'From Blank to Blank' by Emily Dickinson


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From Blank to Blank—
A Threadless Way
I pushed Mechanic feet—
To stop—or perish—or advance—
Alike indifferent—

If end I gained
It ends beyond
Indefinite disclosed—
I shut my eyes—and groped as well
'Twas lighter—to be Blind—

Editor 1 Interpretation

From Blank to Blank: A Journey Through Emily Dickinson's Mind

Introduction:

Emily Dickinson is known for her unconventional style of writing and her unique perspective on life. Her poetry often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality, and is characterized by its use of unconventional punctuation, syntax, and capitalization. One of her most famous poems, "From Blank to Blank," is a prime example of her poetic style and her ability to convey complex ideas in a concise and powerful manner.

The Poem:

From Blank to Blank—
A Threadless Way
I pushed Mechanic feet—
To stop—or perish—or advance—
Alike indifferent—
If end I gained
It only ends the race—
Unto the Woman's breast—
To match the Gnat—
Unto the Valley's Crest—
Run—
Sayest thou,
Sunshine
Artist
Run!
Aye!
But,
Sink not in the Calm—
Herald
Footnote of an April—
Day
Unto a Daisy's
yellow
Disk—
Ungarnished
By a
Tint—
Or
Lack of it—

At first glance, this poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Dickinson is exploring the journey of life and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the line "From Blank to Blank—," which suggests a journey from one unknown destination to another. The "Threadless Way" Dickinson describes could be interpreted as a journey through life without a predetermined path or purpose.

The second line, "I pushed Mechanic feet—," describes the speaker's attempts to control their own destiny by using "Mechanic feet" to move forward. This could be seen as a metaphor for the human desire to control our own fate and to have agency in our lives. However, the next line, "To stop—or perish—or advance—," suggests that ultimately, the speaker is powerless to control the outcome of their journey. They are "alike indifferent" to whatever fate may befall them.

The third stanza contains the line "If end I gained/ It only ends the race," which suggests that death is the inevitable conclusion of the journey of life. However, the final lines of the stanza, "Unto the Woman's breast—/ To match the Gnat—/ Unto the Valley's Crest—/ Run—," suggest that even in death, we are all equal and return to the earth from which we came.

The fourth stanza contains a command to "Sayest thou, / Sunshine / Artist / Run! / Aye!" This could be interpreted as a call to live life to the fullest and to embrace the journey, even though we know it must end in death. However, the next line, "But, / Sink not in the Calm—," suggests that we should not become complacent and should always strive to move forward.

The final stanza contains the image of a daisy's yellow disk, "Ungarnished / By a / Tint— / Or / Lack of it—." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty of life, which is not dependent on any external factors but is inherent in the journey itself.

Analysis:

"From Blank to Blank" is a poem that explores the journey of life and the inevitability of death. Dickinson uses metaphor and imagery to convey complex ideas in a concise and powerful manner. The poem is structured in a way that reflects the journey itself, with each stanza building upon the previous one to create a sense of momentum and forward movement.

The use of the phrase "Mechanic feet" in the second line is particularly noteworthy. The word "mechanic" suggests a lack of agency and control, as if the speaker is simply a machine being pushed forward. This could be seen as a commentary on the human desire for control and the futility of attempting to control our own fate.

The line "If end I gained / It only ends the race" is a particularly powerful one, as it suggests that no matter what we do in life, we are all ultimately headed towards the same destination. This could be seen as a commentary on the inevitability of death, but also as a reminder that we are all equal in death.

The final stanza, with its image of the daisy's yellow disk, is particularly striking. The fact that the beauty of the daisy is "ungarnished / By a / Tint— / Or / Lack of it—" suggests that the beauty of life is inherent in the journey itself and not dependent on any external factors. This is a powerful reminder to embrace the journey and to find beauty in the everyday moments of life.

Conclusion:

"From Blank to Blank" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the journey of life and the inevitability of death. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson conveys complex ideas in a concise and powerful manner. The poem is structured in a way that reflects the journey itself, with each stanza building upon the previous one to create a sense of momentum and forward movement. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder to embrace the journey of life and to find beauty in the everyday moments.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

From Blank to Blank: A Journey Through Emily Dickinson's Poetic Mind

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and unconventional approach to poetry. Her poem "From Blank to Blank" is a perfect example of her genius, as it takes the reader on a journey through the poet's mind, exploring themes of life, death, and the human experience.

