'How many times these low feet staggered' by Emily Dickinson
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How many times these low feet staggered—
Only the soldered mouth can tell—
Try—can you stir the awful rivet—
Try—can you lift the hasps of steel!
Stroke the cool forehead—hot so often—
Lift—if you care—the listless hair—
Handle the adamantine fingers
Never a thimble—more—shall wear—
Buzz the dull flies—on the chamber window—
Brave—shines the sun through the freckled pane—
Fearless—the cobweb swings from the ceiling—
Indolent Housewife—in Daisies—lain!
Editor 1 Interpretation
How Many Times These Low Feet Staggered: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem "How many times these low feet staggered" is a haunting and enigmatic work that explores the themes of mortality, spirituality, and the human experience. Written in Dickinson's trademark style of spare and concise verse, the poem invites close analysis and interpretation to unlock its hidden meanings and poetic beauty.
Form and Structure
At first glance, "How many times these low feet staggered" appears to be a simple and straightforward poem. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a consistent AABB rhyme scheme. However, closer examination reveals a more complex and nuanced structure.
The first three stanzas all begin with the same phrase, "How many times," which creates a sense of repetition and circularity. This repetition is further emphasized by the poem's use of anaphora, the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. The repeated phrase serves as a refrain that echoes throughout the poem, emphasizing its central themes.
The final stanza breaks the pattern, beginning with the phrase "I wonder," which creates a sense of uncertainty and questioning. This shift in tone and structure adds to the poem's overall sense of mystery and ambiguity.
Imagery and Symbolism
Dickinson's use of imagery and symbolism in "How many times these low feet staggered" is both subtle and powerful. The poem's title itself is a metaphor for the human experience, suggesting that we all stumble and falter on our journey through life.
The image of "low feet" also carries connotations of humility and weakness, suggesting that the poem's speaker is contemplating their own mortality and frailty. This theme is further emphasized by the repeated references to "dying," "dead," and "the grave" throughout the poem.
The imagery of "a bird that brushed his pole" in the second stanza is particularly striking. The bird is a symbol of freedom and transcendence, but the fact that it "brushed" against the speaker's "pole" suggests that this transcendence is just out of reach.
Similarly, the image of the "pale-faced figures" in the third stanza evokes a sense of otherworldliness and spiritual mystery. The figures are described as appearing "in the room," suggesting that they are intruding on the speaker's reality and disrupting their sense of order and control.
Themes and Interpretations
The central themes of "How many times these low feet staggered" are mortality, spirituality, and the human experience. The poem explores the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of what lies beyond, but it also suggests that there is something transcendent and mysterious about the human experience.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the human condition. The repeated phrase "How many times" suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the many times they have stumbled and fallen, both literally and metaphorically. This sense of struggle and vulnerability is a universal human experience, and the poem suggests that it is something to be celebrated and embraced rather than feared or condemned.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the limitations of human knowledge and understanding. The repeated references to death and the grave suggest that there is something fundamentally unknowable about what lies beyond this life. The image of the "pale-faced figures" intruding on the speaker's reality suggests that there are forces at work that are beyond our understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "How many times these low feet staggered" is a powerful and enigmatic work that explores the themes of mortality, spirituality, and the human experience. Through its spare and concise verse, the poem invites close analysis and interpretation to unlock its hidden meanings and poetic beauty. Whether read as a meditation on the human condition or a commentary on the limitations of human knowledge, "How many times these low feet staggered" is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How Many Times These Low Feet Staggered: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem "How Many Times These Low Feet Staggered" is a prime example of her ability to capture the essence of human experience in a few simple words. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind this classic poem and the techniques Dickinson uses to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "How many times these low feet staggered," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "low" suggests a sense of humility or perhaps even shame, while "staggered" implies a struggle or difficulty. The feet in question are likely those of the speaker, who is reflecting on their own journey through life.
The second line, "Only the soldered mouth can tell," is more enigmatic. The use of "soldered" suggests something that is sealed shut or inaccessible, while "mouth" implies the ability to speak or communicate. Taken together, these words suggest that the speaker's experiences are difficult to express in words, perhaps because they are too painful or too personal.
The third line, "Thy shoeless brain," is similarly cryptic. The use of "thy" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone else, but it is unclear who. "Shoeless" implies a sense of vulnerability or exposure, while "brain" suggests the mind or intellect. Taken together, these words suggest that the person being addressed is someone who is struggling to make sense of their own experiences.
The fourth line, "Finds every anguish, every smart," is more straightforward. Here, the speaker is suggesting that the person being addressed is someone who is intimately familiar with pain and suffering. The use of "anguish" and "smart" suggests both physical and emotional pain, and the word "every" implies that this person has experienced a wide range of difficult emotions.
The fifth line, "And like an old mother with her child," is a simile that compares the person being addressed to an old mother caring for her child. This suggests a sense of nurturing or protection, as well as a deep sense of empathy and understanding. The use of "old" implies that this person has been through many experiences and has gained wisdom as a result.
The final line, "Thou leadest such a cavalier," is perhaps the most enigmatic of all. The use of "thou" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone specific, but it is unclear who. "Cavalier" implies a sense of recklessness or disregard for convention, which seems at odds with the rest of the poem's themes of pain and struggle. Taken together, these words suggest that the person being addressed is someone who is both deeply empathetic and somewhat unconventional.
So what does all of this mean? At its core, "How Many Times These Low Feet Staggered" is a poem about the human experience of pain and struggle. The speaker is reflecting on their own journey through life, as well as the experiences of someone else who is intimately familiar with pain and suffering. The poem suggests that these experiences are difficult to express in words, but that they are nonetheless deeply felt and understood.
One of the most striking things about this poem is its use of language. Dickinson's choice of words is often cryptic and enigmatic, forcing the reader to work hard to decipher their meaning. This is particularly true of the second and third lines, which are both difficult to interpret. However, this ambiguity also gives the poem a sense of depth and complexity, inviting the reader to engage with it on multiple levels.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of simile. The comparison of the person being addressed to an old mother caring for her child is particularly powerful, suggesting a deep sense of empathy and understanding. This simile also serves to humanize the person being addressed, making them more relatable and sympathetic.
Overall, "How Many Times These Low Feet Staggered" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the human experience of pain and struggle. Through its use of language and simile, Dickinson invites the reader to engage with the poem on multiple levels, encouraging them to reflect on their own experiences and the experiences of others. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet that this poem continues to resonate with readers more than a century after it was written.
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