'Of all the Souls that stand create' by Emily Dickinson


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Of all the Souls that stand create—
I have elected—One—
When Sense from Spirit—files away—
And Subterfuge—is done—
When that which is—and that which was—
Apart—intrinsic—stand—
And this brief Drama in the flesh—
Is shifted—like a Sand—
When Figures show their royal Front—
And Mists—are carved away,
Behold the Atom—I preferred—
To all the lists of Clay!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Of all the Souls that stand create: A Critical Interpretation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works, though few in number, have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. One of her most famous poems is "Of all the Souls that stand create," which is a powerful expression of her beliefs about the soul and its connection to the universe. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem.

Overview of the Poem

"Of all the Souls that stand create" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. It was written by Emily Dickinson in the mid-1800s and was published posthumously in 1891. The poem is notable for its simplicity and brevity, yet it contains a profound message about the nature of the soul and its relationship to the universe.

Literary Analysis

The poem begins with the line "Of all the Souls that stand create," which immediately establishes the theme of the poem. The word "Souls" is capitalized, indicating that Dickinson is referring to something beyond the physical body. She is referring to the essence of humanity, the spiritual aspect of our being that transcends our physical form. The use of the word "create" also suggests that our souls were intentionally designed or crafted by a higher power.

The second line of the first stanza is "I have elected One." This line is significant because it suggests that Dickinson has chosen a particular soul to focus on. This soul is likely her own, although it could also be a representation of all souls. By electing one soul, Dickinson is emphasizing the individual nature of our spiritual selves.

The second stanza reads, "When sense from Spirit files away, / And Subterfuge is done." The first line refers to the idea that our senses, which are connected to the physical body, can distract us from our spiritual nature. When we strip away these distractions and focus on our souls, we are better able to understand our place in the universe. The second line suggests that we must be honest with ourselves and remove any subterfuge, or deceit, that might be clouding our vision.

The third stanza reads, "When that which is and that which was / Apart, intrinsic, stand." This line is perhaps the most enigmatic in the poem. The use of the word "intrinsic" suggests that there is an essential quality to our souls that is separate from the physical world. The line also suggests that our souls exist beyond time and space, as "that which is and that which was" implies a timeless quality.

The final stanza reads, "And this brief Drama in the flesh / Is shifted like a Sand." This line reinforces the idea that our physical bodies are temporary, shifting like sand. The use of the word "Drama" suggests that our lives are like a play, with a beginning and an end. However, the soul, which is eternal, continues beyond the end of the play.

Interpretation

"Of all the Souls that stand create" is a contemplation on the nature of the soul and its relationship to the physical world. Dickinson suggests that our souls are something beyond our physical bodies, and that they were intentionally created by a higher power. She encourages us to focus on our spiritual selves, stripping away any distractions or deceit, in order to better understand our place in the universe.

The poem also emphasizes the individual nature of our souls. Dickinson elects one soul to focus on, suggesting that our spiritual selves are unique and individual. However, she also suggests that there is an intrinsic quality to our souls that is separate from the physical world.

The final stanza of the poem reinforces the idea that our physical bodies are temporary, while our souls continue beyond the end of our lives. Dickinson suggests that our lives are like a brief drama, with our physical bodies shifting like sand. However, our souls are eternal and continue beyond the end of the play.

Conclusion

"Of all the Souls that stand create" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of the soul and its relationship to the universe. Dickinson's use of simple language and brevity belies the depth of her message, which encourages us to focus on our spiritual selves and understand our place in the cosmos. The poem serves as a reminder that our physical bodies are fleeting, but our souls continue beyond the end of our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Of all the Souls that stand create, written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This poem is a beautiful and profound reflection on the human soul and its relationship with the divine. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "Of all the Souls that stand create," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "create" suggests that the speaker is referring to all souls that have been created by a higher power, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The speaker then goes on to say, "I have elected One," which suggests that the speaker has chosen a particular soul to focus on. This soul is likely a reference to Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "chosen one" in Christian theology.

The next line of the poem reads, "When sense from spirit files away," which suggests that the speaker is referring to the separation of the physical body from the soul. This separation is often associated with death, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The use of the word "files" suggests that this separation is a gradual process, rather than a sudden event.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly interesting, as they describe the relationship between the soul and the divine. The speaker says, "For One, for Him, I have exchanged," which suggests that the speaker has given up something in exchange for this chosen soul. This could be a reference to the idea of sacrifice, which is a common theme in Christian theology. The speaker then goes on to say, "All all for Him hath been forsaken," which suggests that the speaker has given up everything for this chosen soul. This could be a reference to the idea of surrendering oneself to God, which is also a common theme in Christian theology.

The next line of the poem reads, "All all to Him is fled," which suggests that the speaker has given everything to this chosen soul. This could be a reference to the idea of devotion, which is also a common theme in Christian theology. The speaker then goes on to say, "My thoughts, my words, my looks, my ways," which suggests that the speaker has given up everything that makes them who they are in order to devote themselves to this chosen soul.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they describe the ultimate goal of the human soul. The speaker says, "My soul doth lean on Him alone," which suggests that the ultimate goal of the human soul is to lean on the divine. This could be a reference to the idea of salvation, which is a central theme in Christian theology. The speaker then goes on to say, "Mercy, infinite and free," which suggests that the divine is merciful and forgiving. This is a common theme in Christian theology, as the idea of forgiveness is central to the Christian faith.

Overall, Of all the Souls that stand create is a beautiful and profound reflection on the human soul and its relationship with the divine. The poem explores themes of sacrifice, surrender, devotion, and salvation, all of which are central to Christian theology. The use of imagery and language is particularly powerful, as it helps to convey the depth and complexity of these themes. This poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet, and it is no wonder that it has stood the test of time.

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