'Themself are all I have—' by Emily Dickinson
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Themself are all I have—
Myself a freckled—be—
I thought you'd choose a Velvet Cheek
Or one of Ivory—
Would you—instead of Me?
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Themself are all I have: A detailed literary criticism and interpretation
Are there any other poets in the world who can capture the complexity of the human psyche with the same precision as Emily Dickinson? She is one of those rare poets who can write with a simplicity and a depth that can only be achieved by a true master of the craft. In this essay, I will be exploring one of her most famous poems, Themself are all I have, and analyzing its themes, literary techniques, and overall significance.
Background
First, let us look at the poem itself. Themself are all I have is a short poem consisting of only four lines. It was published posthumously in 1896 in The Poems of Emily Dickinson, edited by Mabel Loomis Todd and Thomas Wentworth Higginson. The poem was originally titled "Mine by the Right of the White Election," but Dickinson's editors changed it to "Themself are all I have." The poem reads:
Themself are all I have
Themself and Cat - to close -
Themself and Love and Wraith -
I shall miss Themself the most!
Theme
One of the dominant themes in Themself are all I have is the idea of self-reliance. Dickinson is suggesting that in the end, we only have ourselves to rely on. The repetition of the word "Themself" emphasizes the importance of the self in our lives. The fact that Dickinson capitalizes the word "Themself" suggests that she is elevating the self to a higher level of importance.
The inclusion of the word "Cat" in the second line is interesting. Dickinson was known to be a lover of cats, and she often wrote about them in her poetry. Here, the cat may represent a companion, but it could also represent something more. Perhaps Dickinson is suggesting that even a cat, with its independent nature, is a reminder of the importance of self-reliance.
The third line of the poem includes the words "Love" and "Wraith." Love is an emotion that can bring people together, but it can also be a source of pain and loss. The word "Wraith," meaning ghost or apparition, suggests that Dickinson is referring to the specter of death. Together, these words suggest that even in the face of love and death, we can only rely on ourselves.
Literary Techniques
One of the most striking literary techniques used in Themself are all I have is the repetition of the word "Themself." This repetition creates a sense of emphasis and importance. By repeating the word, Dickinson is drawing attention to the self and its significance.
The poem also uses alliteration, particularly in the second line with the repetition of the "C" sound in "Cat - to close." This alliteration creates a sense of unity between the self and the cat, emphasizing their closeness.
In addition, Dickinson uses the word "miss" in the last line of the poem. This word has a double meaning, both in the sense of longing for something and in the sense of losing something. This creates a sense of ambiguity and suggests that Dickinson is referring to both the importance of the self and the pain of losing it.
Significance
Themself are all I have is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal human experience. Dickinson is reminding us that in the end, we can only rely on ourselves. The inclusion of the cat, love, and death adds depth to the poem and suggests that even in the face of these powerful forces, the self remains the most important.
The poem has also been interpreted as a reflection of Dickinson's own beliefs and experiences. Dickinson was known for her reclusive nature, and the poem may be a reflection of her reliance on herself and her cats for companionship. The reference to death, too, is significant, as Dickinson was obsessed with the idea of dying and what comes after.
Conclusion
Themself are all I have is a remarkable poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's mastery of the craft. Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and the significance of the self in our lives. The inclusion of the cat, love, and death adds depth to the poem and suggests that even in the face of these powerful forces, the self remains the most important. Dickinson's use of repetition, alliteration, and ambiguity creates a sense of emphasis and complexity that is characteristic of her poetry. Overall, Themself are all I have is a powerful reminder of the importance of the self and a testament to Dickinson's genius.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike for decades. One of her most famous poems is "Themself are all I have," which is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores themes of isolation, self-reliance, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
Analysis
The poem "Themself are all I have" is a short but powerful piece that consists of only four lines. Despite its brevity, however, the poem is packed with meaning and depth, and it has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation over the years.
The first line of the poem, "Themself are all I have," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "themself" instead of "themselves" is intentional, as it emphasizes the speaker's sense of individuality and self-reliance. The speaker is saying that they do not need anyone else to be complete or fulfilled, and that they are content with themselves as they are.
The second line of the poem, "The Methodist and the Quaker," introduces two religious denominations that are known for their emphasis on individualism and self-reliance. The Methodist tradition emphasizes the importance of personal faith and salvation, while the Quaker tradition emphasizes the inner light and conscience of each individual. By mentioning these two traditions, the speaker is highlighting the importance of self-reliance and individuality in their own life.
The third line of the poem, "The Hound, and the Unicorn," introduces two mythical creatures that represent opposing forces. The Hound is a symbol of loyalty, obedience, and the earthly realm, while the Unicorn is a symbol of purity, grace, and the spiritual realm. By mentioning these two creatures, the speaker is highlighting the tension between the earthly and spiritual realms, and the struggle to reconcile these opposing forces within oneself.
The final line of the poem, "Ere Noah was, they went a-fishing," is a reference to the biblical story of Noah's Ark. The speaker is suggesting that even before the great flood, people were still engaged in mundane activities like fishing. This line serves to emphasize the speaker's belief that life is about more than just grandiose or spiritual pursuits, and that there is value in the everyday activities of life.
Themes
The poem "Themself are all I have" explores several themes that are central to Emily Dickinson's work. One of the main themes of the poem is self-reliance and individuality. The speaker is asserting their independence and autonomy, and suggesting that they do not need anyone else to be complete or fulfilled. This theme is also reflected in the mention of the Methodist and Quaker traditions, which emphasize the importance of personal faith and conscience.
Another theme of the poem is the tension between the earthly and spiritual realms. The mention of the Hound and the Unicorn highlights this tension, and suggests that the speaker is struggling to reconcile these opposing forces within themselves. This theme is also reflected in the final line of the poem, which suggests that there is value in both grandiose and mundane pursuits.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of the human condition. The speaker is suggesting that even though they are content with themselves, they are still subject to the same struggles and challenges as everyone else. This theme is reflected in the mention of the biblical story of Noah's Ark, which serves to remind the reader that even in the face of great adversity, people still engage in everyday activities like fishing.
Structure and Literary Devices
The poem "Themself are all I have" is a short but powerful piece that is structured in a unique and unconventional way. The poem consists of only four lines, and each line is a complete sentence in and of itself. This structure serves to emphasize the importance and power of each individual line, and to create a sense of tension and contrast between them.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including alliteration, repetition, and metaphor. The use of alliteration in the second line ("The Methodist and the Quaker") serves to emphasize the importance of these two traditions, and to create a sense of unity and harmony between them. The repetition of the word "themself" throughout the poem serves to emphasize the speaker's sense of individuality and self-reliance. Finally, the metaphor of the Hound and the Unicorn serves to highlight the tension between the earthly and spiritual realms, and to suggest that the speaker is struggling to reconcile these opposing forces within themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the poem "Themself are all I have" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores themes of self-reliance, individuality, and the human condition. The poem is structured in a unique and unconventional way, and makes use of several literary devices to create a sense of tension and contrast between its four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and depth, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and contemplation for readers and scholars alike.
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