'He found my Being—set it up' by Emily Dickinson
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He found my Being—set it up—
Adjusted it to place—
Then carved his name—upon it—
And bade it to the East
Be faithful—in his absence—
And he would come again—
With Equipage of Amber—
That time—to take it Home—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"He found my Being—set it up" by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever read a poem that spoke to your soul? That made you feel as though the poet had peered into your very essence and written it down on paper? "He found my Being—set it up" by Emily Dickinson is that kind of poem. It is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the relationship between the self and the divine, and the ways in which we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand a little bit about Emily Dickinson and the context in which she wrote. Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived a relatively secluded life. She was, by all accounts, a brilliant and deeply sensitive person, but she struggled with mental illness throughout her life. She was also deeply spiritual, although her beliefs were unconventional for her time. Dickinson was raised in a Calvinist household, but she eventually rejected the doctrine of predestination and began to explore her own ideas about God and the universe.
Dickinson's poetry is often characterized by its spare, elliptical style and its exploration of themes like death, love, and spirituality. She was not widely recognized during her lifetime, but her work has since become some of the most beloved and influential poetry in the English language.
Analysis
"He found my Being—set it up" is a short, powerful poem that explores the relationship between the self and the divine. Here is the poem in its entirety:
He found my Being—set it up
Adjusted it to place—
Then carved his name upon it
And bade it to the East
Be faithful in his absence—
And he would come again—
With Equipage of Amber—
That time to take me Home—
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. The speaker is describing an encounter with someone who has "found" her "Being" and "set it up." It is not immediately clear who this person is, but the next line provides a clue: "Then carved his name upon it." This suggests that the person is God (or at least some kind of divine figure) and that the "Being" is the speaker's soul or essence.
The next few lines add depth and complexity to the poem. The divine figure "bade" the speaker's soul to be "faithful in his absence." This suggests that the speaker is now in some sense beholden to this figure, and that she has a duty to uphold in his absence. But who is this figure, and where has he gone? The final lines of the poem provide some answers: "And he would come again—/With Equipage of Amber—/That time to take me Home—"
Here we learn that the divine figure has gone away, but that he will return with an "Equipage of Amber" to "take [the speaker] Home." The phrase "Equipage of Amber" is particularly interesting, as it suggests both wealth and illumination. This divine figure is not simply returning to retrieve the speaker; he is coming back in a blaze of glory, with all the power and majesty of the divine.
But what does it mean for the speaker to be taken "Home"? Here, the poem leaves us with a sense of ambiguity. Is this a literal homecoming, a reunion with the divine after death? Or is it a more metaphorical return, a coming into one's own and finding one's place in the world? Either way, the poem suggests that there is meaning and purpose to be found in life, and that the divine is intimately involved in that search.
Interpretation
"He found my Being—set it up" is a deeply spiritual poem that speaks to the human desire for connection and meaning. It suggests that there is a divine presence in the world, and that this presence is intimately involved in our lives. The poem's spare, elliptical style leaves much open to interpretation, but it is clear that Dickinson is exploring some of the most fundamental questions of human existence.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of faith. The divine figure in the poem demands faithfulness from the speaker in his absence, suggesting that faith is not simply a matter of belief or ritual, but of action and duty. The speaker's soul has been "set up" by this figure, and she is now called upon to live up to the potential that has been bestowed upon her. This suggests that faith is not simply a passive acceptance of divine grace, but an active engagement with the world and with one's own potential.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the nature of the self. The speaker's soul has been "found" and "set up" by the divine figure, suggesting that the self is not simply a product of individual will or circumstance, but is something that is given and shaped by outside forces. The act of carving the divine figure's name onto the speaker's soul suggests that the self is not simply a personal possession, but is intimately connected to the divine. This raises questions about the nature of identity, and about the ways in which we find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Overall, "He found my Being—set it up" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the deepest questions of human existence. Its spare, elliptical style and its exploration of themes like faith and identity make it a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether we interpret it as a meditation on faith, a reflection on the self, or something else entirely, it is a poem that speaks directly to the heart and soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
He Found My Being - Set It Up: A Poem of Self-Discovery
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and the human experience. In her poem "He Found My Being - Set It Up," Dickinson delves into the concept of self-discovery and the role that others can play in helping us find our true selves.
The poem begins with the line "He found my Being - set it up," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is referring to someone who has helped her discover her true self, and has "set it up" for her to live authentically. This idea of someone else helping us find ourselves is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of the self in relation to others.
The second line of the poem, "Adjusted it to place," further emphasizes the idea of someone else helping the speaker find her true self. The word "adjusted" implies that the speaker's true self was already there, but needed someone else to help bring it to the surface. The phrase "to place" also suggests that the speaker's true self has a specific purpose or role to play in the world.
The third line of the poem, "Then carved his name upon it," is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker reveals that the person who helped her find her true self has left a mark on her, both literally and figuratively. The word "carved" implies a permanent mark, something that cannot be erased or forgotten. The fact that the person's name was carved onto the speaker's true self suggests that they had a significant impact on her life and helped shape who she is.
The fourth line of the poem, "And bade me to be still," is a powerful statement. The person who helped the speaker find her true self not only left a mark on her, but also gave her a command. The phrase "bade me" implies that the speaker was given a directive, something she must do. The phrase "to be still" suggests that the speaker must be quiet, listen, and reflect on her true self. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of introspection and self-reflection.
The fifth and final line of the poem, "And wait - before I stirred," is a fitting conclusion to the piece. The speaker has been given a command to be still and wait, suggesting that she must take time to reflect on her true self before taking action. The phrase "before I stirred" implies that the speaker is on the cusp of making a change, but must first take time to reflect and understand her true self.
Overall, "He Found My Being - Set It Up" is a powerful poem that explores the concept of self-discovery and the role that others can play in helping us find our true selves. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Whether you are on a journey of self-discovery yourself or simply appreciate great poetry, this piece is a must-read.
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