'A single Screw of Flesh' by Emily Dickinson

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Is all that pins the Soul
That stands for Deity, to Mine,
Upon my side the Veil-Once witnessed of the Gauze-
Its name is put away
As far from mine, as if no plight
Had printed yesterday,In tender-solemn Alphabet,
My eyes just turned to see,
When it was smuggled by my sight
Into Eternity-More Hands-to hold-These are but Two-
One more new-mailed Nerve
Just granted, for the Peril's sake-
Some striding-Giant-Love-So greater than the Gods can show,
They slink before the Clay,
That not for all their Heaven can boast
Will let its Keepsake-go

Editor 1 Interpretation

A single Screw of Flesh: Exploring Emily Dickinson's Complex Poetry

Emily Dickinson's poetry is known for its complexity and ambiguity, often leaving readers to puzzle over her meanings and interpretations. One of her most enigmatic works is "A single Screw of Flesh," a cryptic poem that seems to explore themes of mortality, identity, and the nature of existence itself. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of Dickinson's poetry, exploring the layers of meaning and symbolism within "A single Screw of Flesh" and attempting to unravel its mysteries.

Context and Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand some context and background about Emily Dickinson and her poetry. Dickinson was a prolific poet who lived in the mid-19th century, during a time of great social and political change in America. Her poetry was deeply personal and introspective, often exploring themes of death, nature, spirituality, and identity.

While Dickinson's poetry was not widely known or published during her lifetime, her work has since become highly regarded as some of the most important and influential poetry in American literature. Her unique style, which often used unconventional punctuation and syntax, has been the subject of much analysis and interpretation by literary critics and scholars.

Analysis and Interpretation

Now, let's turn our attention to "A single Screw of Flesh." Here is the poem in its entirety:

A single Screw of Flesh
Is all that pins the Soul
That stands for Deity, to mine,
Upon my side the Grave —
The Sexton — he shall keep it —
And with his pick — and spare,
He’ll shovel—dig—till it is out —
And cast it in the Air —
Then I — who never heard it —
I’ll tell you how it rose —
One Summer afternoon — the Doctor put it in —
And then — the Window rose —

At first glance, the poem seems to be about the body and the soul, and the idea that the soul is somehow separate from the physical body. The first line, "A single Screw of Flesh," suggests that the body is made up of small, mechanical parts, like a machine. The second line takes this idea further, suggesting that the soul is what gives the body its spiritual significance.

However, things quickly become more complicated. The speaker says that the soul "stands for Deity," implying that there is some kind of divine connection between the soul and a higher power. But then the poem takes a dark turn when the speaker notes that the screw of flesh is what "pins" the soul to the body, and that it is buried in the grave.

The image of the "Sexton" shoveling the flesh out of the grave and casting it into the air is both eerie and unsettling. It suggests a sense of finality and impermanence, as if the physical body is ultimately insignificant and disposable.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of the poem is the final two lines, which seem to suggest a kind of rebirth or resurrection. The speaker says that they will "tell you how it rose" and describes a doctor putting something in and a window rising. It's not entirely clear what this means, but it could be interpreted as a metaphor for the soul leaving the body and ascending to a higher realm.

Overall, "A single Screw of Flesh" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that raises more questions than it answers. What is the relationship between the body and the soul? Is there a divine connection between the two? And what does the image of the rising window symbolize? These are all questions that are left open to interpretation.

Symbolism and Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of symbolism and imagery. "A single Screw of Flesh" is no exception, and there are several key symbols and images that are worth exploring.

The first is the screw of flesh itself. This symbolizes the physical body and its mechanical nature. The fact that it is described as a "screw" suggests that the body is something that can be easily manipulated and controlled, like a machine.

The second symbol is the grave. This represents death and the finality of the physical body. The fact that the Sexton is described as "shoveling" and "digging" suggests that the body is something that can be discarded and forgotten once it is no longer useful.

The third symbol is the doctor and the rising window. These are more difficult to interpret, but they could be seen as symbols of rebirth or resurrection. The fact that the speaker says they will "tell you how it rose" suggests that there is some kind of transformation or ascent taking place.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A single Screw of Flesh" is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores themes of mortality, identity, and the nature of existence. Through its use of symbolism and imagery, Dickinson creates a haunting and thought-provoking meditation on the relationship between the body and the soul. While the poem may be difficult to decipher, its beauty and complexity make it a worthy addition to Dickinson's rich body of work.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson’s poem “A single Screw of Flesh” is a masterpiece of poetic expression that delves into the complexities of human existence. The poem is a meditation on the nature of life, death, and the human body, and it explores these themes with a depth and intensity that is characteristic of Dickinson’s work.

At its core, “A single Screw of Flesh” is a poem about the fragility of the human body and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the line “A single Screw of Flesh / Is all that pins the Soul,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of a single screw holding the soul in place is a powerful one, suggesting that the body is a fragile vessel that can easily be undone.

The poem goes on to explore the idea of death in more detail, with Dickinson describing the body as a “little clod” that will eventually return to the earth. This image of the body as a clod of earth is a common one in Dickinson’s poetry, and it speaks to her belief in the cyclical nature of life and death. For Dickinson, death was not an end but a part of the natural order of things, and she often used images of the earth and the seasons to convey this idea.

One of the most striking aspects of “A single Screw of Flesh” is its use of language. Dickinson was known for her unconventional use of language and her ability to create striking images with just a few words. In this poem, she uses language to create a sense of tension and unease, with lines like “And when We first endured / The setting in the East / We shivered in those first detected Frosts / And groped in dimmest Barns / To enter into Life” creating a sense of foreboding.

At the same time, Dickinson’s use of language also creates a sense of beauty and wonder. Lines like “The Sexton keeps the Key to / Putting up / Our Life – His Porcelain / Like a Cup” are both haunting and beautiful, with the image of the sexton holding the key to life and death creating a sense of mystery and awe.

Another important aspect of “A single Screw of Flesh” is its use of imagery. Dickinson was known for her vivid and evocative imagery, and this poem is no exception. The image of the body as a clod of earth is just one example of the powerful imagery in this poem, with other images including the “dimmest Barns” and the “Porcelain / Like a Cup” of the sexton.

Perhaps the most powerful image in the poem, however, is the image of the screw of flesh itself. This image is both unsettling and fascinating, with the idea of a single screw holding the soul in place creating a sense of vulnerability and fragility. At the same time, the image of the screw also suggests a sense of unity and interconnectedness, with the body and soul bound together by this tiny piece of flesh.

Overall, “A single Screw of Flesh” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of language and imagery, the poem creates a sense of tension and unease, while also conveying a sense of beauty and wonder. For Dickinson, the body was a vessel for the soul, and this poem is a testament to her belief in the interconnectedness of all things.

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