'I meant to find Her when I came' by Emily Dickinson
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I meant to find Her when I came—
Death—had the same design—
But the Success—was His—it seems—
And the Surrender—Mine—
I meant to tell Her how I longed
For just this single time—
But Death had told Her so the first—
And she had past, with Him—
To wander—now—is my Repose—
To rest—To rest would be
A privilege of Hurricane
To Memory—and Me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Meant to Find Her When I Came: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetic Mind
As one of the most celebrated poets in American literary history, Emily Dickinson's work continues to fascinate and intrigue readers to this day. Her poems are known for their complex themes, unique style, and strong emotion, and "I Meant to Find Her When I Came" is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and language in order to better understand the poetic mind of Emily Dickinson.
Overview of the Poem
"I Meant to Find Her When I Came" was written in 1861, during a period of intense creativity for Dickinson. The poem is short, consisting of only six lines, and is written in the form of a quatrain with an ABAB rhyme scheme. However, despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and emotion.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that they "meant to find" someone upon their arrival, but that person was not there. The second and third lines describe the beauty of the setting, with "golden air" and "dew upon the grass." The final three lines reveal that the person the speaker was searching for is dead, and that they have now become a part of the natural world around them.
Analysis
Beauty in the Face of Loss
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the sadness of the speaker's loss. The first two lines create an image of the beautiful surroundings, with "golden air" and "dew upon the grass." This description is almost idyllic, and sets the scene for a peaceful, serene moment. However, the third and fourth lines reveal that the speaker has experienced loss, that the person they were looking for is not there. This contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the sadness of the speaker's loss creates a powerful emotional impact.
Death and Nature
The final three lines of the poem reveal that the person the speaker was searching for is dead, and has become a part of the natural world. This idea of death and nature being intertwined is a common theme in Dickinson's work, and reflects her belief in the cyclical nature of life and death. For Dickinson, the natural world was a constant reminder of the inevitability of death, but also a source of comfort and beauty.
Structure and Rhyme
Like many of Dickinson's poems, "I Meant to Find Her When I Came" is written in a unique and unconventional style. The poem is short, with only six lines, but is structured as a quatrain with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, despite its emotional content.
The use of rhyme in the poem is also significant. The ABAB rhyme scheme creates a musicality, a kind of lilt or sway to the language that is both beautiful and melancholic. The rhyme ties the lines together, reinforcing the sense of unity between the natural world and the speaker's loss.
Meaning and Interpretation
At its core, "I Meant to Find Her When I Came" is a poem about loss and the cyclical nature of life and death. The speaker's search for someone who is no longer there is a universal experience, and the poem's message is one of acceptance and resignation in the face of this loss.
The poem can also be read as a reflection on the relationship between death and nature. For Dickinson, the natural world was a source of comfort and beauty, and the final three lines of the poem suggest that those who have passed on are not truly gone, but have become a part of that natural world. This belief in the unity of life and death is a key aspect of Dickinson's philosophy, and is reflected in many of her poems.
Context and Biography
Emily Dickinson was known for her reclusive and introverted nature, and her poetry reflects this. Many of her poems deal with themes of isolation, loneliness, and death, and "I Meant to Find Her When I Came" is no exception. However, despite her reputation as a recluse, Dickinson was also deeply interested in the natural world and was an avid gardener. This interest is reflected in many of her poems, including "I Meant to Find Her When I Came," where the natural world is a key aspect of the poem's meaning.
Conclusion
"I Meant to Find Her When I Came" is a deeply emotional and evocative poem that reflects the unique poetic style and philosophy of Emily Dickinson. The poem's themes of loss, death, and the cyclical nature of life are timeless, and the contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the sadness of the speaker's loss creates a powerful emotional impact. Despite its brevity, the poem is complex and layered, and demonstrates the depth and complexity of Dickinson's work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I meant to find Her when I came is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's longing for a spiritual connection with God. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her intention to find God when she came. The use of the word "Her" instead of "God" is significant as it suggests a more personal and intimate relationship with the divine. The speaker's desire to find God is not just a physical search but a spiritual one. She is seeking a deeper connection with the divine, one that goes beyond the superficial.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker talks about her search for God and how she has been looking for Him in all the wrong places. She says, "I meant to find Her when I came; Death had the same design; But the success was His, it seems, And the discomfit mine." The use of the word "discomfit" suggests that the speaker is disappointed and frustrated with her search for God. She has been looking for Him in all the wrong places, and Death seems to have found Him before she did.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to question her faith. She says, "I meant to see Her when I fell; Deeper and deeper down; The struggle now so wasted seems, So needless, so unknown." The use of the word "wasted" suggests that the speaker feels like she has wasted her time searching for God. She has fallen deeper and deeper into her search, but she still hasn't found what she is looking for. The use of the word "unknown" suggests that the speaker is unsure of what she is searching for.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to express her frustration with her search for God. She says, "I meant to grasp Her by the hand; To lead Her, Soul, to Thee; But mine own hand clasped mine, instead, And I was blind, with Thee." The use of the word "blind" suggests that the speaker has lost her way in her search for God. She has been looking for Him in all the wrong places, and now she is lost.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to question the nature of God. She says, "The heart asks pleasure first, And then, excuse from pain; And then, those little anodynes That deaden suffering." The use of the word "anodynes" suggests that the speaker is looking for something to ease her pain. She is questioning the nature of God and wondering why He allows suffering in the world.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to express her longing for God. She says, "And then, to go to sleep; And then, if it should be The will of its Inquisitor, The privilege to die." The use of the word "privilege" suggests that the speaker sees death as a release from the pain and suffering of life. She longs for the privilege to die and be reunited with God.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker expresses her hope for the future. She says, "I meant to find Her when I came; Death had the same design; But the success was His, it seems, And the discomfit mine." The use of the word "success" suggests that the speaker sees death as a way to be reunited with God. She hopes that in death, she will finally find what she has been searching for.
In conclusion, I meant to find Her when I came is a beautiful expression of the poet's longing for a spiritual connection with God. The poem explores themes of faith, doubt, and the nature of God. The use of literary devices such as metaphor, imagery, and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the poem. Overall, this poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and the search for a deeper connection with the divine.
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