'The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea' by Emily Dickinson


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The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea—
Forgets her own locality—
As I—toward Thee—

She knows herself an incense small—
Yet small—she sighs—if All—is All
How larger—be?

The Ocean—smiles—at her Conceit—
But she, forgetting Amphitrite—
Pleads—"Me"?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Drop that Wrestles in the Sea: A Deep Dive into Dickinson's Vision

Emily Dickinson's poem, "The Drop that Wrestles in the Sea," is a remarkable piece of literature that portrays the tension between the individual and the vastness of the universe. In only six lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of human existence, the struggle for meaning and purpose, and the confrontation with the unknown. This poem is a powerful testimony to Dickinson's genius and her ability to convey complex ideas in simple, yet profound language.

The Poem

Before we delve into the interpretation of this poem, let us first take a look at the text itself:

The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea— Forgets her own locality— As I, in Thee— She knows herself an incense small— Yet, has she, all—

At first glance, this poem seems deceptively simple. It consists of three stanzas, each of two lines, and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. However, as soon as we start reading it, we realize that there is a lot going on here. The central image of the poem is that of a drop of water that is wrestling in the sea. This image is both vivid and metaphorical, and it sets the tone for the entire poem.

The Drop

Let us start by analyzing the drop itself. The drop of water is a symbol of the individual, the self, the ego. It is a small, insignificant entity that is struggling to assert itself in a vast and overwhelming environment. The drop is wrestling in the sea, trying to make its presence felt, trying to carve out a space for itself. However, in doing so, it forgets its own locality. It loses its sense of identity, its sense of self. It becomes one with the sea, and in doing so, it loses its individuality.

The Sea

The sea, on the other hand, is a symbol of the infinite, the universal, the unknown. It is vast, powerful, and all-encompassing. It represents everything that is beyond the individual, everything that is beyond our comprehension. The sea is the ultimate reality, the force that shapes our lives, and the source of all existence.

The Wrestling

The wrestling between the drop and the sea is a metaphor for the struggle between the individual and the universe. It is a struggle for meaning and purpose, for identity and significance. The drop is trying to assert itself, to make a mark, to leave a legacy. The sea is trying to absorb the drop, to dissolve it, to erase its existence. The wrestling between the drop and the sea is a struggle that we all face, a struggle that defines our lives.

The Incense

In the second stanza, Dickinson introduces the idea of the drop as an incense small. This is a beautiful image that adds another layer of meaning to the poem. The incense small is a symbol of sacrifice, of offering, of devotion. It is a small, insignificant thing that is offered up to something greater. The drop is like the incense small, offering itself up to the sea, sacrificing itself to the universal.

The All

In the final line of the poem, Dickinson brings everything together. The drop, despite its smallness, has everything. It has given itself up to the sea, and in doing so, it has become one with the universal. It has gained everything that the sea represents, everything that is beyond the individual. The drop has become part of the all, part of the infinite, part of the unknown.

Interpretation

So, what does this poem mean? What is Dickinson trying to say? There are many ways to interpret this poem, and each interpretation is valid. However, I would like to offer my own interpretation, which is based on my understanding of Dickinson's vision and her philosophy.

To me, this poem is a meditation on the human condition, on our place in the universe, and on the struggle for meaning and purpose. It is a poem that acknowledges the tension between the individual and the universal, between the finite and the infinite.

The drop, as I have said, is a symbol of the individual, the ego, the self. It is a small, insignificant thing that is struggling to assert itself in a vast and overwhelming universe. The sea, on the other hand, is a symbol of the infinite, the universal, the unknown. It is everything that is beyond the individual, everything that we cannot comprehend.

The wrestling between the drop and the sea is a metaphor for the struggle between the individual and the universe. It is a struggle for meaning and purpose, for identity and significance. The drop is trying to assert itself, to make a mark, to leave a legacy. The sea is trying to absorb the drop, to dissolve it, to erase its existence. This struggle is a constant in our lives, a struggle that defines who we are.

However, the poem suggests that this struggle is not futile. The drop, despite its smallness, has everything. It has given itself up to the sea, and in doing so, it has become one with the universal. It has gained everything that the sea represents, everything that is beyond the individual. The drop has become part of the all, part of the infinite, part of the unknown.

The incense small, which is introduced in the second stanza, is a symbol of sacrifice, of offering, of devotion. The drop is like the incense small, offering itself up to the sea, sacrificing itself to the universal. This sacrifice is not in vain. It is a way of transcending the individual, of becoming part of something greater.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem, "The Drop that Wrestles in the Sea," is a powerful meditation on the human condition, on our place in the universe, and on the struggle for meaning and purpose. It is a poem that acknowledges the tension between the individual and the universal, between the finite and the infinite. It is a poem that suggests that this struggle is not futile, that there is a way of transcending the individual and becoming part of something greater. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's genius and her ability to convey complex ideas in simple, yet profound language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning of this poem and the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line, "The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The drop is a metaphor for the individual, and the sea represents the vastness of the universe. The drop is struggling to survive in the vastness of the sea, just as the individual is struggling to find their place in the world.

The second line of the poem, "Forgets her own locality," is a reference to the drop losing its identity in the vastness of the sea. This line is significant because it highlights the struggle of the individual to find their place in the world. The drop is lost in the sea, just as the individual is lost in the world.

The third line of the poem, "As I, in thee," is a reference to the relationship between the individual and the universe. The individual is a part of the universe, just as the drop is a part of the sea. This line is significant because it highlights the interconnectedness of all things.

The fourth line of the poem, "Oh, sacred be the campaign," is a reference to the struggle of the individual to find their place in the world. The campaign is a metaphor for the struggle, and the word "sacred" emphasizes the importance of this struggle. This line is significant because it highlights the importance of the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The fifth line of the poem, "Where thy least pulse is felt," is a reference to the importance of the individual in the universe. The individual may be small, but they are still significant. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of the individual in the universe.

The sixth line of the poem, "Thy summons, Lord, rehearse," is a reference to the individual's relationship with a higher power. The individual is calling on this higher power to guide them in their struggle to find their place in the world. This line is significant because it highlights the importance of faith in the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The seventh line of the poem, "Not mine, not thine, the venture," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world is not just the individual's struggle. It is a struggle that is shared by all individuals. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of community in the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The eighth line of the poem, "But ours, who lay the stake," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world is a collective struggle. It is a struggle that is shared by all individuals. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of community in the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The ninth line of the poem, "Surf, where we cannot swim," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world is a difficult one. It is a struggle that requires courage and determination. This line is significant because it emphasizes the difficulty of the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The tenth line of the poem, "So, not to me, thy power," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world is not just about power. It is about finding one's place in the world. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of finding one's place in the world.

The eleventh line of the poem, "All, that I need, is, thy control," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world requires guidance. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of guidance in the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The twelfth line of the poem, "With thee, to lead my mind," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world requires a clear mind. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of clarity in the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "And need no other guide," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world requires a strong sense of self. This line is significant because it emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in the struggle to find one's place in the world.

The final line of the poem, "Than thee, itself, more honored," is a reference to the fact that the struggle to find one's place in the world is a noble one. This line is significant because it emphasizes the nobility of the struggle to find one's place in the world.

In conclusion, The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea is a classic poem that explores the struggle of the individual to find their place in the world. Dickinson uses metaphors and literary devices to convey her message, and the poem is a perfect example of her unique style. The poem emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and self-awareness in the struggle to find one's place in the world. It is a powerful and inspiring poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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