'What mystery pervades a well!' by Emily Dickinson


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What mystery pervades a well!
That water lives so far-
A neighbor from another world
Residing in a jarWhose limit none have ever seen,
But just his lid of glass-
Like looking every time you please
In an abyss's face!The grass does not appear afraid,
I often wonder he
Can stand so close and look so bold
At what is awe to me.Related somehow they may be,
The sedge stands next the sea-
Where he is floorless
And does no timidity betrayBut nature is a stranger yet;
The ones that cite her most
Have never passed her haunted house,
Nor simplified her ghost.To pity those that know her not
Is helped by the regret
That those who know her, know her less
The nearer her they get.

Editor 1 Interpretation

What Mystery Pervades a Well! by Emily Dickinson

It is no secret that Emily Dickinson is one of the most enigmatic poets of all time. Her works, often shrouded in mystery and ambiguity, have captured the hearts and minds of countless readers since they were first published in the late 19th century. One of her most intriguing poems is "What mystery pervades a well!" – a short but powerful piece that explores the ambiguity and complexity of human nature.

Overview

"What mystery pervades a well!" is a five-stanza poem that consists of ten lines in each stanza. The poem does not follow any specific rhyme scheme, and the rhythm is irregular, adding to the mystery and ambiguity of the piece. The poem begins with the speaker contemplating the mystery of a well – a deep, dark hole in the ground that seems to hold secrets and stories that are hidden from view.

Interpretation

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple meditation on the mystery of a well. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the well is a metaphor for the human mind – a deep, dark place that holds secrets and stories that are hidden from view. The speaker is not simply contemplating the mystery of a well; she is also exploring the complexity of human nature.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker asking the question, "What mystery pervades a well?" The use of the word "pervades" suggests that the mystery is all-encompassing, and cannot be easily explained or understood. The use of the exclamation mark also adds a sense of excitement and wonder to the question, as if the speaker is genuinely intrigued by the mystery of the well.

The second stanza continues the exploration of the well as a metaphor for the human mind. The speaker describes the well as a "dark world" that is "inaccessible to eye." This suggests that the human mind is a complex and mysterious place that cannot be easily understood or accessed. The use of the word "world" also suggests that the human mind is a vast and complex place, with many different layers and dimensions.

The third stanza introduces the idea of memory, with the speaker describing the well as a place where "memories abide." This suggests that the human mind is not just a mysterious and complex place, but also a place where memories are stored and preserved. The use of the word "abide" suggests that memories are not just stored in the mind, but also become a permanent part of it.

The fourth stanza continues the exploration of memory, with the speaker describing the well as a place where "echoes stir." This suggests that memories are not just stored in the mind, but also have an active presence, and can be triggered by certain events or experiences. The use of the word "echoes" also suggests that memories are not just static, but can reverberate throughout the mind, shaping how we think and feel.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker returning to the question of the mystery of the well. However, this time the question is more complex, with the speaker asking, "What mystery pervades a well – / that water can reveal?" This suggests that the mystery of the well is not just about what is hidden in its depths, but also what is revealed by its contents. The use of the word "water" also suggests that the human mind is not just a mysterious and complex place, but also a place of fluidity and change.

Conclusion

"What mystery pervades a well!" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the complexity and mystery of human nature. By using the well as a metaphor for the human mind, Emily Dickinson is able to explore the depths of the human psyche, and the many different layers and dimensions that make us who we are. The use of poetic devices such as metaphor, imagery, and irregular rhythm all add to the mystery and ambiguity of the poem, making it a rich and rewarding piece of literature to explore and interpret.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What mystery pervades a well! - A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores the themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "What mystery pervades a well!" is no exception. In this poem, Dickinson delves into the enigmatic nature of a well and the secrets it holds. Let's take a closer look at this intriguing piece of poetry.

The poem begins with the line, "What mystery pervades a well!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson immediately draws the reader's attention to the mysterious nature of a well. The use of the word "mystery" suggests that there is something unknown or hidden about the well, and the word "pervades" implies that this mystery is all-encompassing and ever-present.

The second line of the poem, "That water lives so far," further emphasizes the mysterious nature of the well. The use of the word "lives" suggests that the water in the well has a life of its own, and the phrase "so far" implies that it is distant and inaccessible. This creates a sense of distance and separation between the reader and the well, as if the well is a world unto itself.

The third line of the poem, "A neighbor from another world," introduces the idea that the well is not just a physical object, but also a spiritual one. The use of the word "neighbor" suggests that the well is close by, but the phrase "from another world" implies that it is not of this world. This creates a sense of otherworldliness and mystery around the well, as if it is a portal to another realm.

The fourth line of the poem, "Residing in a jar," is perhaps the most enigmatic line of the poem. The use of the word "residing" suggests that the well is a living entity, and the phrase "in a jar" implies that it is contained or trapped. This creates a sense of confinement and captivity around the well, as if it is a prisoner of its own mystery.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "Whose limit none have ever seen, But just his lid of glass," further emphasize the mysterious nature of the well. The use of the word "limit" suggests that there is a boundary or edge to the well, but the phrase "none have ever seen" implies that this boundary is unknown and unknowable. The phrase "just his lid of glass" creates a sense of fragility and vulnerability around the well, as if its mystery is protected by a thin layer of glass.

The final two lines of the poem, "Like looking every time you please, In an abyss's face!" bring the poem to a close with a sense of wonder and awe. The use of the word "abyss" suggests that the well is a deep and bottomless pit, and the phrase "looking every time you please" implies that the mystery of the well is always accessible. This creates a sense of infinite possibility and discovery around the well, as if it holds the secrets of the universe.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "What mystery pervades a well!" is a masterful exploration of the enigmatic nature of a well. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of mystery, otherworldliness, and infinite possibility around the well. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of the unknown and the unknowable.

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