'He scanned it—staggered—' by Emily Dickinson


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He scanned it—staggered—
Dropped the Loop
To Past or Period—
Caught helpless at a sense as if
His Mind were going blind—

Groped up, to see if God was there—
Groped backward at Himself
Caressed a Trigger absently
And wandered out of Life.

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

He scanned it—staggered— by Emily Dickinson: A Close Reading

Emily Dickinson's poem, "He scanned it—staggered—" is a haunting meditation on the power of words and their ability to unsettle the reader. In just a few short lines, Dickinson manages to convey a sense of shock and disorientation that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This essay will provide a close reading of the poem, exploring its themes, form, and language.

Theme: The Power of Words

One of the central themes of "He scanned it—staggered—" is the power of words to disrupt our understanding of the world. The poem begins with the simple act of a man scanning a piece of paper. Yet, as he reads, he becomes increasingly unsettled and finally staggers. What is it about the words on the paper that has such an effect on him? Dickinson doesn't provide any answers, but we can speculate that the man has encountered something that challenges his beliefs or his sense of self.

The poem suggests that words can have a profound impact on our emotions and our sense of self. They can shake us to our core and cause us to question our most deeply held beliefs. This is a theme that Dickinson returns to again and again in her poetry, as in "Tell all the truth but tell it slant—": "The Truth must dazzle gradually / Or every man be blind—." Here, Dickinson argues that the truth must be communicated indirectly, through metaphor and suggestion, in order to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Form: Dash and Enjambment

The form of "He scanned it—staggered—" is as striking as its content. Dickinson's use of the dash is especially notable. Throughout the poem, she employs dashes to create pauses and breaks in the lines. This gives the poem a choppy, disjointed feel that mirrors the man's own sense of disorientation. The dashes also serve to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "scanned" and "staggered," drawing our attention to the central action of the poem.

In addition to the dashes, Dickinson uses enjambment to create a sense of momentum and urgency. The lines flow into one another, without the usual breaks that would signal the end of a thought. This creates a sense of breathlessness and disorientation that echoes the man's own experience. We, as readers, are caught up in the same sense of confusion and uncertainty that he feels.

Language: Ambiguity and Suggestion

Finally, we come to Dickinson's use of language. Like many of her poems, "He scanned it—staggered—" is marked by a certain ambiguity and suggestion. Dickinson doesn't spell out exactly what the man has read or why it has affected him so deeply. Instead, she leaves it up to the reader to fill in the gaps and make their own meaning.

This ambiguity is reflected in Dickinson's use of language. She employs a number of metaphors and similes, such as "like a guilty Thing / Upon a heap of Sawdust lies," that hint at the nature of the man's discovery without giving it away. The use of figurative language also serves to heighten the sense of unreality and disorientation that permeates the poem.

Conclusion: The Unsettling Power of Poetry

In "He scanned it—staggered—," Emily Dickinson offers a powerful meditation on the unsettling power of words. Through her use of form and language, she creates a sense of disorientation and ambiguity that draws the reader in and leaves them shaken. The poem speaks to the deeper truths of human experience, reminding us that words have the power to challenge us, to change us, and to leave us reeling. In this way, Dickinson's poetry remains as relevant and powerful today as it was when it was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

He scanned it—staggered— is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind this poem, and explore the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line "He scanned it—staggered—," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the em dash in place of a comma or period is a common feature of Dickinson's writing, and it serves to create a sense of abruptness and urgency. The word "scanned" suggests that the subject of the poem is reading or examining something closely, and the word "staggered" implies that he is shocked or overwhelmed by what he has discovered.

The second line of the poem reads, "—Dropped the Loop"—, which is another example of Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation. The em dash at the beginning of the line suggests that it is a continuation of the first line, and the capitalization of "Dropped" draws attention to this action. The word "Loop" is ambiguous and could refer to a physical object, such as a noose or a lasso, or it could be a metaphor for a concept or idea. This ambiguity adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue in the poem.

The third line of the poem reads, "The Fathomless of [the] whole"—. The use of brackets around the word "the" suggests that it may have been added by an editor, as it is not necessary for the grammatical structure of the sentence. The word "Fathomless" suggests that the subject of the poem has discovered something that is beyond his comprehension or understanding. The use of the word "whole" implies that this discovery is all-encompassing and has profound implications.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "As Naught had been before—". The use of the word "Naught" instead of "nothing" is another example of Dickinson's unconventional use of language. The word "before" suggests that the subject of the poem has discovered something that is unprecedented or has never been seen or experienced before.

The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "But felt as if the [the] Abyss"—. Again, the use of brackets around the word "the" suggests that it may have been added by an editor. The word "Abyss" is a powerful metaphor for something that is deep, dark, and mysterious. The use of the word "felt" suggests that the subject of the poem is experiencing a visceral reaction to his discovery, rather than simply understanding it intellectually.

Overall, He scanned it—staggered— is a poem that explores the theme of discovery and the profound impact that it can have on an individual. The use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax serves to create a sense of urgency and mystery, and the ambiguous language adds to the sense of intrigue. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through her poetry.

In terms of literary devices, He scanned it—staggered— makes use of several key techniques to convey its message. One of the most notable is the use of metaphor, particularly the metaphor of the Abyss. This metaphor serves to create a sense of depth and mystery, and it adds to the overall sense of awe and wonder that the poem evokes.

Another important literary device used in the poem is the use of ambiguity. The word "Loop" is a prime example of this, as it could refer to a physical object or a metaphorical concept. This ambiguity adds to the sense of intrigue and mystery in the poem, and it encourages the reader to think deeply about the meaning behind the words.

Finally, the use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax is a hallmark of Dickinson's writing style. The em dashes, capitalization of certain words, and use of brackets all serve to create a sense of urgency and mystery, and they add to the overall impact of the poem.

In conclusion, He scanned it—staggered— is a classic poem that explores the theme of discovery and the profound impact that it can have on an individual. Through its use of metaphor, ambiguity, and unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, the poem creates a sense of awe and wonder that is characteristic of Dickinson's unique writing style. This poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to convey complex ideas and emotions in a concise and impactful way.

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