'I like to see it lap the miles,' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I like to see it lap the miles,
And lick the valleys up,
And stop to feed itself at tanks;
And then, prodigious, step
Around a pile of mountains,
And, supercilious, peer
In shanties by the sides of roads;
And then a quarry pare
To fit its sides, and crawl between,
Complaining all the while
In horrid, hooting stanza;
Then chase itself down hill
And neigh like Boanerges;
Then, punctual as a star,
Stop--docile and omnipotent--
At its own stable door.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I like to see it lap the miles: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson. What can we say about this amazing poet? Her unique style and voice have captivated readers for generations, and her poetry has stood the test of time. In this article, we'll dive into one of Dickinson's most famous poems, "I like to see it lap the miles," and explore its meaning and significance.
The Poem
Before we get into the analysis, let's take a look at the poem itself:
I like to see it lap the miles,
And lick the valleys up,
And stop to feed itself at tanks;
And then, prodigious, step
Around a pile of mountains,
And, supercilious, peer
In shanties by the sides of roads;
And then a quarry pare
To fit its sides, and crawl between,
Complaining all the while
In horrid, hooting stanza;
Then chase itself down hill
And neigh like Boanerges;
Then, punctual as a star,
Stop--docile and omnipotent--
At its own stable door.
At first glance, this poem may seem a little confusing. What does it mean for something to "lap the miles" and "lick the valleys up"? And what is this "it" that we're talking about? Well, let's break it down.
Analysis
The "it" in this poem is a train. Dickinson was writing at a time when trains were a new and exciting technology, and she was fascinated by them. In this poem, she describes a train as it travels through the countryside, stopping at stations to refuel and continuing on its journey.
But this poem is about more than just a train. It's about the power and majesty of technology, and how it can transform the world around us. The train is described as "prodigious" and "omnipotent," suggesting that it is a force to be reckoned with. It is able to "step around a pile of mountains" and "crawl between" them, suggesting that it is able to conquer even the most difficult terrain.
But the train is not just a symbol of power and progress. It is also a symbol of humanity's impact on the natural world. Dickinson describes the train as "complaining all the while / In horrid, hooting stanza," suggesting that it is a disruptive force in the peaceful countryside. The train is also described as "superb" and "supercilious," suggesting that it is arrogant and indifferent to the world around it.
Despite this, the train is also described as "docile" and "punctual as a star." It is able to operate with precision and efficiency, arriving at its destination on time and without incident. This suggests that while technology may be disruptive, it is also capable of bringing order and stability to our lives.
Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? Well, one interpretation of this poem is that it is a commentary on the Industrial Revolution and the rise of technology in the 19th century. Dickinson was writing at a time when the world was changing rapidly, and she was interested in exploring the impact of these changes on society and the natural world.
The train in this poem represents the power and potential of technology, but it is also a symbol of humanity's impact on the environment. Dickinson suggests that while technology may bring progress and efficiency, it also has the potential to be destructive and disruptive.
Another interpretation of this poem is that it is a celebration of the power and majesty of the natural world. Despite the train's ability to conquer mountains and crawl through quarries, it is ultimately no match for the beauty and complexity of the world around it. Dickinson suggests that while technology may be impressive, it can never truly match the wonder and mystery of the natural world.
Conclusion
"I like to see it lap the miles" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between humans, technology, and the natural world. Through her description of a train as it travels through the countryside, Dickinson explores the potential of technology to transform our lives and the world around us, while also acknowledging the potential for destruction and disruption.
Ultimately, this poem is a reminder that while technology may be impressive, it can never truly match the beauty and wonder of the natural world. It is a call to appreciate the complexity and diversity of the world around us, and to consider the impact that our actions may have on the environment and the future of our planet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson’s poem “I like to see it lap the miles” is a classic piece of American literature that has captivated readers for generations. With its vivid imagery and powerful language, this poem explores themes of movement, progress, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, examining its structure, language, and symbolism to uncover its deeper meanings.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her fascination with a train as it “laps” the miles, moving steadily and relentlessly forward. The train is personified, given human qualities as it “pant[s]” and “huff[s]” its way along the tracks. This personification serves to emphasize the power and energy of the train, as well as its relentless forward motion. The train is not just a machine, but a living, breathing entity that embodies the spirit of progress and movement.
As the poem progresses, the speaker’s fascination with the train deepens, and she begins to see it as a symbol of something greater. The train becomes a metaphor for the human desire for knowledge and understanding, as it “asks no questions” and “stops at no station”. The train is driven by a relentless curiosity, a thirst for knowledge that propels it forward without pause or hesitation. This metaphorical interpretation of the train is reinforced by the poem’s title, which suggests that the speaker is not just observing the train, but actively seeking it out, eager to witness its progress and movement.
The poem’s structure is also significant, with its use of repetition and rhyme creating a sense of rhythm and momentum that mirrors the train’s forward motion. The poem is composed of six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second and fourth lines do not. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as the reader is drawn forward by the rhyme scheme, mirroring the train’s relentless progress along the tracks.
The poem’s language is also notable, with its use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creating a sense of depth and complexity. The train is described as “iron” and “steel”, emphasizing its strength and durability, while its movement is compared to the “quivering” of a bird’s wings. This metaphorical comparison serves to highlight the train’s power and energy, as well as its grace and fluidity.
The poem’s final stanza is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes the train’s arrival at its destination, where it “pauses at the station’s door”. This moment of stillness and pause is significant, as it suggests that even the most relentless pursuit of knowledge must eventually come to a halt. The train’s journey may be over, but its legacy lives on, as it has inspired the speaker and countless others to continue their own pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s poem “I like to see it lap the miles” is a powerful and evocative exploration of movement, progress, and the human desire for knowledge. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a carefully crafted structure, this poem captures the essence of the train as a symbol of human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Its message is timeless and universal, reminding us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we must never lose sight of our own desire to learn and grow.
Editor Recommended Sites
Learn by Example: Learn programming, llm fine tuning, computer science, machine learning by exampleLLM Book: Large language model book. GPT-4, gpt-4, chatGPT, bard / palm best practice
Crypto Trading - Best practice for swing traders & Crypto Technical Analysis: Learn crypto technical analysis, liquidity, momentum, fundamental analysis and swing trading techniques
Realtime Data: Realtime data for streaming and processing
Learn GPT: Learn large language models and local fine tuning for enterprise applications
Recommended Similar Analysis
Cinderella by Anne Sexton analysisNo Second Troy by William Butler Yeats analysis
Preciosa Y El Aire by Federico García Lorca analysis
Stars by Robert Frost analysis
The Power Of Words by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Holy Sonnet VI: This Is My Play's Last Scene, Here Heavens Appoint by John Donne analysis
To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Nothing by William Butler Yeats analysis
I cannot live with You by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Little Vagabond by William Blake analysis
Sonnet 130: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun by William Shakespeare analysis