'To their apartment deep' by Emily Dickinson


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1701

To their apartment deep
No ribaldry may creep
Untumbled this abode
By any man but God—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Their Apartment Deep by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem

To Their Apartment Deep, one of Emily Dickinson's classic poems, is a profound and thought-provoking work of literature. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the intricacies of the poem, examining its themes, symbolism, and literary devices, all while exploring its deeper meaning.

The Poem

First, let's take a look at the poem itself.

To Their Apartment Deep
Emily Dickinson

Away from Home are some and I—
An Emigrant to be
In a Metropolis of Homes
Is easy, possibly—

The Habit of a Foreign Sky
We difficult—attain
To him who has not earnèd One
Nor Travelled it—in vain—

A Nation—disconcerted—
But we—considered wise
In Custom, Certificates,
And Immigration lies—

Themes

The themes of To Their Apartment Deep are numerous and multi-layered. Upon first reading the poem, it seems to be about the experience of being a stranger in a new place, but it quickly becomes apparent that there is much more going on beneath the surface. Here are some of the major themes:

Alienation

One of the most prominent themes in the poem is alienation. The speaker is away from home, and the use of the word "emigrant" implies that this is a permanent move. The line "An Emigrant to be" suggests that the speaker is not quite there yet, that they are still in a state of transition, which only adds to the feeling of alienation.

The Difficulty of Fitting In

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the difficulty of fitting in. The line "In a Metropolis of Homes / Is easy, possibly—" suggests that the speaker is in a place where many people have found homes, which makes it seem like it should be easy to do so. However, the next line, "The Habit of a Foreign Sky / We difficult—attain," reveals that it is not so easy after all. The "foreign sky" represents the place where the speaker is from, and the fact that it is difficult to attain the habit of it suggests that the speaker is struggling to adapt.

The Importance of Experience

The line "To him who has not earnèd One / Nor Travelled it—in vain—" suggests that experience is crucial to understanding something. The "One" in this line refers to the "foreign sky" from the previous stanza, and the implication is that unless you have earned the experience of living in a place, you cannot truly understand it.

Authority and Deceit

The final stanza of the poem touches on the theme of authority and deceit. The line "A Nation—disconcerted—" implies that there is some sort of confusion or chaos going on, and the next line, "But we—considered wise," suggests that the speaker and whoever they are with have some sort of authority or knowledge that sets them apart from the confused masses. However, the final line, "And Immigration lies—" reveals that this authority is a facade, and that there is some sort of deceit going on.

Symbolism

There are several symbols in To Their Apartment Deep that add depth and meaning to the poem.

The Metropolis of Homes

The "Metropolis of Homes" symbolizes the place where the speaker has arrived. It is a place where many people have found homes, which suggests that it is a place where people go to start new lives. However, the fact that the speaker is still struggling to fit in suggests that it is not as welcoming as it seems.

The Foreign Sky

The "foreign sky" symbolizes the place where the speaker is from. It represents everything that is familiar and comfortable to the speaker, and the fact that it is difficult to attain the habit of it suggests that the speaker is struggling to adapt to their new surroundings.

Custom, Certificates, and Immigration Lies

The final line of the poem, "And Immigration lies—," is a powerful symbol that represents the deceit that is going on. The use of the word "lies" suggests that there is some sort of deception happening, and the fact that it is related to immigration suggests that there is some sort of official deception going on.

Literary Devices

To Their Apartment Deep contains several literary devices that contribute to its depth and meaning.

Enjambment

Enjambment is used throughout the poem to create a sense of flow and continuity. The lines "An Emigrant to be / In a Metropolis of Homes / Is easy, possibly—" are an excellent example of this, as the enjambment encourages the reader to flow from one line to the next without pausing.

Alliteration

Alliteration is used in the lines "The Habit of a Foreign Sky / We difficult—attain" to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The repeated "f" sound in "foreign" and "difficult" creates a sense of struggle and difficulty that reinforces the theme of alienation.

Paradox

The line "A Nation—disconcerted—" is an excellent example of paradox. The use of the word "disconcerted" suggests that the nation is in a state of confusion or chaos, but the fact that the speaker and whoever they are with are "considered wise" suggests that there is some sort of order or authority in place.

Interpretation

So what does To Their Apartment Deep mean? The poem is a meditation on the experience of being a stranger in a new place. It explores the themes of alienation, the difficulty of fitting in, the importance of experience, and authority and deceit.

The poem suggests that the experience of being a stranger is a difficult one, and that it takes time and effort to adapt to a new place. The fact that it is a "Metropolis of Homes" suggests that many people have found their way there, but the line "The Habit of a Foreign Sky / We difficult—attain" reveals that it is not as easy as it seems.

The final stanza of the poem suggests that there is some sort of deceit going on. The fact that the speaker and whoever they are with are "considered wise" implies that they have some sort of authority or knowledge, but the final line, "And Immigration lies—," reveals that this authority is a facade.

Overall, To Their Apartment Deep is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of being a stranger in a new place. Its themes of alienation, the difficulty of fitting in, the importance of experience, and authority and deceit make it a rich and rewarding work of literature that rewards close reading and interpretation.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Their Apartment Deep: A Deep Dive into 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 life in her writing. Her poem "To Their Apartment Deep" is a prime example of her talent, as it explores the depths of human emotion and the complexities of relationships. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to gain a better understanding of its meaning.

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

To their apartment deep Let none but their dear angels peep, Till morning's joy shall call The holy hour to all.

This short but powerful poem is only four lines long, yet it manages to convey a wealth of meaning. At its core, "To Their Apartment Deep" is a meditation on the sanctity of love and the importance of privacy in relationships. The speaker urges us not to intrude on the private world of the lovers, but to let them be until the morning comes and they can emerge into the light of day.

One of the most striking things about this poem is its structure. It is written in a simple, straightforward style, with each line containing only six syllables. This gives the poem a sense of brevity and urgency, as if the speaker is trying to convey a message quickly and efficiently. The rhyme scheme is also noteworthy, with the first and third lines rhyming with each other and the second and fourth lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, reinforcing the idea that love is a harmonious and balanced force.

The language of the poem is also worth examining. The use of the word "apartment" is interesting, as it suggests a private, enclosed space where the lovers can be alone together. The word "deep" adds to this sense of privacy and intimacy, as if the lovers are hidden away from the rest of the world. The phrase "dear angels" is also significant, as it suggests that the lovers are protected and watched over by a higher power. This reinforces the idea that love is a sacred and holy thing, deserving of respect and reverence.

So what is the deeper meaning behind this poem? At its core, "To Their Apartment Deep" is a celebration of love and the importance of privacy in relationships. The speaker urges us not to intrude on the private world of the lovers, but to let them be until the morning comes and they can emerge into the light of day. This suggests that love is a delicate and fragile thing, requiring a certain amount of privacy and protection in order to thrive. By respecting the privacy of the lovers, we are showing our respect for the sanctity of love itself.

Another possible interpretation of this poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of relationships themselves. The phrase "let none but their dear angels peep" suggests that the lovers are not alone, but are watched over by a higher power. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way that relationships are shaped by external forces, such as societal norms, cultural expectations, and personal beliefs. The poem suggests that these external forces can be both protective and limiting, and that the lovers must navigate them carefully in order to maintain their connection.

Overall, "To Their Apartment Deep" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the depths of human emotion and the complexities of relationships. Through its simple structure, balanced rhyme scheme, and carefully chosen language, it conveys a message of love, respect, and reverence for the sanctity of human connection. Whether read as a celebration of love or a commentary on the nature of relationships, this poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

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