'He strained my faith' by Emily Dickinson
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He strained my faith—
Did he find it supple?
Shook my strong trust—
Did it then—yield?
Hurled my belief—
But—did he shatter—it?
Racked—with suspense—
Not a nerve failed!
Wrung me—with Anguish—
But I never doubted him—
'Tho' for what wrong
He did never say—
Stabbed—while I sued
His sweet forgiveness—
Jesus—it's your little "John"!
Don't you know—me?
Editor 1 Interpretation
"He strained my faith" by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Analysis
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her poetry is deeply personal and introspective, exploring themes of death, love, and faith. In "He strained my faith," Dickinson delves into the complex relationship between faith and doubt, and how it shapes our understanding of the world around us.
The poem is structured in four quatrains, each containing an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of a consistent rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of order and structure, which contrasts with the chaotic emotions explored in the verses.
The First Stanza
The first stanza begins with the line, "He strained my faith." The use of the word "strained" immediately sets a tone of tension and struggle. The speaker is questioning their faith, and this struggle is evident in the words that follow.
"He tore my thoughts away" is a powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker's thoughts were firmly rooted in their faith, but have now been forcefully removed. The use of the word "tore" is significant here, as it suggests violence and pain.
The speaker then says, "From comfort and from daylight." This line is interesting because it suggests that faith is a source of comfort and light. However, the use of the word "from" suggests that the speaker has been removed from this comfort and light, further emphasizing the struggle and tension in the poem.
The final line of the stanza, "And put them lowly out of sight," is significant because it suggests that the speaker's faith has been completely obliterated. The use of the word "lowly" suggests that the speaker's faith was once something valued and respected, but has now been reduced to something insignificant and unimportant.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza continues the theme of struggle and tension, with the speaker saying, "A troubled, thinking, heart." The use of the word "troubled" once again emphasizes the emotional turmoil that the speaker is experiencing.
The speaker then says, "That was too brave to ask." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker was too brave to question their faith. The use of the word "brave" suggests that questioning one's faith is seen as a weakness or a failure.
However, the speaker's faith has been "crushed," and they are now forced to question everything they once believed in. The use of the word "crushed" is significant because it suggests that the speaker's faith was once strong and resilient, but has been destroyed by external forces.
The final line of the stanza, "He tore it, shattered, in my face," is a powerful image. The use of the word "shattered" suggests that the speaker's faith has been completely destroyed, and the use of the phrase "in my face" suggests that this destruction was done deliberately and maliciously.
The Third Stanza
The third stanza continues the theme of struggle and tension, with the speaker saying, "Have shattered it – to bits." The use of the phrase "to bits" once again emphasizes the complete destruction of the speaker's faith.
The speaker then says, "And called me to my feet." This line is significant because it suggests that the destruction of the speaker's faith has forced them to stand up and face the world without the comfort and support of their beliefs.
The use of the word "called" is interesting here, as it suggests that the destruction of the speaker's faith was done deliberately, and with a purpose.
The final line of the stanza, "Anchorless – forsook my soul," is a powerful image. The use of the word "anchorless" suggests that the speaker is adrift and without direction or purpose. The use of the phrase "forsook my soul" suggests that the speaker's faith was once a vital part of their identity, but has now been abandoned.
The Fourth Stanza
The fourth and final stanza of the poem brings the theme of struggle and tension to a close, with the speaker saying, "He hurt me – gave my life a blow." The use of the word "hurt" once again suggests that the destruction of the speaker's faith was a deliberate and painful process.
The use of the phrase "gave my life a blow" is significant because it suggests that the speaker's faith was not just a belief system, but a vital part of their identity and existence.
The final two lines of the poem, "So hopeless I had died – but for an oath," are a powerful conclusion to the poem. The use of the word "hopeless" once again suggests that the destruction of the speaker's faith has left them without direction or purpose.
However, the speaker has not given up entirely. The use of the word "oath" suggests that the speaker has made a commitment to something new, something that may provide a sense of comfort and direction in the absence of their faith.
Conclusion
In "He strained my faith," Emily Dickinson explores the complex relationship between faith and doubt. The poem is structured in four quatrains, each containing an ABAB rhyme scheme.
The use of a consistent rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of order and structure, which contrasts with the chaotic emotions explored in the verses.
The poem is a powerful exploration of the struggle and tension that comes with questioning one's faith. The destruction of the speaker's faith is a deliberate and painful process, and the poem emphasizes the impact that this destruction has on the speaker's identity and existence.
Despite the pain and hopelessness explored in the poem, the final lines suggest that the speaker has not given up entirely, and may have found a new source of comfort and direction.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
He Strained My Faith: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and challenge readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "He strained my faith," a powerful and enigmatic piece that explores the nature of faith, doubt, and the human experience. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the line "He strained my faith," immediately setting a tone of tension and conflict. The identity of the "He" in question is never explicitly stated, leaving the reader to interpret the poem in their own way. Some have suggested that the "He" could be God, while others see it as a metaphor for a difficult life experience or personal struggle. Regardless of the interpretation, the line sets the stage for a poem that will grapple with the challenges of faith and belief.
The second line of the poem reads, "Did he find it supple?" Here, Dickinson introduces the idea of faith as something that can be tested and strained. The word "supple" suggests flexibility and adaptability, implying that faith must be able to bend and stretch in order to withstand the challenges it faces. The question of whether or not the "He" in question found the speaker's faith to be supple is left unanswered, adding to the sense of uncertainty and tension in the poem.
The third line of the poem reads, "Shook my faith like a figure." Here, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to convey the physical and emotional impact of the "He's" actions. The word "shook" suggests violence and instability, while the comparison to a "figure" adds a sense of artistry and beauty to the image. The use of the word "my" in this line also emphasizes the personal nature of the speaker's experience, suggesting that this is not a universal struggle but rather a specific and individual one.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Quivered to itself like a concert." Here, Dickinson continues to use vivid and unexpected imagery to convey the speaker's experience. The comparison to a concert suggests a sense of harmony and unity, but the use of the word "quivered" adds a sense of instability and uncertainty. The line also introduces the idea of faith as something that exists within the self, rather than as an external force or entity.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Bloated, like a bubble." Here, Dickinson uses a simile to compare the speaker's faith to a bubble that has been inflated to the point of bursting. The word "bloated" suggests excess and overindulgence, while the comparison to a bubble adds a sense of fragility and impermanence. This line suggests that the "He's" actions have caused the speaker's faith to become inflated and unstable, on the verge of collapsing.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Bursting with meaning." Here, Dickinson uses a paradoxical statement to suggest that even as the speaker's faith is on the verge of collapse, it is also filled with a sense of significance and importance. The use of the word "bursting" suggests a sense of energy and vitality, while the phrase "with meaning" adds a sense of purpose and depth. This line suggests that even in moments of doubt and uncertainty, faith can still hold great meaning and value.
The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "I had faith, and I still have faith." Here, Dickinson brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of faith that was introduced in the first line. The repetition of the word "faith" emphasizes its importance and centrality to the poem, while the use of the past and present tense suggests a sense of continuity and endurance. This line suggests that even in the face of doubt and uncertainty, faith can endure and persist.
Overall, "He strained my faith" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the challenges of faith and belief. Through vivid imagery and paradoxical statements, Dickinson conveys the emotional and spiritual impact of doubt and uncertainty. The poem suggests that faith is something that can be tested and strained, but also something that can endure and persist even in the face of adversity. As such, it remains a timeless and relevant work that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.
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