'Where Thou art—that—is Home' by Emily Dickinson


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Where Thou art—that—is Home—
Cashmere—or Calvary—the same—
Degree—or Shame—
I scarce esteem Location's Name—
So I may Come—

What Thou dost—is Delight—
Bondage as Play—be sweet—
Imprisonment—Content—
And Sentence—Sacrament—
Just We two—meet—

Where Thou art not—is Woe—
Tho' Bands of Spices—row—
What Thou dost not—Despair—
Tho' Gabriel—praise me—Sire—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Where Thou art—that—is Home: An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson's poem "Where Thou art—that—is Home" is a moving piece of literature that explores the idea of home and the connection between physical and emotional spaces. With her characteristic economy of language, Dickinson manages to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few lines, leaving readers with much to ponder.

The Poem Itself

Let's start by taking a look at the poem itself:

Where Thou art—that—is Home—
Cashmere—or Calvary—the same—
Degree—or Shame—
I scarce esteem Location’s Name—
So I may Come—
What Thou dost—is Delight—
Bondage as old—
Than the Ox of Doom—
Joy as sweet—
Why blame thee, me, or Name—
Thou art inevitable, though I fear,
Thy presence is akin to Marigolds—
Elusive to the Sun—

Right from the start, we see that Dickinson is playing with the idea of home. She doesn't define it in any concrete terms, but instead seems to suggest that it's connected to wherever "Thou" is. This "Thou" could be anyone or anything—a person, a place, an idea—and that's part of the beauty of the poem. It's open to interpretation.

Dickinson goes on to say that "Cashmere" and "Calvary" are the same when it comes to home. These are two vastly different places—one is a luxurious fabric and the other is a site of religious significance—but in the context of this poem, they are equal. This suggests that home is not about the physical space itself, but rather about the emotional connection that one has to it.

The next line is particularly interesting: "Degree—or Shame—I scarce esteem Location's Name". Here, Dickinson seems to be saying that the specifics of a location aren't really important when it comes to home. Whether it's a grand mansion or a humble cottage, what matters is the feeling of belonging that one has there.

The poem takes a turn in the next line, where Dickinson says "What Thou dost—is Delight". Here, she seems to be suggesting that home isn't just about a place, but also about a feeling. Whatever "Thou" is doing is what brings delight, and that's what makes it feel like home.

Dickinson then goes on to say that this feeling of delight is as old as "Bondage—Than the Ox of Doom". This is a reference to a biblical story in which an ox is sacrificed to atone for the sins of the Israelites. Dickinson seems to be saying that this feeling of delight is primal and ancient, and that it goes beyond the physical world.

She continues in this vein, saying that this joy is "as sweet—Why blame thee, me, or Name". Here, she seems to be saying that this feeling of joy is so pure and simple that it's not worth getting caught up in the specifics of who or what is responsible for it. It just is.

Finally, Dickinson acknowledges that "Thou art inevitable, though I fear/Thy presence is akin to Marigolds". This is a reference to the fact that marigolds only bloom in the presence of the sun, and that they are elusive and hard to hold onto. Dickinson seems to be saying that this feeling of home is fleeting and hard to grasp, but that it's worth pursuing nonetheless.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? Well, that's the beauty of poetry—it's open to interpretation. But here are a few of my thoughts:

First, I think Dickinson is saying that home is more about a feeling than a physical space. It's about a sense of belonging and connection to something or someone. This is something that many people can relate to, especially those who have moved around a lot or who have had to leave a place that they love.

Second, I think Dickinson is saying that this feeling of home is ancient and primal. It's something that has been with us since the beginning of time, and it goes beyond the physical world.

Finally, I think Dickinson is acknowledging that this feeling of home is hard to hold onto. It's fleeting and elusive, like the sun shining on a patch of marigolds. But it's worth pursuing nonetheless, because it brings us joy and a sense of belonging.

Conclusion

"Where Thou art—that—is Home" is a beautiful poem that explores the idea of home in a profound and moving way. With her characteristic economy of language, Emily Dickinson manages to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few lines, leaving readers with much to ponder. Whether you interpret the poem as being about a specific person, a specific place, or something more abstract, there's no denying that it resonates with many people on a deep level.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Where Thou art—that—is Home: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry, which often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, “Where Thou art—that—is Home,” is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the concept of home and what it means to different people.

The poem begins with the line “Where Thou art—that—is Home,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “Thou” instead of “you” gives the poem a more formal and almost religious feel, which is fitting considering the spiritual themes that are explored throughout.

The next line, “Heaven is Home,” further emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the poem. Dickinson is suggesting that heaven is the ultimate home, the place where we will all eventually end up. However, she also acknowledges that this idea of heaven as home may not be universally accepted, as she goes on to say “Home is not Heaven—Home is naught.”

This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that home is not necessarily a physical place, but rather a feeling or a state of being. Dickinson seems to be saying that home is something that we carry with us wherever we go, rather than a specific location that we can return to.

The third line of the poem, “Unto the perfect Heart,” further emphasizes this idea of home as a feeling rather than a place. Dickinson is suggesting that the perfect heart, or the purest form of love and compassion, is what truly makes a home. This is a beautiful sentiment that speaks to the importance of love and connection in our lives.

The next line, “Whoever has not found a Home,” is particularly poignant. Dickinson is acknowledging that not everyone has found a home, whether that be a physical place or a feeling of belonging. This line speaks to the loneliness and isolation that many people feel, and the importance of finding a sense of home and belonging in our lives.

The final line of the poem, “Nor all the Homeless—quite,” is a powerful statement that suggests that even those who are homeless or without a physical place to call home still have a sense of home within them. This line speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, and the idea that home is something that cannot be taken away from us.

Overall, “Where Thou art—that—is Home” is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of home in a unique and spiritual way. Dickinson’s use of language and imagery creates a powerful and emotional piece that speaks to the importance of love, connection, and belonging in our lives. Whether we find our home in a physical place or within ourselves, this poem reminds us that home is something that we all need and deserve.

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