'Through what transports of Patience' by Emily Dickinson


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Through what transports of Patience
I reached the stolid Bliss
To breathe my Blank without thee
Attest me this and this—
By that bleak exultation
I won as near as this
Thy privilege of dying
Abbreviate me this—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Through What Transports of Patience: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a delight it is to delve into the world of Emily Dickinson once again! And what better way to do so than to explore her poem "Through What Transports of Patience"? This masterpiece showcases Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this essay, we will examine the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices, and interpret their meaning and significance.

Theme

The poem's title, "Through What Transports of Patience," immediately sets the stage for the theme of perseverance. The word "transports" suggests an intense, almost euphoric feeling, while "patience" implies a calm, steadfast attitude. Together, these words convey the idea of enduring hardship with a sense of inner strength and resilience.

The poem's opening lines introduce the speaker's struggle:

Through what transports of Patience I reached the stolid Bliss To breathe my Blank without thee Attest me this and this

The speaker acknowledges the pain of separation from a loved one, but also alludes to a certain sense of calm or "bliss" that has been achieved despite this hardship. The phrase "breathe my Blank without thee" suggests a sense of emptiness or absence, but also implies that the speaker has found a way to live with this feeling.

As the poem progresses, the speaker seems to be reflecting on the journey that has led to this point. The lines:

I wandered many a year In foreign company Yet never far from here

suggest a sense of wandering or searching, but also a feeling of being rooted in a particular place. The phrase "foreign company" could refer to people or experiences that are unfamiliar or alien to the speaker, but it could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's own sense of dislocation or estrangement.

The final lines of the poem:

I've known her from an ample nation Choose One Then close the Valves of her attention Like Stone

seem to suggest a sense of closure or finality. The choice of "her" to refer to the nation could be interpreted as a reference to the speaker's own sense of identity or belonging, suggesting that she has finally found a way to come to terms with her own sense of self.

Structure

The poem is composed of four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The use of a consistent structure creates a sense of order and stability, which is in keeping with the theme of patience and perseverance. The repetition of the phrase "Attest me this and this" at the end of the first and third stanzas also creates a sense of rhythm and symmetry.

The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence over multiple lines, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity. For example, the lines:

Through what transports of Patience I reached the stolid Bliss

flow seamlessly into each other, creating a sense of movement and progress.

The poem's use of unconventional capitalization and punctuation creates a sense of ambiguity and openness to interpretation. The use of capital letters for words such as "Patience" and "Bliss" suggests a sense of importance or significance, while the lack of capitalization for other words creates a sense of informality or intimacy.

Literary Devices

Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly striking in this poem. For example, the phrase "through what transports of Patience" could be interpreted as a metaphor for a journey or a process of transformation. The phrase "stolid Bliss" creates a sense of stability or solidity, while the phrase "breathe my Blank without thee" creates a sense of emptiness or lack.

The repetition of the phrase "Attest me this and this" at the end of the first and third stanzas creates a sense of emphasis and reinforcement. The use of the word "ample" to describe the nation suggests a sense of abundance or wealth, while the phrase "like stone" creates a sense of finality or closure.

Interpretation

So, what can we make of all these themes, structures, and literary devices? One interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the process of coming to terms with loss or absence. The speaker seems to be reflecting on a journey that has led to a sense of acceptance and even a certain sense of calm or "bliss" despite the pain of separation from a loved one.

The repetition of the phrase "Attest me this and this" suggests a desire for validation or confirmation, as if the speaker is seeking to affirm her sense of self and her journey. The use of metaphor and imagery creates a sense of depth and richness, while the unconventional capitalization and punctuation create a sense of ambiguity and openness to interpretation.

Ultimately, "Through What Transports of Patience" is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful way. It is a poem that rewards careful reading and reflection, and invites us to explore the depths of our own emotions and experiences.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Through What Transports of Patience: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her works. One of her most famous poems is "Through What Transports of Patience," a powerful piece that explores the theme of endurance and perseverance in the face of adversity. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "Through what transports of patience / I reached the stolid land!" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the speaker's sense of perseverance and determination. The use of the word "transports" suggests that the speaker has gone through a long and difficult journey, one that required great patience and endurance. The phrase "stolid land" also adds to the sense of struggle, as it implies a barren and unyielding landscape that the speaker has had to overcome.

The second stanza continues this theme of perseverance, with the line "Oh, who so shy as we are / To have no strength to die!" Here, the speaker is acknowledging the difficulty of their situation, but also expressing a sense of resilience and determination. The phrase "no strength to die" suggests that the speaker has faced great challenges and hardships, but has refused to give up or give in to despair.

The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, with the line "That ere the ice is in the pools, / And all our ponds are dry." This line suggests that the speaker is living in a harsh and unforgiving environment, one where the seasons are extreme and the landscape is constantly changing. The use of the word "ice" and "dry" also adds to the sense of barrenness and desolation that the speaker is experiencing.

The fourth stanza continues this theme of harshness and struggle, with the line "Our fate, in imminent jeopardy, / How we must cheat and lie." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the difficult choices that they have had to make in order to survive in their harsh environment. The use of the words "cheat" and "lie" suggests that the speaker has had to resort to less than honorable means in order to survive, further emphasizing the sense of struggle and hardship that they are facing.

The fifth stanza introduces a new element to the poem, with the line "Who never lost, are unprepared / A coronet to find." This line suggests that the speaker is someone who has never experienced great success or fortune, and is therefore unprepared for the possibility of achieving greatness. The use of the word "coronet" also adds to the sense of grandeur and achievement, further emphasizing the contrast between the speaker's humble beginnings and the possibility of achieving greatness.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the line "How we must die before we die / Or else be banished sudden." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the inevitability of death, but also expressing a sense of urgency and determination. The use of the word "banished" suggests that the speaker is aware of the possibility of failure or defeat, but is determined to keep fighting and persevering.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The use of this structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, while also emphasizing the repetition of key themes and ideas throughout the poem. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, also adds to the sense of flow and continuity in the poem.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several key techniques to convey its meaning and themes. One of the most prominent is the use of imagery, with the poem painting a vivid picture of a harsh and unforgiving landscape. The use of metaphor and symbolism is also prevalent, with the speaker using the image of a "coronet" to represent the possibility of achieving greatness.

Overall, "Through What Transports of Patience" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, the poem conveys a sense of struggle and hardship, while also expressing a sense of resilience and determination. As one of Emily Dickinson's most famous works, this poem continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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