'I am alive-I guess' by Emily Dickinson
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I am alive-I guess-
The Branches on my Hand
Are full of Morning Glory-
And at my finger's end-The Carmine-tingles warm-
And if I hold a Glass
Across my Mouth-it blurs it-
Physician's-proof of Breath-I am alive-because
I am not in a Room-
The Parlor-Commonly-it is-
So Visitors may come-And lean-and view it sidewise-
And add "How cold-it grew"-
And "Was it conscious-when it stepped
In Immortality?"I am alive-because
I do not own a House-
Entitled to myself-precise-
And fitting no one else-And marked my Girlhood's name-
So Visitors may know
Which Door is mine-and not
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Am Alive - I Guess: A Critical Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem
When we hear the name Emily Dickinson, we often think of the reclusive poet who lived a life of solitude in Amherst, Massachusetts. But when we read her work, we are confronted with a voice that is bold, honest, and unapologetic. Her poetry is a testament to the power of the written word, and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience is truly remarkable. In this essay, we will explore her poem "I am alive - I guess" and examine the themes of life, death, and existence that are present throughout.
An Introduction to the Poem
"I am alive - I guess" is a short poem by Emily Dickinson that was originally published in 1891, after her death. The poem is written in her signature style, with short lines, dashes, and unconventional capitalization. The poem has no title, but it is commonly referred to by its opening line. The poem reads as follows:
I am alive - I guess - The Branches on my Hand Are full of Morning Glory - And at my Finger's end -
The Carmine - tingles warm - And if I hold a Glass Across my Mouth - it blurs it - Physician's - proof of Breath -
I am alive - because I am not in the Grave - And if I were so - I'm sure I wouldn't be - here -
The poem is brief, but it packs a punch. In just a few lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of life and death, and the fragile balance between the two. The poem is also a meditation on existence, and the ways in which we can know that we are truly alive.
Themes of Life and Existence
One of the most prominent themes in "I am alive - I guess" is the theme of life and existence. Dickinson begins the poem by stating that she is alive, but she qualifies this statement by adding "I guess." This suggests that she is not entirely sure of her own existence, and that there is a sense of uncertainty that pervades her understanding of herself. This uncertainty is further reinforced by the following lines:
The Branches on my Hand Are full of Morning Glory - And at my Finger's end -
Here, Dickinson uses nature imagery to describe her own body. The "Branches on my Hand" could refer to the veins in her arm, which are compared to the delicate and beautiful Morning Glory flower. This connection between the body and nature is a common motif in Dickinson's poetry, and it suggests that the poet saw herself as part of a larger natural order. However, she also acknowledges the fragility of this connection, as seen in the line "And at my Finger's end -" which suggests that this connection could be easily severed.
The final lines of the first stanza are particularly striking:
The Carmine - tingles warm - And if I hold a Glass Across my Mouth - it blurs it - Physician's - proof of Breath -
Here, Dickinson describes the physical sensations of being alive. The "Carmine" refers to the color red, which could be interpreted as a symbol of vitality and life. The tingling warmth of the Carmine suggests a sense of aliveness, and Dickinson reinforces this with the image of a physician holding a glass across her mouth to prove that she is breathing. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the act of breathing is the ultimate proof of existence.
Exploring the Theme of Death
Despite the theme of life and existence that runs throughout "I am alive - I guess," Dickinson also explores the theme of death in this poem. Throughout the poem, there is a sense of uncertainty about life, and this uncertainty is mirrored in the uncertainty about death. Dickinson acknowledges that death is a possibility, and she even suggests that it is a certainty:
I am alive - because I am not in the Grave - And if I were so - I'm sure I wouldn't be - here -
These lines suggest that the only reason Dickinson knows she is alive is because she is not dead. They also suggest that if she were dead, she would not be able to write this poem or experience the physical sensations of being alive. This echoes the sentiments expressed in other Dickinson poems, such as "Because I could not stop for Death," in which death is personified as a kind and gentle guide.
An Exploration of Dickinson's Style
One of the most striking features of "I am alive - I guess" is Dickinson's unique style. Her use of short lines, dashes, and unconventional capitalization create a sense of fragmentation and disjointedness that is reflective of the uncertainty and ambiguity that pervades the poem. This style also creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if Dickinson is speaking directly to the reader.
