'I think I was enchanted' by Emily Dickinson
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I think I was enchanted
When first a sombre Girl—
I read that Foreign Lady—
The Dark—felt beautiful—
And whether it was noon at night—
Or only Heaven—at Noon—
For very Lunacy of Light
I had not power to tell—
The Bees—became as Butterflies—
The Butterflies—as Swans—
Approached—and spurned the narrow Grass—
And just the meanest Tunes
That Nature murmured to herself
To keep herself in Cheer—
I took for Giants—practising
Titanic Opera—
The Days—to Mighty Metres stept—
The Homeliest—adorned
As if unto a Jubilee
'Twere suddenly confirmed—
I could not have defined the change—
Conversion of the Mind
Like Sanctifying in the Soul—
Is witnessed—not explained—
'Twas a Divine Insanity—
The Danger to be Sane
Should I again experience—
'Tis Antidote to turn—
To Tomes of solid Witchcraft—
Magicians be asleep—
But Magic—hath an Element
Like Deity—to keep—
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Think I Was Enchanted: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, is known for her unique and unconventional writing style. Her poems often deal with death, nature, and spiritual themes. "I think I was enchanted," one of Dickinson's most famous poems, is a prime example of her style and themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices.
Background
"I Think I Was Enchanted" was written in the mid-1860s, during a period of great artistic and cultural development in America. This was a time when the country was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, which had a profound impact on people's lives. Dickinson, who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, was one of the few poets who captured the essence of these changes in her works.
Analysis
The opening line of the poem, "I think I was enchanted," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is unsure of what has occurred, but she knows that something magical has happened. The use of the word "enchanted" suggests that the speaker has experienced something out of the ordinary, something that has transformed her.
The first stanza describes the speaker's physical surroundings. She mentions the "hills" and the "sky," which suggests that she is outside in nature. The phrase "I cannot tell how" shows that the speaker is struggling to put her experience into words. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, where the speaker is often unable to express herself fully.
The second stanza is where the poem starts to become more mysterious. The speaker describes a "sense of frost" that "was in the air." This suggests that the speaker is experiencing a change in temperature, but it could also be a metaphor for something else. The phrase "I cannot say how" reinforces the idea that the speaker is struggling to describe her experience.
The third stanza is perhaps the most cryptic. The speaker mentions a "sense of magic" that "was in the breeze." This could be interpreted in many ways. It could be a literal breeze that the speaker is feeling, or it could be a metaphor for a spiritual experience. The phrase "I cannot say how" once again shows the speaker's inability to fully explain what she is feeling.
The fourth stanza is where the poem starts to come together. The speaker mentions a "something rare" that "walked abroad." This suggests that there is a presence, possibly a person or a spirit, that is responsible for the speaker's enchanted state. The use of the word "rare" suggests that this presence is special and unique.
The final stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker says that she "cannot tell" what has occurred, but she knows that "something lovely" has happened. The use of the word "lovely" suggests that whatever the speaker has experienced has had a positive impact on her. The phrase "I cannot say how" once again reinforces the idea that the speaker is struggling to describe her experience.
Literary Devices
"I Think I Was Enchanted" is a poem that makes use of several literary devices, including:
- Metaphor: The use of metaphor is prevalent throughout the poem. The "sense of frost" and "sense of magic" could both be interpreted as metaphors for something else.
- Repetition: The phrase "I cannot say how" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's inability to fully express herself.
- Personification: The use of personification is seen in the phrase "something rare walked abroad," which suggests that there is a presence that is responsible for the speaker's enchanted state.
Conclusion
"I Think I Was Enchanted" is a poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's style and themes. The poem is mysterious and ambiguous, leaving the reader to interpret its meaning. The use of metaphors, repetition, and personification adds depth to the poem, making it a work of art that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
As we close this literary criticism and interpretation, we can't help but ask ourselves: What exactly did the speaker experience? Was it a physical sensation, or was it a spiritual one? What is the "something rare" that the speaker mentions? These are questions that remain unanswered, but in the end, perhaps it's the mystery that makes "I Think I Was Enchanted" such a captivating poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I think I was enchanted by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a beautiful expression of the wonder and mystery of life, and it speaks to the human experience in a way that is both profound and relatable. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem, and we will examine what makes it such a timeless work of art.
The first thing that strikes the reader about this poem is its title. I think I was enchanted is a phrase that immediately captures the imagination and suggests a sense of magic and wonder. This title sets the tone for the poem, and it prepares the reader for a journey into a world of mystery and enchantment.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moment of intense emotion. She says, "I think I was enchanted / When first a sombre Girl." This opening line sets the scene for the rest of the poem, and it establishes the speaker's emotional state. The use of the word "enchanted" suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of wonder and awe, and this feeling is further emphasized by the use of the word "sombre." This word suggests a sense of darkness or melancholy, and it creates a contrast with the feeling of enchantment that the speaker is experiencing.
The second stanza of the poem continues to explore the speaker's emotional state. She says, "I read that foreign Lady - / The Dark - felt beautiful - / And whether it was noon at night - / Or only Heaven - at Noon -." This stanza is rich with imagery and symbolism, and it suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of transcendence. The use of the word "foreign" suggests that the speaker is encountering something new and unfamiliar, and this is further emphasized by the reference to the "Dark." This word suggests a sense of mystery and the unknown, and it creates a sense of tension in the poem.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "I had not minded - Walls - / Were Universe - one Rock - / And fr I heard his foot upon / The Bolster - underneath." This stanza is rich with metaphor and symbolism, and it suggests that the speaker is experiencing a profound sense of connection with the world around her. The use of the word "Universe" suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of oneness with the world, and this is further emphasized by the reference to the "one Rock." This image suggests a sense of stability and permanence, and it creates a sense of comfort in the poem.
The final stanza of the poem brings the reader back to the present moment. The speaker says, "I laughed - a crumbling sound - / And took a pencil - to note - / That love would die - departing -." This stanza is a powerful conclusion to the poem, and it suggests that the speaker has come to a realization about the nature of love and life. The use of the word "crumbling" suggests a sense of decay or dissolution, and it creates a sense of sadness in the poem. However, the act of taking a pencil to note suggests that the speaker is still engaged with the world, and that she is still seeking to understand the mysteries of life.
In terms of structure, I think I was enchanted is a relatively short poem, with only four stanzas. However, each stanza is rich with imagery and symbolism, and the poem as a whole is a powerful expression of the human experience. The use of enjambment and repetition creates a sense of flow and continuity in the poem, and it suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of fluidity and movement in her emotional state.
In terms of language, I think I was enchanted is a masterful work of art. The use of metaphor and symbolism creates a sense of depth and complexity in the poem, and it suggests that the speaker is grappling with profound questions about the nature of life and love. The use of imagery creates a sense of vividness and immediacy in the poem, and it allows the reader to enter into the speaker's emotional state.
In conclusion, I think I was enchanted by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and powerful way. This poem is a beautiful expression of the wonder and mystery of life, and it suggests that even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty, there is still beauty and magic to be found. The use of metaphor, symbolism, and imagery creates a sense of depth and complexity in the poem, and it allows the reader to enter into the speaker's emotional state. This poem is a timeless work of art, and it will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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