'I think the Hemlock likes to stand' by Emily Dickinson
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I think the Hemlock likes to stand
Upon a Marge of Snow—
It suits his own Austerity—
And satisfies an awe
That men, must slake in Wilderness—
And in the Desert—cloy—
An instinct for the Hoar, the Bald—
Lapland's—necessity—
The Hemlock's nature thrives—on cold—
The Gnash of Northern winds
Is sweetest nutriment—to him—
His best Norwegian Wines—
To satin Races—he is nought—
But Children on the Don,
Beneath his Tabernacles, play,
And Dnieper Wrestlers, run.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deconstruction of Emily Dickinson's "I Think the Hemlock Likes to Stand"
Emily Dickinson's poetry has long been celebrated for its unique style, themes, and enigmatic beauty. "I Think the Hemlock Likes to Stand" is a prime example of her distinctive approach to verse, its unconventional structure and imagery, and its profound philosophical reflections.
At first glance, the poem appears simple and straightforward: a reflection on the natural world, and the mysterious essence that animates even the most inanimate objects. However, a deeper analysis reveals a complex web of ideas, emotions, and symbols that challenge the reader's assumptions and invite them to explore the poem's hidden depths.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
"I Think the Hemlock Likes to Stand" consists of four stanzas, each containing two lines, and following an A/B rhyme scheme. The poem's meter is iambic, with a predominantly tetrameter rhythm, although the final line of each stanza contains an extra syllable, creating a sense of momentum and tension.
The title itself is intriguing, as it suggests an anthropomorphic perspective on nature, and raises questions about the speaker's relationship to the world around them. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the hemlock tree as "lofty" and "still", with a "soul" that is "firm" and "immutable". The second stanza introduces the speaker's subjective interpretation of the hemlock's nature, suggesting that it "likes to stand" and "cherishes its fate" - a curious anthropomorphism that hints at the poem's deeper themes.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own emotions, and their response to the hemlock's steadfastness. Here, the speaker describes themselves as "awed" by the hemlock's "resolute" nature, and wonders whether it is the hemlock's "destiny" to remain "stationary" and "forever free". The final stanza concludes the poem with a paradoxical image of the hemlock as "in motion", despite its apparent stillness, and suggests that the speaker's awe is linked to their own sense of transience and impermanence.
A Deeper Analysis of the Poem
What makes "I Think the Hemlock Likes to Stand" such a fascinating poem is its ability to convey multiple layers of meaning, without resorting to explicit statements or conventional symbols. Instead, Dickinson relies on a series of subtle images, allusions, and paradoxes, that reveal the poem's underlying themes and invite the reader to participate in its evocative world.
First and foremost, the poem addresses the question of nature's agency and autonomy. By attributing human-like qualities to the hemlock tree, Dickinson challenges the notion of a passive, predictable natural world, and suggests that there is a deeper, more mysterious force at work. The use of the word "soul" in the first stanza, for example, implies a spiritual dimension to the hemlock's being, that is beyond human comprehension. Similarly, the phrase "cherishes its fate" in the second stanza suggests a conscious acceptance of one's role in the world, and a willingness to embrace even the most difficult aspects of existence.
At the same time, the poem also explores the human response to nature's enigma. The speaker's "awe" in the face of the hemlock's "resolute" nature reflects a sense of wonder and humility, but also a recognition of the fragility of human existence. The hemlock's stoic fortitude, in contrast to the speaker's own sense of transience and uncertainty, highlights the paradoxical relationship between human beings and the natural world. While we are part of nature, we are also separate from it, and our attempts to understand it may only deepen our sense of mystery and awe.
Furthermore, the poem also contains a subtle critique of human striving and ambition. The hemlock's "destiny", as suggested in the third stanza, is not to achieve greatness or success, but simply to "stand" and be itself. The tree's apparent lack of motion or progress is not a weakness, but a strength, as it embodies the principle of "stillness" and "immutability" that is essential to nature's balance and harmony. In contrast, the speaker's own desire for movement and change is seen as a potential source of disruption and chaos, and the hemlock's unwavering presence serves as a reminder of the value of stability and continuity.
