'It troubled me as once I was' by Emily Dickinson


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It troubled me as once I was—
For I was once a Child—
Concluding how an Atom—fell—
And yet the Heavens—held—

The Heavens weighed the most—by far—
Yet Blue—and solid—stood—
Without a Bolt—that I could prove—
Would Giants—understand?

Life set me larger—problems—
Some I shall keep—to solve
Till Algebra is easier—
Or simpler proved—above—

Then—too—be comprehended—
What sorer—puzzled me—
Why Heaven did not break away—
And tumble—Blue—on me—

Editor 1 Interpretation

It troubled me as once I was by Emily Dickinson

Oh, the beauty of Emily Dickinson's poetry! The way she manages to capture the essence of human emotions with such economy of words is truly remarkable. And her poem "It troubled me as once I was" is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in this classic poem.

Overview of the poem

"It troubled me as once I was" is a short poem consisting of two stanzas with four lines each. Here is the poem in its entirety:

It troubled me as once I was, For I was once a child, Concluding how an atom fell, And yet the Heavens – held.

The Heavens weighed the most, by far – Yet Blue – and solid – stood – Without a Bolt – that I could prove – Would Giants – understand?

Themes in the poem

One of the most prominent themes in this poem is the idea of wonder and the limitations of human understanding. The speaker recalls a time when they were a child and were troubled by the concept of an atom falling, yet the heavens remaining held. This memory highlights the speaker's sense of wonder at the mysteries of the universe, as well as their recognition of the limitations of their own understanding.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of scale and proportion. The speaker notes that the heavens weigh the most, yet are still "Blue – and solid." This juxtaposition of weight and color creates a sense of contrast and highlights the speaker's recognition of the complexity of the universe.

Symbolism in the poem

The poem also makes use of several symbols to convey its themes. The atom falling represents the limits of human understanding, while the heavens represent the vastness and complexity of the universe. The color blue, which is associated with the heavens, is often used as a symbol of depth and mystery.

The "Bolt" mentioned in the second stanza is likely a reference to lightning, which is often associated with power and force. The fact that the heavens are "Without a Bolt" that the speaker can prove underscores the idea that the universe is far beyond the grasp of human understanding.

Literary devices in the poem

One of the most striking literary devices used in this poem is Dickinson's use of capitalization. The capitalization of "Heavens" in the first stanza and "Blue" in the second stanza emphasizes the symbolic importance of these words and creates a sense of reverence for the mysteries of the universe.

Another literary device used in the poem is Dickinson's use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next without a pause. This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity in the poem, as well as emphasizing the connection between the two stanzas.

Finally, the poem makes use of Dickinson's characteristic use of dashes. The dashes serve to create pauses and breaks in the poem, which can be read as moments of reflection or contemplation on the part of the speaker.

Interpretation of the poem

"It troubled me as once I was" is a deeply reflective and contemplative poem that speaks to the complexity and mystery of the universe. The speaker's memory of being troubled by the concept of an atom falling highlights their sense of wonder and their recognition of the limits of human understanding.

The poem also underscores the importance of perspective, as the speaker notes that the heavens weigh the most, yet are still "Blue – and solid." This observation speaks to the idea that our perception of the universe is shaped by our own experiences and limitations.

Ultimately, "It troubled me as once I was" is a poem that encourages readers to embrace the mystery and wonder of the universe, even as we recognize our own limitations. Through its use of symbolism, literary devices, and themes, this poem speaks to the enduring power of human curiosity and introspection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "It troubled me as once I was" is a classic example of her unique style and approach to poetry. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the theme of identity and the struggle to maintain a sense of self in the face of external pressures and expectations.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing their sense of unease and discomfort, which is conveyed through the use of the word "troubled." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. The speaker then goes on to describe how they once felt a sense of clarity and purpose, but that this has been lost over time.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of external pressures and expectations, which are described as "the world's weight." This weight is something that the speaker feels acutely, and it is clear that it is having a negative impact on their sense of self. The use of the word "weight" is particularly effective here, as it conveys a sense of heaviness and burden that is difficult to shake off.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of memory, which is described as a "ghostly friend." This is an interesting metaphor, as it suggests that memory is both present and absent at the same time. The use of the word "ghostly" also implies that memory is something that is intangible and difficult to grasp, which is in keeping with Dickinson's overall approach to the theme of identity.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of time, which is described as a "thief." This is a powerful metaphor, as it suggests that time is something that steals from us, taking away our sense of self and leaving us feeling lost and uncertain. The use of the word "thief" also implies that time is something that is actively working against us, which adds to the sense of anxiety and unease that runs throughout the poem.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together, as the speaker reflects on their current state of being. They describe themselves as "a stranger yet," which suggests that they no longer feel a sense of connection to themselves or to the world around them. The use of the word "yet" is particularly interesting here, as it implies that there is still hope for the speaker to regain their sense of self, even though they are currently lost and uncertain.

Overall, "It troubled me as once I was" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of identity in a unique and compelling way. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson is able to convey the sense of anxiety and uncertainty that comes with trying to maintain a sense of self in the face of external pressures and expectations. This is a theme that is still relevant today, and it is one that continues to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

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