'I'm "wife"—I've finished that' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
199
I'm "wife"—I've finished that—
That other state—
I'm Czar—I'm "Woman" now—
It's safer so—
How odd the Girl's life looks
Behind this soft Eclipse—
I think that Earth feels so
To folks in Heaven—now—
This being comfort—then
That other kind—was pain—
But why compare?
I'm "Wife"! Stop there!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I'm wife"—I've finished that written by Emily Dickinson
Oh, Emily Dickinson! A poet whose words have the ability to move and stir the soul. She was a woman ahead of her time, a genius who wrote about love, death, nature, and the human condition. Her poems are timeless, and one such poem that stands out is "I'm wife"—I've finished that.
At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple statement, but on closer inspection, it reveals a lot about the societal norms of Dickinson's time and her own views on marriage. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
Poem Analysis
Structure
"I'm wife"—I've finished that is a short poem consisting of three stanzas. The first and third stanzas have three lines each, while the second stanza has four lines. Dickinson uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem's brevity and simplicity add to its impact, making it an excellent example of Dickinson's ability to convey complex ideas in a few words.
Theme
The poem's central theme is marriage and the societal pressures associated with it. The poet uses a first-person point of view to express her thoughts on the subject. The poem's title, "I'm wife," suggests that the speaker has fulfilled society's expectations by becoming a wife, but she adds, "I've finished that," indicating that she feels a sense of finality or completion.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson was a master of literary devices, and "I'm wife"—I've finished that is no exception. Here are a few of the literary devices used in the poem:
Metaphor
The line "I'm wife" is a metaphor, representing the societal role of women in the poet's time. The word "wife" is used to encompass all the expectations and limitations that came with marriage, such as the duty to bear children, keep the home, and support the husband.
Irony
The line "I've finished that" is ironic because it suggests that the speaker has achieved something, but in reality, she feels a sense of dissatisfaction or disillusionment. The use of irony is a powerful tool used by Dickinson to highlight the conflict between societal expectations and the reality of marriage.
Repetition
The repetition of the phrase "I'm wife" at the beginning of each stanza emphasizes the societal pressure to conform to a specific role. The repetition creates a sense of monotony, suggesting that the speaker feels trapped in her role as a wife.
Enjambment
The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs on to the next line, creates a sense of fluidity and movement in the poem. It also allows Dickinson to make a point without breaking the flow of the poem. For example, in the second stanza, the line "How dreary—to be—Somebody!" runs on to the next line, emphasizing the speaker's sense of dissatisfaction.
Imagery
The poem is filled with powerful imagery that adds depth and complexity to the themes explored. For example, the phrase "A Wife—until I die" suggests a sense of permanence and finality, while the line "How public—like a Frog—To tell one's name—the livelong June—" creates a vivid image of a frog croaking in a pond.
Interpretation
"I'm wife"—I've finished that is a poem that speaks to the conflict between societal expectations and the individual's desires. The speaker acknowledges her role as a wife but feels a sense of disillusionment with it. She suggests that society views women as nothing more than wives and mothers, and this restricts their freedom and ambitions.
The poem can be interpreted as a critique of the societal norms of Dickinson's time, which placed women in a particular role and limited their opportunities. The speaker's dissatisfaction suggests that societal expectations can be suffocating, and women are often forced to conform to them, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness.
The line "How dreary—to be—Somebody!" suggests that the speaker feels trapped and longs for something more. The use of the word "dreary" creates a sense of monotony and boredom, emphasizing the speaker's desire for change. The line "How public—like a Frog—To tell one's name—the livelong June—" can be interpreted as a commentary on the societal pressure to conform and be visible. The speaker suggests that this pressure is like a frog croaking loudly in a pond, drawing attention to itself.
In conclusion, "I'm wife"—I've finished that is a powerful poem that speaks to the societal pressures faced by women in Dickinson's time. The poem's brevity and simplicity add to its impact, making it an excellent example of Dickinson's ability to convey complex ideas in a few words. The use of literary devices such as metaphor, irony, repetition, enjambment, and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem. Ultimately, the poem is a call to break free from societal expectations and to be true to oneself, even if it means going against the norm.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I'm "wife" - I've finished that is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of marriage, identity, and societal expectations. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring, "I'm 'wife' - I've finished that." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker has completed a task or achieved a goal. However, the use of quotation marks around the word "wife" indicates that the speaker is not entirely comfortable with this label. It suggests that the speaker is questioning the societal expectations that come with being a wife and is perhaps trying to distance herself from them.
The next line, "That other state," further emphasizes the speaker's discomfort with the label of wife. It suggests that there is another state or identity that the speaker would prefer to be in, but she is unable to achieve it because of her societal role as a wife. This line also highlights the idea that marriage can be a limiting factor in a person's life, as it can prevent them from pursuing other goals or identities.
The third line, "I'm Czar - I'm 'woman' now," is a powerful statement that suggests the speaker has taken control of her identity. The use of the word "Czar" is significant, as it is a title traditionally associated with male rulers. By using this title, the speaker is asserting her power and authority as a woman. The use of quotation marks around the word "woman" suggests that the speaker is still questioning her identity and is perhaps trying to redefine what it means to be a woman.
The final line of the first stanza, "It's safer so," suggests that the speaker feels more secure in her new identity as a woman than she did as a wife. This line also highlights the idea that societal expectations can be dangerous, as they can prevent people from being true to themselves.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "How odd the girl's life looks behind this soft eclipse." This line suggests that the speaker is reflecting on her past life as a girl and how it has been obscured by her new identity as a woman. The use of the word "eclipse" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's past life has been overshadowed by her new identity.
The next line, "I think that earth seems so," suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from the world around her. This line also highlights the idea that societal expectations can be isolating, as they can prevent people from connecting with others who do not fit into those expectations.
The final two lines of the poem, "To her divine majority - Present no more," suggest that the speaker is rejecting the societal expectations that come with being a wife. The use of the word "divine" suggests that these expectations are seen as sacred or holy, but the speaker is rejecting them nonetheless. The use of the phrase "present no more" suggests that the speaker is moving on from her past life as a wife and is embracing her new identity as a woman.
In conclusion, I'm "wife" - I've finished that is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of marriage, identity, and societal expectations. Through the use of powerful imagery and language, Emily Dickinson has created a poem that challenges the reader to question their own identity and the societal expectations that come with it. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and provoke thought, and it remains a classic piece of literature that is still relevant today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Blockchain Job Board - Block Chain Custody and Security Jobs & Crypto Smart Contract Jobs: The latest Blockchain job postingsKubernetes Recipes: Recipes for your kubernetes configuration, itsio policies, distributed cluster management, multicloud solutions
Graph Database Shacl: Graphdb rules and constraints for data quality assurance
Cloud Actions - Learn Cloud actions & Cloud action Examples: Learn and get examples for Cloud Actions
Rust Guide: Guide to the rust programming language
Recommended Similar Analysis
Variations On A Theme By William Carlos Williams by Kenneth Koch analysisLeda by H.D. analysis
Boots by Rudyard Kipling analysis
The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy analysis
Her Eyes are Wild by William Wordsworth analysis
Aim was Song, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Coming Through The Rye by Robert Burns analysis
Forbearance by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Her-"last Poems" by Emily Dickinson analysis
She rose to his requirement, dropped by Emily Dickinson analysis