conclusion
"A solemn thing-it was-I said" is a masterpiece of American poetry, a testament to the power and beauty of Dickinson's poetic vision. Its themes of death, life, and the mysteries of existence are universal in their appeal, and its images and symbolism are rich in meaning and complexity. It is a poem that invites the reader to contemplate the mysteries of life and death, to ponder the ultimate goal of human existence, and to strive towards a life of purity and love. In short, it is a poem that speaks to the highest aspirations of the human soul and invites us to enter into the realm of the divine.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson's poem "A solemn thing-it was-I said" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of death, grief, and the human experience. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, as she manages to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few short lines.
The poem begins with the line "A solemn thing-it was-I said," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "solemn" suggests a serious and somber mood, while the use of the first-person pronoun "I" indicates that the poem is a personal reflection on a particular experience.
The next line, "A woman-white-to be," introduces the subject of the poem: a woman who has died. The use of the word "white" suggests purity and innocence, while the phrase "to be" implies that the woman is no longer alive. This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the speaker's reaction to the woman's death.
The third line, "And wear-if God should count me fit," introduces the idea that the speaker is contemplating her own mortality. The phrase "if God should count me fit" suggests that the speaker is aware of her own mortality and is considering the possibility of her own death. This line also introduces the idea that the speaker believes in God and is considering the role that faith plays in the face of death.
The fourth line, "Her blameless mystery to knit," is perhaps the most enigmatic line in the poem. The phrase "blameless mystery" suggests that the woman who has died was a virtuous and mysterious figure. The word "knit" implies that the speaker is attempting to understand or make sense of the woman's life and death. This line is open to interpretation, but it adds to the overall sense of mystery and intrigue that permeates the poem.
The fifth line, "In fine-spun palaces of Fate," introduces the idea that the woman's death was predetermined by fate. The phrase "fine-spun palaces" suggests that the woman's fate was intricately woven and carefully planned. This line adds to the sense of inevitability and finality that surrounds death.
The sixth line, "Was she so soft-to suit," introduces the idea that the woman who has died was perhaps too gentle or fragile for the harsh realities of life. The phrase "to suit" implies that the woman was not well-suited to the challenges and difficulties of life. This line adds to the sense of tragedy and loss that permeates the poem.
The seventh line, "Or spake so low-a word," suggests that the woman who has died was perhaps quiet or reserved. The phrase "spake so low" implies that the woman did not speak loudly or assertively. This line adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue that surrounds the woman's life and death.
The eighth line, "That mighty Death-Bird heard," introduces the idea that death is personified as a "Death-Bird." The use of the word "mighty" suggests that death is a powerful and unstoppable force. This line adds to the sense of inevitability and finality that surrounds death.
The final two lines of the poem, "And set his sphere beside the soul," suggest that death is not just a physical event, but a spiritual one as well. The phrase "set his sphere beside the soul" implies that death is a transition from the physical world to the spiritual world. This line adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue that surrounds death, and suggests that there is more to life than just the physical world.
Overall, "A solemn thing-it was-I said" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, grief, and the human experience. Through her use of language and imagery, Emily Dickinson manages to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few short lines. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and a reminder of the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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