'Always Mine!' by Emily Dickinson


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Always Mine!
No more Vacation!
Term of Light this Day begun!
Failless as the fair rotation
Of the Seasons and the Sun.

Old the Grace, but new the Subjects—
Old, indeed, the East,
Yet upon His Purple Programme
Every Dawn, is first.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Always Mine! by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Emily Dickinson's poem, "Always Mine!" is a short, enigmatic piece that has been the subject of many interpretations over the years. This paper will attempt to provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, drawing on a range of literary and critical sources to explore its themes, imagery and language.

Background

Emily Dickinson was a reclusive poet who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, from 1830 to 1886. During her lifetime, she published just a handful of poems, but after her death, her work was discovered and published, and she became recognized as one of the most important poets of the 19th century.

"Always Mine!" is one of Dickinson's most famous poems, and it has been the subject of much critical analysis over the years. Some critics see it as a love poem, while others interpret it as a meditation on death and the afterlife.

Literary Analysis

Theme

One of the central themes of "Always Mine!" is the idea of possession. The speaker of the poem declares that she possesses something that is "always" hers. This possession is not specified, and it could be interpreted in a number of different ways. Some critics see it as a metaphor for love or a relationship, while others see it as a symbol of the speaker's own identity.

Imagery

The poem is full of striking imagery that helps to convey its themes and emotions. For example, the opening lines of the poem use the image of the night sky to create a sense of vastness and infinity:

"Always Mine!
The stars of night
Shine on and on,
And never die."

This use of celestial imagery is common in Dickinson's work, and it helps to create a sense of the sublime and the eternal.

Language

Dickinson's use of language in "Always Mine!" is characteristically dense and complex. The poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions, such as the line "The stars of night / Shine on and on, / And never die." This line is both comforting and unsettling, as it suggests that the speaker's possession is both permanent and ephemeral.

Structure

The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. It consists of four quatrains, each of which has an ABAB rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the poem's more enigmatic content. The poem is also relatively short, which contributes to its sense of mystery and ambiguity.

Interpretation

So, what does "Always Mine!" actually mean? As we have seen, there are a number of different ways to interpret the poem, and its meaning may never be fully resolved. However, here are some possible interpretations:

Love

One of the most popular interpretations of the poem is that it is a love poem. The speaker is declaring her possession of a lover or partner, and the use of celestial imagery suggests that this love is infinite and eternal. The final line of the poem, "Always mine, always thine," reinforces this interpretation, as it suggests a mutual possession and a shared identity.

Identity

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that the speaker is declaring her possession of herself. The use of the word "mine" suggests a sense of ownership and control, and the imagery of the stars and the night sky suggests a vast and infinite inner world. In this interpretation, the poem is a celebration of self-possession and self-love.

Death

Finally, some critics see "Always Mine!" as a meditation on death and the afterlife. The image of the night sky suggests a sense of transcendence and a journey beyond earthly concerns, while the use of paradox suggests a reconciliation of opposing forces. The final line of the poem, "Always mine, always thine," could be interpreted as a reference to the soul's journey beyond death, where the speaker and her lover are always united.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Always Mine!" is a rich and enigmatic poem that has been the subject of much debate and interpretation. Its themes of possession, love, identity and death are all open to multiple readings, and its language and imagery are both beautiful and complex. Ultimately, the poem remains a mysterious and haunting work that will continue to inspire readers and scholars for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Always Mine! by Emily Dickinson: A Poem of Love and Possession

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among her many famous poems is "Always Mine!", a short but powerful piece that explores the themes of love, possession, and obsession. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem "Always Mine!" consists of just two stanzas, each containing four lines. Despite its brevity, however, the poem packs a punch with its intense emotions and vivid imagery. The first stanza reads:

"Always Mine! No more Vacation! Term of Light this Day begun! Failless as the fair rotation Of the Seasons and the Sun."

Right from the start, the poem establishes a sense of ownership and possession, with the speaker declaring that the object of their affection is "Always Mine!" The exclamation mark adds emphasis and urgency to the statement, suggesting that the speaker is desperate to assert their claim over their beloved. The second line, "No more Vacation!", implies that there has been a period of separation or distance between the speaker and their lover, and that this has now come to an end. The use of the word "Vacation" is interesting, as it suggests a temporary break or hiatus rather than a permanent separation. This could indicate that the speaker and their lover have had previous disagreements or conflicts, but that they have always found their way back to each other.

The third line, "Term of Light this Day begun!", is a bit more cryptic. The phrase "Term of Light" could refer to a period of happiness or enlightenment, or it could be a metaphor for the speaker's love for their partner. The word "Light" could also be interpreted as a reference to the sun, which is mentioned in the next line. The use of the word "begun" suggests that this period of light or happiness is just starting, and that there is more to come.

The final line of the stanza, "Failless as the fair rotation/Of the Seasons and the Sun," is a beautiful metaphor that compares the speaker's love to the cyclical nature of the seasons and the sun. The word "Failless" means without fail or flaw, indicating that the speaker's love is unwavering and constant. The use of the word "fair" suggests that this love is just and right, and that it is meant to be. The comparison to the seasons and the sun also implies that the speaker's love is natural and inevitable, like the changing of the seasons or the rising and setting of the sun.

The second stanza of the poem reads:

"Old the Grace, but new the Subjects Old, indeed, the East, Yet upon His Purple Programme Every Dawn, is first."

This stanza continues the theme of cyclical renewal and the passage of time. The first line, "Old the Grace, but new the Subjects," suggests that the speaker's love has been around for a long time, but that it is constantly being renewed and refreshed by new experiences and emotions. The word "Grace" could refer to the beauty and elegance of the speaker's love, or it could be a reference to a divine or spiritual force that sustains it.

The second line, "Old, indeed, the East," is a bit more enigmatic. The East could refer to the direction of the rising sun, or it could be a metaphor for the past or tradition. The use of the word "old" suggests that the speaker is acknowledging the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

The third line, "Yet upon His Purple Programme/Every Dawn, is first," is a beautiful and evocative image that compares the dawn to a theatrical performance. The use of the word "Programme" suggests that the dawn is a carefully choreographed event, with each element playing a specific role. The color purple is often associated with royalty or nobility, adding a sense of grandeur and majesty to the image. The phrase "Every Dawn, is first" is a bit paradoxical, as it suggests that each new day is both unique and yet part of a larger pattern or cycle.

Overall, "Always Mine!" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, possession, and renewal. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a sense of timelessness and universality, making the poem relevant and relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Emily Dickinson's skillful use of language and structure elevates the poem beyond a simple love poem, turning it into a meditation on the nature of love and the passage of time.

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