Another notable feature of Dickinson's style is her use of nature imagery. Throughout her poetry, she frequently draws connections between the natural world and the human experience. In "I am alive - I guess," the use of the Morning Glory and the physician's glass both highlight the connections between the body and the natural world.
Conclusion
"I am alive - I guess" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and existence. Through her use of language and imagery, Emily Dickinson manages to capture the fragility of life and the uncertainty that pervades our understanding of ourselves. Her unique style and use of nature imagery create a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader into her world. Despite the brevity of this poem, it is a powerful testament to the power of the written word, and to the enduring legacy of one of America's greatest poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
"I am alive-I guess" by Emily Dickinson: A Poetic Exploration of Life and Death
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that explores the themes of life, death, and nature. In her poem "I am alive-I guess," Dickinson presents a thought-provoking reflection on the nature of life and the uncertainty of death. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and paradoxes, Dickinson invites the reader to contemplate the meaning of existence and the inevitability of mortality.
The Poem
I am alive—I guess—
The Branches on my Hand
Are full of Morning Glory—
And at my finger's end—
The Carmine—tingles warm—
And if I hold a Glass
Across my Mouth—it blurs it—
Physician's—proof of Breath—
I am alive—because
I am not in a Room—
The Parlor—Commonly—it is—
So Visitors may come—
And lean—and view it sidewise—
And add "How cold—it grew!"
And "Was it conscious—when it stepped
In Immortality?"
I am alive—because
I do not own a House—
Entitled to myself—precise—
And fitting no one else—
And marked my Girlhood's House
The people there—are gone—
Except the Grass—
And nobody knows I live—
The speaker begins by stating that she is alive, but with a hint of uncertainty. She describes the branches on her hand as being full of morning glory, a flower that symbolizes beauty and the fleeting nature of life. The carmine, a shade of red, tingles warm at her finger's end, suggesting the vitality of her body. She then mentions a physician's proof of breath, indicating that her physical existence is confirmed by her ability to breathe.
The second stanza presents a paradoxical reason for the speaker's existence. She is alive because she is not in a room, specifically the parlor, where visitors can view her and comment on her state of being. The visitors ask if she was conscious when she stepped into immortality, implying that death is a conscious choice. The speaker's use of the word "immortality" suggests that she is contemplating the idea of life after death.
In the final stanza, the speaker gives another reason for her existence. She does not own a house and is entitled to herself, fitting no one else. She marks her girlhood's house, but the people there are gone, and nobody knows she lives. This stanza suggests that the speaker is alone and disconnected from society, but still alive.
Analysis
"I am alive-I guess" is a poem that explores the themes of life, death, and existence. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each presenting a different reason for the speaker's existence. The first stanza describes the physical sensations of being alive, such as the tingling warmth of the carmine and the proof of breath. The second stanza presents a paradoxical reason for the speaker's existence, suggesting that life and death are intertwined. The third stanza suggests that the speaker is alive despite being alone and disconnected from society.
One of the most striking features of the poem is Dickinson's use of paradoxes. In the second stanza, she presents the paradoxical idea that the speaker is alive because she is not in a room where visitors can view her. This paradox suggests that life and death are not separate entities but are intertwined. The visitors' questions about the speaker's consciousness when she stepped into immortality imply that death is a conscious choice, further emphasizing the paradoxical nature of life and death.
Another notable feature of the poem is Dickinson's use of vivid imagery. The morning glory on the branches of the speaker's hand symbolizes the beauty and fleeting nature of life. The carmine tingling warm at her finger's end suggests the vitality of her body. The grass in the girlhood's house symbolizes the passage of time and the transience of life. These images add depth and complexity to the poem, inviting the reader to contemplate the meaning of existence and the inevitability of mortality.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy. The three stanzas each present a different reason for the speaker's existence, creating a sense of progression and development. The first stanza describes the physical sensations of being alive, the second presents a paradoxical reason for existence, and the third suggests that the speaker is alive despite being alone and disconnected from society. This structure adds depth and complexity to the poem, inviting the reader to contemplate the various facets of existence.
Conclusion
"I am alive-I guess" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and existence. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and paradoxes, Dickinson invites the reader to contemplate the meaning of existence and the inevitability of mortality. The poem's structure adds depth and complexity, creating a sense of progression and development. Overall, "I am alive-I guess" is a powerful reflection on the nature of life and the uncertainty of death, showcasing Dickinson's unique style and poetic vision.
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