'I know some lonely Houses off the Road' by Emily Dickinson
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I know some lonely Houses off the Road
A Robber'd like the look of—
Wooden barred,
And Windows hanging low,
Inviting to—
A Portico,
Where two could creep—
One—hand the Tools—
The other peep—
To make sure All's Asleep—
Old fashioned eyes—
Not easy to surprise!
How orderly the Kitchen'd look, by night,
With just a Clock—
But they could gag the Tick—
And Mice won't bark—
And so the Walls—don't tell—
None—will—
A pair of Spectacles ajar just stir—
An Almanac's aware—
Was it the Mat—winked,
Or a Nervous Star?
The Moon—slides down the stair,
To see who's there!
There's plunder—where—
Tankard, or Spoon—
Earring—or Stone—
A Watch—Some Ancient Brooch
To match the Grandmama—
Staid sleeping—there—
Day—rattles—too
Stealth's—slow—
The Sun has got as far
As the third Sycamore—
Screams Chanticleer
"Who's there"?
And Echoes—Trains away,
Sneer—"Where"!
While the old Couple, just astir,
Fancy the Sunrise—left the door ajar!
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road - A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is a name that instantly invokes a sense of awe and wonder within the realm of poetry. Her enigmatic and cryptic style has been revered by critics and readers alike for decades. Her work is often described as haunting, full of deep mysteries that leave the reader pondering long after the poem has ended. "I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road" is one such poem that encapsulates the essence of Dickinson's style, and in this literary criticism, we shall explore the nuances and complexities of this classic piece.
Background and Context
"I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road" was written by Emily Dickinson in the mid-19th century. At this time, Dickinson was living in seclusion, rarely venturing out of her home in Amherst, Massachusetts. The poem was published posthumously in 1890, decades after Dickinson's death, along with many of her other works.
The poem is composed of four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyming scheme is ABCB, and the meter is mostly iambic. The poem's structure is simple, but the meaning behind it is anything but straightforward.
Analysis
The poem opens with the lines,
I know some lonely houses off the road A robber 'd like the look of-- Wooden barred, And windows hanging low,
The first line sets the stage for the poem, revealing that the speaker is familiar with "lonely houses off the road." The word "lonely" immediately conjures up a sense of isolation and abandonment, implying that these houses are in remote areas where few people venture. The speaker then goes on to describe the houses in a way that would appeal to a robber, with wooden bars and low-hanging windows. This line is significant as it introduces the theme of vulnerability. The houses are not only lonely but also easily accessible, making them easy targets for anyone looking to do harm.
The second stanza reads,
I think I passed a house like that On the way to school-- With the field gate open, As I neared it, too.
The speaker reveals that they have personally seen such a house "on the way to school." This line is significant as it adds a personal touch to the poem, suggesting that the speaker is recounting a real experience. The fact that the field gate is open also adds to the vulnerability theme, as it implies that the owners are not concerned about protecting their property.
The third stanza continues,
An earnest house, it seemed, To hold the noon at bay-- Austerely placed-- Austerely had
This stanza is where the poem takes a turn from describing the houses' physical appearance to their emotional state. The speaker describes the house as "earnest," indicating a sense of purpose and determination. The line "to hold the noon at bay" implies that the house is trying to withstand the harshness of the day, possibly referring to the owners' struggle to survive in a harsh environment. The repetition of the word "austerely" highlights the sense of severity and harshness surrounding the house.
The final stanza reads,
The neighbors rustle in and out-- The doors were stubborn to my knock. My politeness was a frost They vouchsafed my aching back,
The final stanza further emphasizes the theme of isolation and vulnerability. The speaker describes the neighbors as "rustling in and out," implying that they are too busy to bother with the speaker. The doors are "stubborn" to the speaker's knock, further highlighting the houses' inaccessibility. The phrase "my politeness was a frost" suggests that the speaker's attempts at being friendly are met with coldness, and the final line "they vouchsafed my aching back" implies that the speaker is physically tired and likely carrying a heavy load.
Interpretation
"I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road" is a poem that delves deep into the theme of isolation and vulnerability. The houses described in the poem are not only physically isolated but also emotionally removed from the rest of the world. The fact that the neighbors are too busy to bother with the speaker implies that the houses are in a state of neglect, and the owners are struggling to survive.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on societal norms. The fact that the speaker is met with hostility and coldness when attempting to be friendly implies that society is not always welcoming or accepting of outsiders. The houses' physical appearance, with wooden bars and low-hanging windows, further emphasizes this theme of exclusion and rejection.
The poem's simplicity and brevity make it all the more powerful. Dickinson manages to convey deep emotions and complex themes in just sixteen lines, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and revelation. The repetition of words and phrases further emphasizes the poem's themes, making it a work of literary genius.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's "I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road" is a masterpiece of poetic literature. The poem delves deep into the theme of isolation and vulnerability, exploring the complex emotions and struggles of those living in remote areas. The poem's simplicity and brevity make it all the more powerful, leaving the reader with a sense of awe and wonder. Dickinson's enigmatic style is on full display in this classic piece, making it a work of literary genius that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road: A Poetic Exploration of Solitude and Isolation
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. In her poem, "I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road," Dickinson delves into the theme of solitude and isolation, painting a vivid picture of the lonely houses that exist beyond the beaten path.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that they know of some lonely houses that exist off the road. The use of the word "know" suggests that the speaker has a personal connection to these houses, perhaps having visited them or even lived in them at some point in their life. The fact that these houses are "lonely" suggests that they are isolated and cut off from the rest of society.
Dickinson then goes on to describe the houses in detail, painting a vivid picture of their surroundings. She describes the "fields of grazing grain" that surround them, suggesting that they are located in rural areas, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The use of the word "grazing" also suggests a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, as if the houses exist in a state of harmony with nature.
The speaker then goes on to describe the houses themselves, stating that they are "all still and neat." The use of the word "still" suggests that the houses are empty and devoid of life, while the word "neat" suggests that they are well-maintained and cared for. This contrast between emptiness and order creates a sense of eerie calm, as if the houses are frozen in time.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Dickinson describes the "windows staring" and the "doors unopened." The use of the word "staring" suggests that the windows are empty and lifeless, while the doors being "unopened" suggests that the houses are abandoned and forgotten. This creates a sense of desolation and abandonment, as if the houses have been left to decay and crumble away.
Despite this sense of abandonment, the speaker still feels a sense of connection to these lonely houses. They state that they "often passed them," suggesting that they have a personal history with these houses. The use of the word "often" suggests that the speaker has made a habit of visiting these houses, perhaps finding solace in their emptiness and isolation.
The poem ends with the speaker stating that they "wondered what they cost," suggesting that they are curious about the history and value of these lonely houses. The use of the word "cost" suggests that the speaker sees these houses as valuable, perhaps even priceless, despite their state of abandonment and decay.
Overall, "I Know Some Lonely Houses off the Road" is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of solitude and isolation. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and contrasting emotions creates a sense of eerie calm that lingers long after the poem has ended. The poem reminds us that even in the midst of emptiness and abandonment, there is still beauty and value to be found.
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