'A thought went up my mind to-day' by Emily Dickinson


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A thought went up my mind to-day
That I have had before,
But did not finish,--some way back,
I could not fix the year,

Nor where it went, nor why it came
The second time to me,
Nor definitely what it was,
Have I the art to say.

But somewhere in my soul, I know
I've met the thing before;
It just reminded me--'t was all--
And came my way no more.


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Thought Went Up My Mind Today by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Ambiguity and Imagery

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you're walking through a labyrinth of thought and imagination? A poem that's so full of ambiguity and symbolism that you're not quite sure what it's trying to say, but you can't help but be intrigued by it? If you haven't, then you need to read Emily Dickinson's "A Thought Went Up My Mind Today" - a true masterpiece of ambiguity and imagery that will make you question everything you thought you knew about poetry and the human mind.

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough: the speaker is walking through a field, and a thought "went up" her mind. But what is this thought? And why did it "go up" her mind, as if it's something that can be lifted and carried away? As you delve deeper into the poem, you realize that there's so much more going on here than meets the eye.

The Ambiguity of the Thought

Let's start with the thought itself. What is it? The speaker doesn't tell us directly, but gives us a few clues. She says that it was "an odd, a singing thought" - odd, because it's not something she's used to thinking about, and singing, because it's joyful and vibrant. She also says that it came from "the dimness of the past" - something that's not quite clear, something that's hazy and indistinct.

So what could this thought be? Some readers have interpreted it as a memory of a happy time in the speaker's past - perhaps a childhood memory of playing in the fields. Others have seen it as a moment of inspiration or creativity, a sudden burst of joyful thought that comes out of nowhere. And still others have seen it as a symbol of the human imagination itself - that mysterious, intangible force that can lift us out of the mundane and into the world of art and beauty.

The Imagery of the Field

But what about the field itself? Why is the speaker walking through it, and what does it represent? Here, too, there's plenty of room for interpretation. Some readers have seen the field as a symbol of nature - a place of beauty and freedom that can inspire us with its vastness and diversity. Others have seen it as a symbol of the mind itself - a vast, uncharted territory that we must navigate in order to find meaning and purpose.

The poem's imagery is rich and evocative, with phrases like "the dews drew quivering and chill" and "the corn was orient and immortal wheat" painting a vivid picture of the field and its surroundings. But what do these images really mean? Here, too, there's plenty of room for interpretation. Some readers have seen the "quivering and chill" of the dews as a symbol of uncertainty and fear, while others have seen it as a symbol of the beauty and fragility of life itself. And the image of the "immortal wheat" has been interpreted as a symbol of the soul, which endures even after the body has died.

The Meaning of the Poem

So what is this poem really about? Is it a celebration of the power of the human imagination, or a lament for the loss of innocence and joy that comes with age? Is it a meditation on the beauty of nature, or a warning about the dangers of the unknown? The truth is, there's no easy answer to these questions - and that's what makes "A Thought Went Up My Mind Today" such a powerful and enduring piece of literature.

Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the human mind and its capacity for wonder and imagination. It reminds us that even in the midst of our daily routines and mundane concerns, there's always the possibility of sudden, unexpected joy - a thought that can "sing" and lift us up out of the dimness of the past. And it reminds us that the world around us is full of mysteries and wonders that we can never fully comprehend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Thought Went Up My Mind Today" is a masterpiece of ambiguity and imagery that invites us to explore the depths of the human mind and the mysteries of the world around us. It's a poem that defies easy interpretation, but rewards careful reading and contemplation. So the next time you're feeling bored or uninspired, take a walk through a field and see if a thought goes up your mind today. Who knows what wonders you might discover?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Thought Went Up My Mind To-Day: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her poem, "A Thought Went Up My Mind To-Day," is a classic example of her work, and it has been analyzed and discussed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

A thought went up my mind to-day That I have had before, But did not finish,--some way back, I could not fix the year,

Nor where it went, nor why it came The second time to me, Nor definitely what it was, Have I the art to say.

But somewhere in my soul, I know I've met the thing before; It just reminded me--'t was all-- And came my way no more.

Analysis

At first glance, "A Thought Went Up My Mind To-Day" may seem like a simple and straightforward poem. However, upon closer examination, we can see that there is much more to it than meets the eye.

Theme

One of the main themes of this poem is the idea of memory and the way it works. The speaker of the poem is reflecting on a thought that came to her mind, but she cannot remember when or why she had it before. This is a common experience for many people, and it highlights the way that memory can be both elusive and unreliable.

Literary Devices

Dickinson employs several literary devices in this poem to convey her message. One of the most prominent is repetition. The phrase "I have had before" is repeated twice in the first stanza, emphasizing the speaker's confusion and frustration with her memory. Additionally, the use of dashes throughout the poem creates a sense of fragmentation and uncertainty, mirroring the speaker's own feelings.

Another literary device used in this poem is imagery. The speaker describes the thought as "somewhere in my soul," suggesting that memory is not just a mental process, but a deeply emotional one as well. This idea is reinforced by the final two lines of the poem, which describe the thought as something that "just reminded me--'t was all--/ And came my way no more." The use of the word "reminded" implies that the thought was connected to a specific experience or emotion, but the speaker cannot recall what that was.

Tone

The tone of this poem is one of frustration and resignation. The speaker is clearly bothered by her inability to remember the thought, but she also seems to accept that it is beyond her control. This tone is reflected in the final line of the poem, which suggests that the thought has come and gone, and there is nothing more to be done about it.

Interpretation

So, what does this poem mean? There are several possible interpretations, depending on how one chooses to read it. One interpretation is that the poem is about the fleeting nature of memory and the way that our thoughts and experiences can slip away from us over time. Another interpretation is that the poem is about the limitations of language and our ability to express ourselves. The speaker cannot fully articulate the thought that came to her mind, suggesting that there are some things that cannot be put into words.

Context

To fully understand this poem, it is important to consider the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson lived in the 19th century, a time when women were not encouraged to pursue intellectual or creative pursuits. Dickinson herself was a recluse, rarely leaving her home and rarely publishing her work. It is possible that this poem reflects her own frustration with the limitations placed on her as a woman and as a poet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Thought Went Up My Mind To-Day" is a deceptively simple poem that explores complex themes of memory, language, and identity. Through the use of repetition, imagery, and tone, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful meditation on the nature of thought and the limitations of human understanding. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of life in just a few lines of verse.

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