'What I see not, I better see' by Emily Dickinson


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What I see not, I better see-
Through Faith-my Hazel Eye
Has periods of shutting-
But, No lid has Memory-For frequent, all my sense obscured
I equally behold
As someone held a light unto
The Features so beloved--And I arise-and in my Dream-
Do Thee distinguished Grace-
Till jealous Daylight interrupt-
And mar thy perfectness-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "What I see not, I better see": A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry

Are you a lover of poetry? Do you enjoy reading works that explore the mysteries of life, death, and the human soul? Then you must read Emily Dickinson's "What I see not, I better see." This poem is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that blends philosophical reflection with lyrical beauty, and offers a compelling vision of the human condition.

In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the depths of this enigmatic poem, analyzing its structure, language, imagery, and themes, and exploring its relevance for contemporary readers. I will argue that "What I see not, I better see" is a quintessential example of Dickinson's unique poetic voice, and a profound meditation on the nature of perception, imagination, and truth.

Structure and Language

Let's start with the structure and language of the poem. "What I see not, I better see" consists of two stanzas, each composed of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other. The meter is iambic trimeter, which means that each line contains three iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The result is a rhythmic and musical flow that enhances the poem's lyrical quality.

But what about the language itself? Dickinson is known for her idiosyncratic use of punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, which often challenge conventional rules of grammar and syntax. In "What I see not, I better see," this is evident in the first line, which begins with an inverted subject-verb order, and in the third line, which lacks a main verb altogether. The effect of these linguistic quirks is to create a sense of ambiguity and mystery, and to invite the reader to engage in an act of interpretation.

Imagery and Symbolism

Now let's turn our attention to the imagery and symbolism of the poem. Dickinson is a master of using vivid and suggestive images to convey complex ideas and emotions. In "What I see not, I better see," she employs a series of metaphors that resonate with the poem's philosophical themes.

The first stanza compares the act of seeing to the process of brewing tea:

What I see not, I better see Through my mind's eye, with mystery Brewing, like a tea In some high and hallowed hall

Here, the mind's eye is depicted as a brewing pot of tea, where the mysteries of perception are steeped and infused. The image of tea evokes warmth, comfort, and intimacy, but also hints at the idea of transformation and metamorphosis. Just as tea leaves change their color and flavor when exposed to hot water, the human mind can also be altered by the act of seeing, or not seeing.

The second stanza shifts the metaphor to that of a bird flying over a landscape:

What I hear not, I better hear When the wind is low; And the cornstalks turn their ear For my teaching, as I go

Here, the ear is compared to a bird that flies over a field, imparting its message to the cornstalks. The image of the bird suggests freedom, agility, and grace, but also hints at the idea of transience and impermanence. Just as a bird can fly away at any moment, so can the message of perception disappear if not grasped at the right time.

Themes and Meanings

So what are the themes and meanings of "What I see not, I better see"? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the nature of perception and imagination, and on the role they play in shaping our understanding of the world.

The first stanza suggests that the act of seeing is not just a matter of passive observation, but of active interpretation. What we see is not always what we think we see, but what we imagine we see. The mind's eye is a powerful tool that can transform reality into mystery, and make the familiar seem strange. The image of the tea brewing in a "high and hallowed hall" suggests that this act of perception is not just a physical process, but a spiritual one, that takes place in the inner sanctum of the mind.

The second stanza extends this idea to the act of hearing, and suggests that what we hear is not just a matter of sound waves, but of meaning. The wind, which is often associated with change, unpredictability, and spiritual forces, becomes a metaphor for the act of interpretation. The bird, which is often associated with freedom, transcendence, and the human soul, becomes a metaphor for the act of imparting meaning.

Taken together, these two stanzas suggest that perception is not just a matter of sensory input, but of imaginative engagement. What we see and hear is not just what is out there, but what we read into it. The act of perception is not just a matter of the eyes and ears, but of the mind and soul.

But what is the significance of this insight? What does it tell us about the human condition? Here, I would argue that "What I see not, I better see" offers a profound critique of conventional ways of knowing and understanding the world. Dickinson is suggesting that the empirical and rational modes of perception, which prioritize objectivity, clarity, and certainty, are insufficient to capture the fullness of human experience. Instead, she advocates for a more poetic and metaphysical mode of perception, that embraces ambiguity, mystery, and imagination.

Relevance and Conclusion

In conclusion, "What I see not, I better see" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that invites us to rethink our assumptions about perception, imagination, and truth. Its rich imagery, lyrical language, and metaphysical themes make it a quintessential example of Dickinson's unique poetic voice, and a profound meditation on the human condition.

