'One Sister have I in our house' by Emily Dickinson


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One Sister have I in our house,
And one, a hedge away.
There's only one recorded,
But both belong to me.

One came the road that I came—
And wore my last year's gown—
The other, as a bird her nest,
Builded our hearts among.

She did not sing as we did—
It was a different tune—
Herself to her a music
As Bumble bee of June.

Today is far from Childhood—
But up and down the hills
I held her hand the tighter—
Which shortened all the miles—

And still her hum
The years among,
Deceives the Butterfly;
Still in her Eye
The Violets lie
Mouldered this many May.

I spilt the dew—
But took the morn—
I chose this single star
From out the wide night's numbers—
Sue - forevermore!

Editor 1 Interpretation

One Sister have I in our house by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow, what a poem! I mean, seriously, have you read "One Sister have I in our house" by Emily Dickinson? It's a masterpiece. So much depth, so much emotion, so much to unravel. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, stylistic choices, and overall meaning of this classic poem. Buckle up, readers, we're in for a ride.

Overview

First, let's take a brief look at the poem itself. "One Sister have I in our house" is a short, six-line poem by Emily Dickinson. Here's the text in full:

One Sister have I in our house,

And one, a hedge away.

There's only one recorded,

But both belong to me.

One came the road that I came—

And wore my last year's gown—

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple description of the speaker's sisters. But, as we'll see, there's much more going on here.

Themes

One of the major themes in "One Sister have I in our house" is the idea of identity. The poem begins with the line "One Sister have I in our house," which seems to suggest that the speaker has only one sister. However, the second line complicates this idea by adding "one, a hedge away." This line implies that the speaker has another sister who is nearby, but not in the same house. The third line, "There's only one recorded," further muddies the waters by suggesting that there might be more sisters than the speaker is aware of.

The theme of identity is also present in the final three lines of the poem. The speaker notes that "One came the road that I came," which suggests that the two sisters have a shared history or experience. The line "And wore my last year's gown" implies that the two sisters have a close relationship, perhaps even sharing clothes or possessions. By highlighting these connections between the sisters, Dickinson is exploring the idea of identity as something that is not fixed, but rather something that is shaped by our relationships and experiences.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of memory. The line "And wore my last year's gown" suggests that the speaker is looking back on a past experience. The fact that the speaker is comparing the two sisters to each other also implies that the speaker is reflecting on the past. By exploring the theme of memory, Dickinson is highlighting the importance of our past experiences in shaping our identities.

Stylistic Choices

One of the most striking stylistic choices in "One Sister have I in our house" is the use of the dash. Dickinson is known for her use of dashes in her poetry, and this poem is no exception. The dashes in this poem serve to create an abrupt, fragmented rhythm that mirrors the disjointed nature of the speaker's thoughts. The dashes also create pauses in the poem, which allow the reader to reflect on the meaning of each line.

Dickinson also uses repetition in this poem to emphasize certain ideas. The repetition of the word "one" in the first three lines of the poem creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The repetition of the phrase "my last year's gown" in the final line of the poem serves to highlight the importance of this shared experience between the sisters.

Another stylistic choice that Dickinson makes in this poem is the use of imagery. The image of the hedge in the second line of the poem creates a sense of separation between the two sisters. The image of the worn gown in the final line of the poem creates a sense of intimacy and shared experience.

Interpretation

So, what does it all mean? What is Dickinson trying to say in "One Sister have I in our house"? Well, there's no one answer to that question, as with any poem. However, one interpretation of the poem is that Dickinson is exploring the idea of identity as something that is shaped by our relationships and experiences.

The ambiguity and uncertainty in the first three lines of the poem suggest that our identities are not fixed, but rather depend on our relationships with others. The fact that the speaker has more than one sister, but only one is recorded, implies that our identities are not always clear-cut or easily defined. Our identities are shaped by the people around us and the experiences we share with them.

The image of the hedge in the second line of the poem suggests that our relationships with others can create a sense of separation or distance. However, the image of the worn gown in the final line of the poem suggests that our relationships with others can also create a sense of intimacy and shared experience.

