'Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?' by Emily Dickinson


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Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?
Did I sing-too loud?
But-I can say a little "Minor"
Timid as a Bird!Wouldn't the Angels try me-
Just-once-more-
Just-see-if I troubled them-
But don't-shut the door!Oh, if I-were the Gentleman
In the "White Robe"-
And they-were the little Hand-that knocked-
Could-I-forbid?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?"

Emily Dickinson's poetry is a treasure trove of enigmatic and thought-provoking pieces, and "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" is no exception. The poem, published posthumously in 1890, speaks of the speaker's longing for access to heaven, which seems to be denied to them. However, the poem's meaning is not as straightforward as it appears, and multiple interpretations can be drawn from its intricate language and imagery.

Understanding the Poem

At first glance, "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" appears to be a lamentation of the speaker's exclusion from heaven, perhaps due to their sins or unworthiness. However, as one delves deeper into the poem's language and structure, it becomes clear that the speaker's exclusion from heaven is not necessarily a literal one, but rather a metaphorical one.

The poem consists of three stanzas of four lines each, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The first stanza sets the tone of the poem and establishes the speaker's emotional state. The speaker asks why they are being excluded from heaven and wonders if it is because they are not worthy enough. The use of the word "They" in the first line is ambiguous and can refer to either the gates of heaven or a divine power that is keeping the speaker out.

The second stanza is where the poem's meaning becomes more complex. The speaker describes their attempts to gain entry into heaven, but they are met with resistance. The gates of heaven are described as being "fastened" and "bolted," indicating that they are not meant to be opened easily. The speaker's attempts to enter are further thwarted by the "Chill approach of Death," which seems to suggest that they are not yet ready to gain entry into heaven.

The third stanza can be seen as a resolution to the speaker's struggle. The speaker accepts the fact that they are not yet ready to enter heaven and that they still have work to do on earth. They acknowledge that they still have "further to go" and that they must "bide [their] time" until they are ready to gain entry into heaven.

Interpretations of the Poem

One interpretation of "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" is that it speaks to the human condition of longing for something that is out of reach. The speaker's desire to enter heaven can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for transcendence and the search for meaning in life. The gates of heaven, which are described as being "fastened" and "bolted," can be seen as a metaphor for the barriers that we face in our search for meaning and transcendence.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it speaks to Dickinson's own struggles with faith and spirituality. Dickinson was known to have a complicated relationship with religion, and this poem can be seen as a reflection of her own doubts and uncertainties about the afterlife. The speaker's attempts to gain entry into heaven and their eventual acceptance that they are not yet ready to do so can be seen as a metaphor for Dickinson's own struggles to reconcile her beliefs and doubts.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women during Dickinson's time. The speaker's struggle to gain entry into heaven can be seen as a metaphor for the societal barriers that women faced in their quest for self-expression and fulfillment. The gates of heaven, which are described as being "fastened" and "bolted," can be seen as a metaphor for the societal barriers that prevented women from achieving their full potential.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" is its use of language and imagery. Dickinson's poetry is known for its sparse and economical language, and this poem is no exception. The poem's language is simple and direct, yet it conveys a powerful emotional depth.

The poem's imagery is also noteworthy. The gates of heaven, which are described as being "fastened" and "bolted," create a powerful image of exclusion and inaccessibility. The "Chill approach of Death" is also a potent image, evoking a sense of finality and inevitability.

Conclusion

Emily Dickinson's "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that speaks to the human condition of longing for something that is out of reach. The poem's language and imagery are sparse yet potent, and multiple interpretations can be drawn from its intricate structure and symbolism. Whether it is seen as a commentary on faith, a reflection of Dickinson's own struggles, or a commentary on societal expectations, the poem remains a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven? by Emily Dickinson is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, afterlife, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's feelings of exclusion from heaven and the reasons behind it. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.

The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing an unknown audience. The opening line, "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" immediately sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker expressing confusion and frustration at being excluded from heaven. The use of the word "they" suggests that the speaker is referring to a higher power, such as God or the angels.

The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's longing for heaven and her inability to reach it. The line "Did I sing - too loud?" suggests that the speaker may have been too vocal in her beliefs or too passionate in her pursuit of heaven. The use of the word "too" implies that there is a limit to how much one can express their faith, and that the speaker may have crossed that line.

The second stanza of the poem explores the idea that the speaker may have been excluded from heaven because of her flaws and imperfections. The line "Was I - too tall to climb?" suggests that the speaker may have been too proud or arrogant to admit her faults and seek forgiveness. The use of the word "climb" implies that reaching heaven requires effort and humility, and that the speaker may have lacked these qualities.

The third stanza of the poem suggests that the speaker may have been excluded from heaven because of her doubts and uncertainties. The line "Was I - less - than they?" implies that the speaker may have felt inferior to others who had a stronger faith or a clearer understanding of the afterlife. The use of the word "less" suggests that the speaker may have lacked confidence in her beliefs and may have been hesitant to fully commit to them.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful reflection on the speaker's feelings of exclusion from heaven. The line "Then - shut the Door!" suggests that the speaker has accepted her fate and is resigned to her exclusion from heaven. The use of the word "shut" implies finality and closure, and suggests that the speaker has come to terms with her situation.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. The use of short, concise stanzas creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, and the repetition of the question "Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven?" reinforces the speaker's feelings of confusion and frustration. The use of dashes and ellipses creates a sense of hesitation and uncertainty, and suggests that the speaker is struggling to find the right words to express her thoughts and feelings.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices to convey its message. The use of rhetorical questions throughout the poem creates a sense of introspection and self-reflection, and encourages the reader to consider their own beliefs and values. The use of metaphors, such as "Did I sing - too loud?" and "Was I - too tall to climb?" creates vivid imagery and helps to convey the speaker's emotions.

The use of repetition, particularly in the final stanza, creates a sense of finality and closure, and reinforces the speaker's acceptance of her situation. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a pause, creates a sense of flow and continuity, and helps to convey the speaker's thoughts and feelings in a natural and organic way.

In conclusion, Why-do they shut Me out of Heaven? by Emily Dickinson is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, afterlife, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's feelings of exclusion from heaven and the reasons behind it. Through its use of rhetorical questions, metaphors, repetition, and enjambment, the poem creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the speaker's struggle to come to terms with her situation. Overall, the poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore complex themes and emotions, and to connect with readers on a deep and personal level.

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