But what makes this poem relevant for contemporary readers? Why should we care about a poem written more than a century ago, by a reclusive poet who barely saw the light of day? I would argue that the relevance of "What I see not, I better see" lies in its challenge to our current ways of knowing and understanding the world. In an era of information overload, where facts are often conflated with opinions, and where truth is often reduced to a matter of personal preference, Dickinson's poetic vision offers a refreshing alternative. It reminds us that the act of perception is not just a matter of passive consumption, but of active engagement. It reminds us that what we see and hear is not just what is out there, but what we bring to it. And it reminds us that the human mind is capable of infinite wonder, mystery, and insight, if only we allow ourselves to see what we do not see.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What I see not, I better see - a poem by Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of human perception and the limitations of our senses. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea that what we perceive is not always the truth, and that sometimes we need to look beyond what we see to understand the world around us.

The poem begins with the line "What I see not, I better see," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Dickinson is acknowledging that there are things that we cannot see, and that by acknowledging this fact, we can better understand the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a deeper truth that lies beyond what we can see with our eyes.

The second line of the poem, "Through a glass darkly," is a reference to a biblical passage from 1 Corinthians 13:12. In this passage, the apostle Paul is discussing the limitations of human knowledge and understanding, and he uses the metaphor of looking through a glass darkly to describe our limited perception of the world. Dickinson is drawing on this metaphor to suggest that our perception of the world is limited, and that we need to look beyond what we can see to truly understand it.

The third line of the poem, "I better see," is a call to action. Dickinson is suggesting that by acknowledging the limitations of our perception, we can better understand the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a sense of urgency to this understanding - that we need to act quickly to better understand the world before us.

The fourth line of the poem, "What I have not, I cannot share," is a reflection on the limitations of human communication. Dickinson is acknowledging that there are things that we cannot share with others because we do not fully understand them ourselves. This line also suggests that there is a sense of isolation that comes with this lack of understanding - that we are alone in our perception of the world.

The fifth line of the poem, "What I am, you cannot see," is a reflection on the limitations of human perception. Dickinson is acknowledging that there are aspects of ourselves that others cannot see, and that we cannot fully understand ourselves. This line also suggests that there is a sense of mystery to our own existence - that there are aspects of ourselves that we may never fully understand.

The sixth line of the poem, "What I see not, you see," is a reflection on the idea that others may see things that we cannot. Dickinson is acknowledging that there are different perspectives on the world, and that by sharing these perspectives, we can better understand the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a sense of community that comes with this understanding - that we are not alone in our perception of the world.

The seventh line of the poem, "And what we see, we both see," is a reflection on the idea that there is a shared perception of the world. Dickinson is acknowledging that there are aspects of the world that we can all see, and that by acknowledging these shared perceptions, we can better understand the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a sense of unity that comes with this understanding - that we are all connected by our perception of the world.

The eighth line of the poem, "And that no man may make it less," is a reflection on the idea that our perception of the world is valuable and cannot be diminished by others. Dickinson is acknowledging that our perception of the world is important, and that we should not allow others to diminish it. This line also suggests that there is a sense of empowerment that comes with this understanding - that we have the power to shape our own perception of the world.

The ninth line of the poem, "For what I see, I trust," is a reflection on the idea that our perception of the world is based on trust. Dickinson is acknowledging that we trust our own perception of the world, and that this trust is essential to our understanding of the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a sense of faith that comes with this understanding - that we have faith in our own perception of the world.

The tenth line of the poem, "And what I trust, I love," is a reflection on the idea that our perception of the world is based on love. Dickinson is acknowledging that we love what we trust, and that this love is essential to our understanding of the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a sense of passion that comes with this understanding - that we are passionate about our perception of the world.

The eleventh line of the poem, "And what I love, I praise," is a reflection on the idea that our perception of the world is based on praise. Dickinson is acknowledging that we praise what we love, and that this praise is essential to our understanding of the world around us. This line also suggests that there is a sense of appreciation that comes with this understanding - that we appreciate our perception of the world.

The final line of the poem, "And what I praise, I see," is a reflection on the idea that our perception of the world is based on what we praise. Dickinson is acknowledging that what we praise shapes our perception of the world, and that by praising the world around us, we can better understand it. This line also suggests that there is a sense of reciprocity that comes with this understanding - that our perception of the world shapes our praise, and our praise shapes our perception of the world.

In conclusion, What I see not, I better see is a powerful poem that explores the limitations of human perception and the importance of looking beyond what we can see to truly understand the world around us. Through a series of reflections on trust, love, and praise, Dickinson suggests that our perception of the world is shaped by our own experiences and that by acknowledging the limitations of our perception, we can better understand the world before us. This poem is a testament to the power of human perception and the importance of looking beyond what we can see to truly understand the world around us.

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