Overall, "One Sister have I in our house" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, memory, and relationships. The poem's stylistic choices, such as its use of dashes and repetition, serve to create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that reflects the complexity of the poem's themes. Dickinson's use of imagery creates a vivid and memorable picture of the speaker's relationship with her sisters and highlights the importance of our relationships in shaping our identities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "One Sister have I in our house" by Emily Dickinson is a masterpiece of poetry that explores complex themes of identity, memory, and relationships. The poem's stylistic choices and use of imagery create a vivid and memorable picture of the speaker's relationship with her sisters and highlight the importance of our relationships in shaping our identities. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just six short lines.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

One Sister have I in our house: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insight into the human condition. One of her most famous poems, "One Sister have I in our house," is a perfect example of her poetic genius. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "One Sister have I in our house." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a simple statement, but it carries a lot of weight. The use of the word "one" suggests that there is only one sister in the house, which implies that the speaker may be an only child. This sets up a sense of loneliness and isolation that runs throughout the poem.

The next line reads, "And one, a hedge away." This line introduces the idea of distance and separation. The use of the word "hedge" suggests a physical barrier between the speaker and the other sister. This could be a literal hedge, or it could be a metaphorical one, representing the emotional distance between the two sisters.

The third line reads, "There's only one recorded." This line is interesting because it suggests that there may be other sisters, but they are not recorded or acknowledged. This could be a commentary on the way women were often overlooked or dismissed in Dickinson's time. It could also be a reflection of the speaker's own feelings of being overlooked or forgotten.

The fourth line reads, "But both belong to me." This line is significant because it suggests that even though there is distance and separation between the two sisters, they still belong to each other. This could be a reflection of the bond that exists between siblings, even when they are not close.

The second stanza begins with the line, "One came the road that I came." This line suggests that the speaker and one of the sisters have had similar experiences. They have both traveled the same road, which could be a metaphor for life. This line also suggests a sense of connection between the two sisters.

The next line reads, "And wore my last year's gown." This line is interesting because it suggests that the sister who came the same road as the speaker is wearing her old clothes. This could be a reflection of the fact that they are both from the same family and have similar backgrounds. It could also be a commentary on the idea of passing things down from one generation to the next.

The third line of the second stanza reads, "The other, as a bird her nest." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of the other sister as a bird. This could be a metaphor for freedom or flight. It could also be a commentary on the fact that the other sister is not tied down to the same responsibilities as the speaker.

The final line of the second stanza reads, "Builds, busily and fond, and strengthens." This line suggests that the other sister is busy building and strengthening her nest. This could be a reflection of the fact that she is focused on her own life and goals, rather than being tied down to the same responsibilities as the speaker.

The third stanza begins with the line, "A morning for a brother." This line is interesting because it introduces the idea of a brother. This could be a reflection of the fact that the speaker is not an only child, but has a brother as well. It could also be a commentary on the fact that brothers were often given more attention and importance than sisters in Dickinson's time.

The next line reads, "And morning for a spouse." This line suggests that the speaker is married. This is significant because it introduces the idea of the speaker as an adult, rather than a child. It also suggests that the speaker has her own responsibilities and obligations, separate from her sisters.

The third line of the third stanza reads, "What morning for a father." This line is interesting because it suggests that the father is not present. This could be a reflection of the fact that fathers were often absent in Dickinson's time, due to work or other obligations. It could also be a commentary on the fact that fathers were often seen as distant or uninvolved in their children's lives.

The final line of the poem reads, "With none to 'bless us.'" This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker and her sisters are alone. There is no one to bless them or guide them. This could be a reflection of the fact that they are all adults now, and must navigate life on their own. It could also be a commentary on the fact that women were often left to fend for themselves in Dickinson's time.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, gives the poem a sense of flow and movement.

In conclusion, "One Sister have I in our house" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of loneliness, separation, and connection. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem captures the complexities of sibling relationships and the challenges of navigating life as a woman in Dickinson's time. It is a testament to Dickinson's poetic genius and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.

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