'Prayer is the little implement' by Emily Dickinson
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Prayer is the little implement
Through which Men reach
Where Presence—is denied them.
They fling their Speech
By means of it—in God's Ear—
If then He hear—
This sums the Apparatus
Comprised in Prayer—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Prayer is the little implement: A Literary Analysis
Introduction
Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest poets of America, was known for her unique style of writing, which was characterized by her use of slant rhymes, unconventional punctuation, and unusual syntax. Her poetry often explored themes of death, immortality, and faith. One of her famous poems is "Prayer is the little implement," which is a short but powerful work that explores the idea of prayer and its place in our lives.
Interpretation
At first glance, "Prayer is the little implement" might seem like a simple poem about prayer. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that Dickinson is exploring the complexities of this spiritual practice. The poem opens with the line "Prayer is the little implement," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the work. The word "implement" suggests that prayer is a tool or device that we use to achieve a certain goal.
Dickinson goes on to describe prayer as "a slender, tingling rod," which suggests that it is a delicate and fragile thing. This image is reinforced by the next line, "A shaft of lightning bold," which suggests that prayer is also a powerful force that can strike at any moment. In these lines, Dickinson is exploring the duality of prayer – it is both fragile and powerful at the same time.
The following lines of the poem further highlight the importance of prayer in our lives. Dickinson writes, "Each life a lightning-rod," which suggests that prayer is a necessary tool for navigating the storms of life. She goes on to say that prayer is "a simple-sufficing hope," which suggests that it is a source of comfort and reassurance in difficult times.
The final lines of the poem, "To wielder of the will," suggest that prayer is not just a tool that we use to achieve our own goals, but also a way to align ourselves with a higher power. By praying, we acknowledge that there is something greater than ourselves at work in the world.
Analysis
One of the interesting things about "Prayer is the little implement" is the way that Dickinson uses imagery to convey her ideas. Throughout the poem, she uses images of lightning and thunder to suggest the power of prayer. This is an effective device because it helps to create a sense of urgency and importance around the idea of prayer.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that Dickinson explores the duality of prayer. On the one hand, prayer is seen as fragile and delicate – like a slender rod that could be easily broken. On the other hand, it is also seen as a powerful force – like a bolt of lightning that can strike at any moment. This duality reflects the complex nature of prayer and the many roles that it can play in our lives.
The final lines of the poem are particularly interesting because they suggest that prayer is not just a tool that we use to achieve our own goals, but also a way to align ourselves with a higher power. This idea is consistent with Dickinson's broader themes of faith and spirituality, which are present throughout much of her work.
Conclusion
"Prayer is the little implement" is a short but powerful poem that explores the complexities of prayer and its role in our lives. Through her use of imagery and language, Dickinson creates a sense of urgency and importance around the idea of prayer, while also highlighting its fragility and power. Ultimately, the poem suggests that prayer is not just a tool that we use to achieve our own goals, but also a way to align ourselves with a higher power and find comfort and reassurance in difficult times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Prayer is the little implement that Emily Dickinson wrote about in her classic poem. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the power of prayer and its role in our lives. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
First, let's examine the structure of the poem. It is a short poem, consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in iambic trimeter, which means that each line has three iambs, or sets of two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
Prayer is the little implement Through which Men reach Where Presence—is denied them.
In these lines, Dickinson is describing prayer as a tool or implement that people use to reach a place where they cannot physically go. This place is where the presence of God or a higher power is felt, but not seen or touched. The use of the word "implement" suggests that prayer is something that is practical and useful, like a tool that can be wielded to achieve a specific purpose.
The second stanza continues this theme:
They fling their speech By means of it—in God's Ear—
Here, Dickinson is emphasizing the power of prayer to connect people with God. She uses the phrase "fling their speech" to suggest that prayer is a forceful and passionate act, not a passive one. The idea of speaking "in God's Ear" suggests that prayer is a direct line of communication with the divine, and that our words are heard and understood.
The third stanza takes a slightly different turn:
If then He hear— This sums the Apparatus Up—
In these lines, Dickinson is acknowledging that there is no guarantee that our prayers will be answered. She uses the conditional "if" to suggest that there is a possibility that God may not hear our prayers, or may choose not to answer them. The phrase "sums the Apparatus Up" suggests that the entire process of prayer can be summed up in this one moment of waiting to see if our prayers will be answered.
Finally, the fourth stanza concludes the poem:
And so—When all the others die— It is the Weeping Willow An unfading tree Erected—by the Crying Wind!
Here, Dickinson is using the metaphor of a weeping willow tree to describe the enduring nature of prayer. The tree is "erected" by the "Crying Wind," which suggests that prayer is a force that is beyond our control, but that can still have a lasting impact. The image of the unfading tree suggests that prayer is something that can endure even after we are gone, and that it has a power that transcends time and space.
So what does all of this mean? At its core, Prayer is the little implement is a poem about the power of prayer to connect us with something greater than ourselves. Dickinson is suggesting that prayer is a practical tool that we can use to reach a place where we can feel the presence of God or a higher power. She also acknowledges that there is no guarantee that our prayers will be answered, but that the act of praying itself is a powerful and enduring force.
One of the things that makes this poem so powerful is its simplicity. Dickinson uses simple language and a straightforward structure to convey a complex and profound message. The poem is also deeply personal, reflecting Dickinson's own struggles with faith and spirituality. She was known for her reclusive lifestyle and her intense introspection, and this poem is a reflection of that inner world.
In conclusion, Prayer is the little implement is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the power of prayer and its role in our lives. Through its simple language and structure, Dickinson conveys a complex and profound message about the enduring nature of prayer and its ability to connect us with something greater than ourselves. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us, even in the darkest of times.
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