'Perhaps I asked too large' by Emily Dickinson
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Perhaps I asked too large—
I take—no less than skies—
For Earths, grow thick as
Berries, in my native town—
My Basked holds—just—Firmaments—
Those—dangle easy—on my arm,
But smaller bundles—Cram.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Perhaps I asked too large by Emily Dickinson
As I sit down to write about Emily Dickinson's classic poem "Perhaps I asked too large," I feel the tremors of excitement coursing through my veins. This is a poem that has always resonated with me on a deep level, and I am eager to explore its many layers and meanings. So, without further ado, let's dive in!
Context and Overview
"Perhaps I asked too large" was written by Emily Dickinson in 1862, during a time of great upheaval and uncertainty in her life. She had recently experienced a profound religious awakening, and this poem reflects her struggles with faith and the ultimate questions of existence.
The poem itself is relatively short, consisting of only three stanzas and ten lines in total. It is written in Dickinson's signature style, with irregular capitalization and punctuation, and a heavy reliance on enjambment to create a sense of breathlessness and urgency.
Analysis
At its core, "Perhaps I asked too large" is a meditation on the limits of human understanding and the mysteries of the divine. The speaker of the poem acknowledges that she has sought answers to questions that may be too grand, too vast for mortal minds to comprehend. She wonders if she has overstepped her bounds, if she has dared to ask too much of the universe.
The opening lines of the poem set the stage for this exploration of cosmic themes:
Perhaps I asked too large, I take, - no less than skies, For Earths, grow thick as Berries, In my native town.
Here, we see the speaker grappling with her own ambition and the limitations of her human perspective. She acknowledges that her desires and questions are vast, even sky-like in their scope, but wonders if they are too much for her to handle. The comparison to the small, plentiful berries of her hometown underscores the contrast between the finite and the infinite, the human and the divine.
The second stanza of the poem takes this idea even further, exploring the speaker's struggles with faith and the unknowable nature of God:
My Basket holds - just Firmaments - Those - dangle easy - on my arm, But smaller bundles - Cram.
The image of the speaker's basket holding only "Firmaments" - the heavens themselves - emphasizes the grandiosity of her desires. She wants nothing less than the secrets of the universe. But the way these "dangle easy" on her arm suggests that perhaps they are not as weighty as she once thought. Moreover, the "smaller bundles" that are "Cram[med]" into the basket suggest that there are mysteries and complexities that she cannot even begin to fathom.
Finally, the poem concludes with a sense of resignation and acceptance:
I wonder if the Fields appreciate - The Fertilizing Sun - To whom the Frosts approach we know - To whom the Sodden rain -
The speaker here seems to be acknowledging that perhaps the answers to her questions will never come, that she will never fully comprehend the vastness and complexity of the world around her. She wonders if the natural world itself, with its cyclical patterns of growth and decay, understands and appreciates the forces that govern it. And she realizes that, ultimately, these forces are beyond her control.
Interpretation
There are many ways to interpret "Perhaps I asked too large," but one that resonates with me is the idea that there are some questions that are simply too big for us to answer. Dickinson's poem is a reminder that, as humans, we are limited in our understanding of the universe and our place within it. We may seek knowledge and enlightenment, but there will always be mysteries and complexities that elude us.
At the same time, however, the poem offers a sense of comfort and even transcendence. The speaker's acceptance of her limitations suggests a humility and a willingness to surrender to the unknown. And the imagery of the natural world - the sun, the rain, the fields - offers a reminder that there are forces at work beyond our comprehension, but that we are still a part of something greater than ourselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Perhaps I asked too large" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the biggest questions of existence. It offers a meditation on the limits of human understanding, the mysteries of the divine, and the relationship between the finite and the infinite. Through its vivid imagery and Dickinson's signature style, it evokes a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a recognition of our own limitations as human beings.
As I finish writing this analysis, I feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. It is rare to encounter a poem that speaks so deeply to one's own existential questions and struggles, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explore this one in such depth. Perhaps, like the speaker in the poem, I have asked too large. But in doing so, I have also glimpsed something of the mystery and grandeur of the universe, and that is a gift beyond measure.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Perhaps I asked too large - a classic poem by Emily Dickinson, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.
The poem begins with the line "Perhaps I asked too large," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker seems to be questioning whether their desires or requests were too ambitious or unrealistic. This line is followed by the phrase "I take," which suggests that the speaker is taking responsibility for their actions and decisions.
The second stanza of the poem reads, "I take - no less than skies - / For Earths, grow thick and close - / The Heavens are bare - / They alone suffice." Here, the speaker is comparing their desires to the vastness of the sky. They seem to be saying that they want something as big and limitless as the sky, but that the earth is too crowded and limited. The speaker then goes on to say that the heavens are bare, suggesting that they are empty and devoid of anything substantial. However, the speaker believes that the heavens alone are enough to satisfy their desires.
The third stanza of the poem reads, "It was too late for man - / But early yet for God - / Creation - impotent - / To him - the earliest - stood." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that their desires may be too much for humans to achieve, but that it is not too late for God. The speaker seems to be suggesting that only God has the power to fulfill their desires, and that human creation is impotent in comparison. The phrase "To him - the earliest - stood" suggests that God has been around since the beginning of time and has the power to create anything.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem reads, "And this be the reward - / If all - my lite - upon me - cast? / Thousands of suffocating light - / To take away my breath." Here, the speaker is questioning whether the reward for their desires would be worth the cost. They seem to be saying that if all the light in the world were cast upon them, it would be suffocating and take away their breath. This line suggests that the speaker is aware of the potential consequences of their desires and is questioning whether they are worth it.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. She capitalizes words like "Earths" and "Heavens," which are not typically capitalized, and uses dashes instead of commas or periods. This style of writing gives the poem a unique and distinctive voice and emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty and questioning.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses in this poem is metaphor. The speaker compares their desires to the sky and suggests that the heavens alone are enough to satisfy them. This metaphor emphasizes the vastness and limitlessness of the speaker's desires and suggests that they are beyond human comprehension.
The theme of this poem is the human desire for something greater than themselves. The speaker is questioning whether their desires are too large and whether they are worth the potential consequences. This theme is universal and timeless, as it speaks to the human experience of longing for something beyond what is currently attainable.
In conclusion, Perhaps I asked too large is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human desire for something greater than themselves. Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax gives the poem a unique and distinctive voice, while her use of metaphor emphasizes the vastness and limitlessness of the speaker's desires. The theme of the poem is universal and timeless, as it speaks to the human experience of longing for something beyond what is currently attainable. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in her writing.
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