Decoding the Symbolism in Emily Dickinson's Poetry

Are you a fan of Emily Dickinson's poetry? Do you find yourself wondering what her poems really mean? If so, you're not alone. Emily Dickinson's poetry is known for its enigmatic nature, and many readers struggle to understand the symbolism she uses. But fear not! In this article, we'll be decoding the symbolism in Emily Dickinson's poetry, so you can fully appreciate the depth and beauty of her work.

Who was Emily Dickinson?

Before we dive into the symbolism in her poetry, let's take a moment to learn a bit about Emily Dickinson herself. Emily Dickinson was an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. She was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, and spent most of her life there, rarely venturing beyond the confines of her family's home. Despite her reclusive nature, Dickinson was a prolific writer, producing nearly 1,800 poems in her lifetime. However, only a handful of her poems were published during her lifetime, and it wasn't until after her death that her work gained widespread recognition.

The Symbolism in Emily Dickinson's Poetry

Now that we know a bit about Emily Dickinson, let's turn our attention to the symbolism in her poetry. Dickinson's poems are full of rich, complex symbolism that can be difficult to decipher. However, by examining some of the most common symbols she uses, we can gain a deeper understanding of her work.

Nature

One of the most prominent symbols in Emily Dickinson's poetry is nature. Dickinson was deeply connected to the natural world, and her poems often use natural imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. For example, in her poem "A Bird Came Down the Walk," Dickinson uses the image of a bird to explore themes of freedom and captivity:

A Bird came down the Walk—
He did not know I saw—
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass—
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass—

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all around—
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought—
He stirred his Velvet Head

Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home—

In this poem, the bird represents freedom, while the speaker represents captivity. The bird is able to eat and drink freely, while the speaker is confined to her human body. However, the bird's fear and caution suggest that even freedom has its dangers and limitations.

Death

Another common symbol in Emily Dickinson's poetry is death. Dickinson was fascinated by death and the afterlife, and many of her poems explore these themes. However, Dickinson's approach to death is not always straightforward. Instead, she often uses metaphor and symbolism to convey her ideas. For example, in her poem "Because I could not stop for Death," Dickinson uses the image of a carriage ride to represent the journey from life to death:

Because I could not stop for Death—
He kindly stopped for me—
The Carriage held but just Ourselves—
And Immortality.

We slowly drove—He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility—

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess—in the Ring—
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain—
We passed the Setting Sun—

Or rather—He passed Us—
The Dews drew quivering and chill—
For only Gossamer, my Gown—
My Tippet—only Tulle—

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground—
The Roof was scarcely visible—
The Cornice—in the Ground—

Since then—'tis Centuries—and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity—

In this poem, the carriage ride represents the journey from life to death, with Death acting as a kind of guide. The passing of the school and the fields of grain represent the passing of life's milestones, while the house that "seemed a Swelling of the Ground" represents the grave. The final lines suggest that the journey to eternity is both long and short, with the speaker realizing that she has been headed toward death all along.

Religion

Religion is another important theme in Emily Dickinson's poetry, and she often uses religious imagery and symbolism to explore spiritual ideas. However, Dickinson's approach to religion is not always straightforward. Instead, she often uses irony and ambiguity to challenge traditional religious beliefs. For example, in her poem "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church," Dickinson uses the image of nature to suggest that true spirituality can be found outside of organized religion:

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church—
I keep it, staying at Home—
With a Bobolink for a Chorister—
And an Orchard, for a Dome—

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice—
I, just wear my Wings—
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton—sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman—
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last—
I'm going, all along.

In this poem, the speaker suggests that true spirituality can be found in nature, rather than in organized religion. The image of the Bobolink as a chorister and the orchard as a dome suggest that nature can be just as awe-inspiring and transcendent as a church. The final lines suggest that the speaker is already on the path to heaven, without the need for organized religion.

Conclusion

Emily Dickinson's poetry is full of rich, complex symbolism that can be difficult to decipher. However, by examining some of the most common symbols she uses, we can gain a deeper understanding of her work. From nature to death to religion, Dickinson's poetry explores some of the most profound and universal themes of human experience. So the next time you read one of her poems, take a moment to consider the symbolism she uses. You may be surprised at the depth and beauty of her work.

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