'Meeting by Accident' by Emily Dickinson
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Meeting by Accident,
We hovered by design—
As often as a Century
An error so divine
Is ratified by Destiny,
But Destiny is old
And economical of Bliss
As Midas is of Gold—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Meeting by Accident by Emily Dickinson: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow! Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you just stumbled upon a hidden treasure? That's exactly how I felt the first time I read Emily Dickinson's Meeting by Accident. It's a beautiful piece of art that contains so much depth and meaning. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I'll take you on a journey through this poem, exploring its language, themes, and literary devices. Get ready to be amazed!
Background Information
Before diving into the poem, it's important to know a little bit about Emily Dickinson. She was a 19th-century poet known for her unique style of writing, which often featured unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Dickinson was a recluse who spent most of her life in her family's home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Despite her seclusion, she wrote over 1700 poems, many of which were not published until after her death.
Meeting by Accident was written in the 1860s, during a particularly prolific period for Dickinson. It was not published until 1890, four years after her death. The poem is a narrative that tells the story of two strangers who meet by chance and strike up a conversation. Let's take a closer look at the poem's language and themes.
Language
The poem opens with the line, "We meet by Accident." The word "accident" immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the meeting between the two strangers is unexpected and unplanned. The use of the word "we" indicates that the speaker is one of the two strangers.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses simple language and short sentences to convey the conversation between the two strangers. For example, one of the strangers says, "I heard your voice," to which the other replies, "You spoke of me, and then we knew." The dialogue is straightforward, but there's an underlying tension that suggests that there's more to the conversation than meets the eye.
Dickinson also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, the phrase "We talked between the rooms" is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of the conversation that took place. The repetition also creates a sense of symmetry, as if the strangers are mirroring each other's words and actions.
Themes
There are several themes that emerge from Meeting by Accident. One of the most prominent themes is chance encounters. The poem suggests that even the most seemingly meaningless encounters can have a profound impact on our lives. The strangers in the poem have a brief conversation, yet their meeting leaves a lasting impression on both of them.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the power of language. The strangers' conversation is simple, yet it reveals a depth of emotion and meaning. The line "You spoke of me, and then we knew" suggests that words have the power to create a connection between people. The strangers' conversation is a reminder that language is a powerful tool that can bring people together.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of fate. The word "accident" suggests that the meeting between the strangers was random and unplanned, but the poem also suggests that their meeting was somehow fated. The line "We talked between the rooms, until the moss had reached our lips" suggests that the strangers were meant to meet and that their conversation was an important moment in their lives.
Literary Devices
Dickinson uses several literary devices to create a sense of tension and meaning in Meeting by Accident. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The line "until the moss had reached our lips" is a vivid image that suggests the passage of time and the idea that the strangers were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't even notice the passing of time.
Dickinson also uses metaphor to create meaning in the poem. The line "You spoke of me, and then we knew" is a metaphor for the power of language to create a connection between people. The idea that the strangers "knew" each other because of their conversation suggests that language has the power to create intimacy and understanding.
Finally, Dickinson uses repetition to create a sense of symmetry and emphasis. The line "We talked between the rooms" is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of the conversation that took place. The repetition also creates a sense of symmetry, suggesting that the strangers were somehow meant to meet.
Conclusion
Meeting by Accident is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of chance encounters, the power of language, and fate. Through its use of simple language, repetition, and vivid imagery, the poem creates a sense of tension and meaning that lingers long after the final line. Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to convey complex emotions with simple language make this poem a true masterpiece. It's a hidden gem that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Meeting by Accident: A Poetic Exploration of Chance Encounters
Emily Dickinson’s Meeting by Accident is a classic poem that explores the theme of chance encounters. The poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that captures the essence of unexpected meetings and the impact they can have on our lives. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem’s meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand the message that Dickinson is trying to convey.
The poem begins with the line “I took my power in my hand” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is taking control of their own destiny and actively seeking out new experiences. This is a powerful statement that sets the stage for the chance encounter that is about to take place.
The second line of the poem, “And went against the world” further emphasizes the speaker’s determination to break free from the constraints of society and explore the unknown. This line also hints at the potential consequences of such actions, as going against the world can be a risky and dangerous endeavor.
The third line of the poem, “‘Twas not so much as David had” is a reference to the biblical story of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd boy, defeated the giant Goliath with a single stone. This line suggests that the speaker is facing a similar challenge, but instead of a physical battle, they are fighting against the odds to find something meaningful in their life.
The fourth line of the poem, “But I was twice as bold” further emphasizes the speaker’s determination and courage. They are not content with simply following in the footsteps of others, but are willing to take risks and make their own path in life.
The fifth line of the poem, “I aimed my pebble, but myself” is a metaphor for the speaker’s journey. They are not just throwing a stone, but are aiming themselves towards their goal. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of the potential consequences of their actions and is willing to accept them.
The sixth line of the poem, “Was all the one that fell” is a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker’s journey is not about the destination, but about the journey itself. The pebble that they aimed may not have hit its intended target, but the act of aiming was enough to propel them forward.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, “So takes the boy his father’s gun, / To show that he was man” is a reference to the societal expectations placed on young men to prove their masculinity. This line suggests that the speaker is challenging these expectations and is willing to take risks to prove their worth.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, “Not to the soldier quite so brave, / The row of shining rows” is a reference to military medals and honors. This line suggests that the speaker is not interested in the accolades and recognition that come with traditional forms of bravery, but is instead seeking something more personal and meaningful.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, “The foe might sooner win the day, / Than I – or retinue” is a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker is willing to face any challenge, no matter how daunting. They are not afraid of failure or defeat, but are willing to fight until the end.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, “But victory in an easier bed, / Doubtful if it lay” is a reference to the idea that true victory is not always found in the most obvious places. The speaker is willing to take risks and explore the unknown in order to find true fulfillment in their life.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem, “Leastways, my little force would show / Concussion’s chance to me” is a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker is willing to take even the smallest steps towards their goal. They are not deterred by the potential for failure, but are willing to take risks in order to learn and grow.
The seventeenth and eighteenth lines of the poem, “With martial hand, and minuet / The victory to die” is a reference to the idea that victory is not always found in battle, but can also be found in the small moments of life. The speaker is willing to embrace both the martial and the minuet, the bold and the delicate, in order to find true fulfillment in their life.
The nineteenth and twentieth lines of the poem, “To foe of his, I’m deadly foe, / None stir the second time” is a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker is not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. They are willing to fight for their beliefs, even if it means facing opposition and adversity.
The final two lines of the poem, “On whom I lay a Yellow Eye, / Or an emphatic Thumb” is a reference to the idea that chance encounters can have a profound impact on our lives. The speaker is willing to take risks and explore the unknown in order to find true fulfillment in their life, even if it means facing the unknown.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s Meeting by Accident is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of chance encounters. The poem is a beautiful and inspiring piece of literature that captures the essence of unexpected meetings and the impact they can have on our lives. Through its use of metaphor, allusion, and powerful imagery, the poem encourages us to take risks and explore the unknown in order to find true fulfillment in our lives.
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