'I have a King, who does not speak' by Emily Dickinson


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I have a King, who does not speak—
So—wondering—thro' the hours meek
I trudge the day away—
Half glad when it is night, and sleep,
If, haply, thro' a dream, to peep
In parlors, shut by day.

And if I do—when morning comes—
It is as if a hundred drums
Did round my pillow roll,
And shouts fill all my Childish sky,
And Bells keep saying "Victory"
From steeples in my soul!

And if I don't—the little Bird
Within the Orchard, is not heard,
And I omit to pray
"Father, thy will be done" today
For my will goes the other way,
And it were perjury!

Editor 1 Interpretation

I have a King, who does not speak: Emily Dickinson's Mysterious Poem

Emily Dickinson is a poet that needs no introduction. Her poems are full of mystery, wonder, and depth. One such poem is "I have a King, who does not speak." This poem is a prime example of Dickinson's unique style and her ability to create an air of mystery around her poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of this enigmatic poem and try to unravel its meaning.

The Poem

I have a King, who does not speak—
So wondering—thro’ the hours meek
I trudge the day away—

Half glad when it is night, and sleep,
If, haply, thro’ a dream, to peep
In parlors shut by day.

And if I do not chance to meet
My King—unto the Deities
Deputed by His Majesty,
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45706/i-have-a-king-who-does-not-speak-

The poem is a short one, consisting of only three stanzas. At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. It talks about a person who has a king who does not speak. The person spends their day wondering and trudging along until night comes, and they can sleep. They find solace in their dreams, where they can peer into closed parlors. The last stanza talks about the person's inability to meet their king and how they seek the help of the deities appointed by the king.

Analysis

Now, let's dive deeper into the poem and try to understand its meaning. At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple narrative. However, as we delve deeper, we realize that it is a profound allegory that deals with complex themes such as power, authority, and communication.

The poem's first line, "I have a King, who does not speak," sets the tone for the entire poem. It immediately creates an air of mystery and intrigue. The person has a king, but the king does not speak. Why doesn't the king speak? Is he mute, or is he choosing not to communicate? These questions are left unanswered. However, this lack of communication is significant. It creates a power dynamic between the person and the king. The king holds all the power, but he chooses not to communicate with his subject.

The second line, "So wondering—thro’ the hours meek, I trudge the day away—," highlights the person's boredom and monotony. They have nothing to do but wonder and trudge along. The use of the word "meek" is significant. It suggests that the person is humble and submissive, which is expected of a subject in a monarchy. The person has accepted their role as a subject and is content with it.

The third line, "Half glad when it is night, and sleep," suggests that the person finds solace in sleep. Sleep is a way for them to escape their mundane reality and peer into closed parlors. The use of the word "parlors" is significant. Parlors are usually associated with the wealthy and powerful. The fact that they are closed during the day suggests that the person is not allowed to enter them. However, in their dreams, they can peer into them, suggesting that their dreams are a way for them to imagine themselves in a position of power.

The second stanza is where the allegory becomes more apparent. The person is unable to meet their king and seeks the help of the deities appointed by the king. The use of the word "deities" is significant. It suggests that the king is a god-like figure, and the deities appointed by him are his representatives on earth. The fact that the person cannot meet their king highlights the power dynamic between them. The king holds all the power and chooses who he communicates with.

The last stanza, "And if I do not chance to meet, My King—unto the Deities, Deputed by His Majesty," highlights the person's submission to the king's authority. They understand their place in society and accept it. However, the fact that they still seek to meet their king suggests that they aspire to be in a position of power. The poem ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the reader to wonder whether the person will ever meet their king or stay in their submissive role.

Interpretation

Now that we have analyzed the poem, we can interpret it. "I have a King, who does not speak," is a profound allegory that deals with power, authority, and communication. The poem's use of allegory creates an air of mystery and intrigue, and the lack of communication between the person and the king creates a power dynamic between them. The person is content with their submissive role but aspires to be in a position of power.

The poem also comments on the importance of communication in a society. The king's unwillingness to communicate suggests that he is not interested in the well-being of his subjects. Communication is essential in any society, and the lack of it can lead to power imbalances and oppression.

Finally, the poem comments on the human condition. We all aspire to be in a position of power, but not all of us can achieve it. The person's inability to meet their king highlights the fact that power is not always attainable, and we must accept our place in society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "I have a King, who does not speak," is a profound allegory that deals with complex themes such as power, authority, and communication. The poem's creation of an air of mystery and intrigue, the power dynamic between the person and the king, and the importance of communication are all significant. The poem comments on the human condition and reminds us that power is not always attainable, and we must accept our place in society.

Emily Dickinson's poetry has continued to inspire readers for centuries, and "I have a King, who does not speak," is no exception. The poem's enigmatic nature and profound allegory make it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to intrigue and inspire readers for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I have a King, who does not speak - a poem written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for decades. 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 explore the meaning and significance of this poem and how it relates to Dickinson's life and work.

The poem begins with the line "I have a King, who does not speak," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The speaker is referring to a king who is silent, which is an unusual characteristic for a king. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with paradoxes and contradictions.

The second line of the poem reads, "So wondering, thro' the hours meek," which suggests that the speaker is in a state of wonder or confusion. The use of the word "meek" implies that the speaker is humble and submissive, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The third line of the poem reads, "In silver weeping willows pale," which creates a vivid image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "silver" suggests that the willows are shining or glowing, which adds to the mystical quality of the poem. The willows are also described as "weeping," which suggests that they are sad or mourning.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "He lies at rest, and yet so great," which is another paradoxical statement. The king is both at rest and great, which seems contradictory. This line suggests that the king is powerful even in his silence.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "That wonder freezes on his face," which suggests that the speaker is in awe of the king's greatness. The use of the word "freezes" implies that the speaker is unable to move or speak because of the king's power.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "I ponder how the rich would feel," which suggests that the speaker is considering the reaction of the wealthy to the king's silence. This line implies that the rich are accustomed to being in control and may not understand the power of silence.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "If suddenly 'twere theirs to own," which suggests that the speaker is imagining a scenario in which the rich suddenly possess the king's power. This line implies that the speaker believes that the rich would not be able to handle the power of silence.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "The privilege of the one to die," which suggests that the king's silence is a privilege that only he possesses. This line implies that the king's power is unique and cannot be replicated.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Too rare for us, too dear, that we," which suggests that the speaker believes that the king's power is too rare and valuable for ordinary people to possess. This line implies that the speaker is in awe of the king's power and recognizes its significance.

The final line of the poem reads, "Should cherish it eternally," which suggests that the speaker believes that the king's power should be cherished and valued forever. This line implies that the speaker recognizes the importance of the king's silence and believes that it should be preserved.

Overall, I have a King, who does not speak is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of power and silence. The poem suggests that silence can be a powerful tool and that those who possess it are truly great. The use of paradoxes and contradictions adds to the mystical quality of the poem and creates a sense of wonder and awe in the reader.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's I have a King, who does not speak is a classic piece of literature that continues to captivate readers today. The poem's unique style and powerful message make it a timeless work of art that will continue to be studied and analyzed for generations to come.

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