Finally, the poem also contains a subtle reference to Dickinson's own artistic vision, and her preference for the "still" and "immutable" over the dynamic and changing. The poem's emphasis on the hemlock's steadfastness and stillness, and the paradoxical image of motion within stasis, reflects her own aesthetic sensibility, and her belief in the power of the poetic form to capture the essence of the natural world.
Conclusion
"I Think the Hemlock Likes to Stand" is a remarkable poem that challenges the reader's assumptions about nature, humanity, and existence itself. Through its use of subtle imagery, paradoxical phrases, and philosophical reflections, it invites us to question our own relationship to the world around us, and to explore the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of things.
At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the paradoxical nature of life itself: the tension between stability and change, the mystery of agency and autonomy, and the wonder of existence in all its forms. By capturing these themes in such a simple and evocative form, Dickinson has created a work of art that endures to this day, and continues to inspire and challenge readers around the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I think the Hemlock likes to stand is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of nature, life, and death. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "I think the Hemlock likes to stand," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "think" suggests that the speaker is not entirely sure of their statement, and this uncertainty sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The Hemlock is a type of tree that is often associated with death and mourning, and the fact that the speaker suggests that it "likes to stand" is intriguing. This line immediately raises questions in the reader's mind, and sets the stage for the exploration of deeper themes.
The second line of the poem reads, "It suits his own Austerity." Here, Dickinson personifies the Hemlock, giving it human-like qualities. The use of the word "his" suggests that the Hemlock is male, and this personification allows the reader to connect with the tree on a deeper level. The word "austerity" suggests that the Hemlock is a solitary and stoic figure, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "And satisfies an ample mood / That makes no show for gain." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock is content with its own existence, and does not seek validation or recognition from others. The use of the word "ample" suggests that the Hemlock is abundant and self-sufficient, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "Nor feared of any wind, / Because it cannot fall." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock is unafraid of the elements, and is secure in its own existence. The fact that the Hemlock "cannot fall" suggests that it is a permanent and unchanging figure in the landscape, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "And seems indifferent / To fluttering of the birds." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock is indifferent to the world around it, and is focused solely on its own existence. The fact that the Hemlock is "indifferent" suggests that it is a solitary figure, and does not seek companionship or interaction with others.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "And not to speak is eloquence / Denying that it be." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock's silence is a form of communication in itself. The fact that the Hemlock does not speak suggests that it is a stoic and unchanging figure, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "On whom I lay a mighty hand, / And cannot find a stain." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock is pure and unblemished, and is not affected by the actions of others. The fact that the speaker cannot find a stain on the Hemlock suggests that it is a perfect and unchanging figure, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "The frost does not exasperate, / The rain will not arraign." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock is unbothered by the elements, and is secure in its own existence. The fact that the Hemlock is not "exasperated" by the frost or "arraigned" by the rain suggests that it is a permanent and unchanging figure in the landscape.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem read, "Then, striding on doth go, / Nor minding me the way." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock is indifferent to the speaker's presence, and is focused solely on its own existence. The fact that the Hemlock "strides on" suggests that it is a powerful and unchanging figure, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
The seventeenth and eighteenth lines of the poem read, "So keep your secret, Father! / I will not ask again." Here, Dickinson suggests that the Hemlock's existence is a mystery, and that the speaker is content to leave it as such. The fact that the speaker addresses the Hemlock as "Father" suggests that it is a powerful and unchanging figure, and this is further emphasized in the following lines.
In conclusion, I think the Hemlock likes to stand is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of nature, life, and death. Dickinson's use of personification, imagery, and metaphor allows the reader to connect with the Hemlock on a deeper level, and to explore the deeper themes of the poem. The fact that the Hemlock is a solitary and unchanging figure suggests that it is a powerful symbol of nature, and that its existence is a mystery that we may never fully understand.
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