The poem begins with the line "From Blank to Blank -," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "blank" suggests a sense of emptiness or nothingness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. It also hints at the idea of a journey, as the poet is moving from one blank space to another.

The next line, "A Threadless Way," further emphasizes the idea of a journey, as it suggests a path or a route that the poet is following. The use of the word "threadless" is interesting, as it suggests that there is no clear direction or guidance for the poet. She is simply wandering through the blank spaces, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

The third line, "I passed, and still the forests hung," introduces the idea of nature into the poem. The use of the word "forests" suggests a sense of vastness and mystery, as if the poet is wandering through an endless wilderness. The fact that the forests "hung" also suggests a sense of weight or heaviness, as if the poet is carrying a burden with her on her journey.

The fourth line, "Nor ear, nor sight, nor any sound," further emphasizes the idea of emptiness and nothingness. The poet is wandering through a space that is devoid of any sensory input, which creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. The use of the word "any" suggests that there is not even a hint of sound or sight, which makes the poet's journey even more challenging.

The fifth line, "Save the light crunch of boots," introduces a new element into the poem: the sound of the poet's footsteps. This is the first time that the poem acknowledges the poet's presence in the blank spaces, and it suggests that she is making progress on her journey. The use of the word "crunch" also suggests a sense of determination and purpose, as if the poet is forging ahead despite the challenges she faces.

The sixth line, "And silence everywhere!" reinforces the idea of emptiness and nothingness, but it also suggests a sense of awe and wonder. The poet is surrounded by silence, which creates a sense of stillness and peace. This is a stark contrast to the chaos and noise of the world outside the blank spaces, and it suggests that the poet has found a refuge from the stresses of everyday life.

The seventh line, "Save where at times a cock," introduces a new element into the poem: the sound of a rooster crowing. This is the first time that the poem acknowledges the presence of another living creature in the blank spaces, and it suggests that the poet is not alone on her journey. The use of the word "save" also suggests that the sound of the rooster is a rare occurrence, which makes it even more significant.

The eighth line, "To tell the time of day," introduces the idea of time into the poem. The rooster's crowing is a way for the poet to measure the passage of time, which suggests that her journey is not endless. The use of the phrase "tell the time of day" also suggests a sense of order and structure, which is a contrast to the chaos and confusion of the blank spaces.

The ninth line, "When the sun draws up the dew," introduces a new element into the poem: the sun. This is the first time that the poem acknowledges the presence of light in the blank spaces, which suggests that the poet is making progress on her journey. The use of the phrase "draws up the dew" also suggests a sense of renewal and rebirth, as if the sun is breathing new life into the blank spaces.

The tenth line, "And the breeze stirs the morn," introduces the idea of movement into the poem. The breeze is a way for the poet to measure the passage of time, as it suggests that the day is progressing. The use of the word "stirs" also suggests a sense of energy and vitality, as if the poet is being invigorated by the movement of the breeze.

The eleventh line, "That I look down upon," introduces the idea of perspective into the poem. The poet is looking down upon the blank spaces, which suggests that she has gained a new perspective on her journey. The use of the word "look" also suggests a sense of curiosity and wonder, as if the poet is exploring the blank spaces with a sense of awe.

The twelfth line, "As mine own unfamiliar town," reinforces the idea of perspective, but it also introduces a new element into the poem: the idea of home. The poet is comparing the blank spaces to her own town, which suggests that she is searching for a sense of familiarity and comfort on her journey. The use of the phrase "mine own" also suggests a sense of ownership and belonging, as if the poet is trying to claim the blank spaces as her own.

The thirteenth line, "And felt my life accrue," introduces the idea of growth and development into the poem. The poet's journey through the blank spaces has allowed her to accrue new experiences and insights, which suggests that she is growing and changing as a person. The use of the word "felt" also suggests a sense of emotion and intensity, as if the poet is deeply affected by her journey.

The final line, "Some days abide," brings the poem to a close, but it also leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity. The phrase "some days" suggests that the poet's journey through the blank spaces is not over, and that there are still challenges and obstacles to overcome. The use of the word "abide" also suggests a sense of endurance and perseverance, as if the poet is determined to see her journey through to the end.

In conclusion, "From Blank to Blank" is a powerful and evocative poem that takes the reader on a journey through Emily Dickinson's poetic mind. The poem explores themes of life, death, and the human experience, and it does so with a sense of wonder and curiosity that is characteristic of Dickinson's unique style. By the end of the poem, the reader is left with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, but also with a sense of hope and determination that is a testament to the poet's enduring spirit.

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