'These-saw Visions' by Emily Dickinson
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These-saw Visions-
Latch them softly-
These-held Dimples-
Smooth them slow-
This-addressed departing accents-
Quick-Sweet Mouth-to miss thee so-This-We stroked-
Unnumbered Satin-
These-we held among our own-
Fingers of the Slim Aurora-
Not so arrogant-this Noon-These-adjust-that ran to meet us-
Pearl-for Stocking-Pearl for Shoe-
Paradise-the only Palace
Fit for Her reception-now-
Editor 1 Interpretation
These-saw Visions: An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poetic Vision
Emily Dickinson is one of the most enigmatic and intriguing poets of the 19th century. Her poems, though often short and seemingly simple, are rich with meaning and depth, exploring themes of life, death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most striking poems, "These-saw Visions," is a haunting meditation on the nature of perception and the limitations of human understanding. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and poetic techniques that make "These-saw Visions" such a powerful and enduring work of literature.
Overview of "These-saw Visions"
Before diving into a close reading of "These-saw Visions," let's take a moment to look at the poem as a whole. Here is the text of the poem:
These-saw Visions - Latch them-
Till the Products
Of those
Saw Visions
Get full weight-
Make the Dye
And the Cloth
For the Sails
Of the Boats
To fetch us home.
At first glance, this poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. It is only six lines long, and contains several obscure references and symbols. However, by examining the poem's themes, symbols, and poetic devices, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Themes of "These-saw Visions"
One of the central themes of "These-saw Visions" is the nature of perception and understanding. The speaker of the poem suggests that there are certain visions or insights that are beyond our immediate grasp, and that we must "latch them" and wait until their "products" become fully apparent. This idea of waiting for insight or understanding is echoed in the final line of the poem, which speaks of "fetch[ing] us home" – perhaps suggesting that the ultimate homecoming or spiritual insight cannot be achieved until we have waited for the right moment and the right conditions.
Another theme that pervades "These-saw Visions" is the idea of creation and transformation. The speaker suggests that the visions they have seen must be transformed into tangible objects such as dye and cloth, which can then be used to create something new – in this case, the sails of boats. This idea of creation and transformation is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and suggests that even the most profound insights or experiences must be translated into concrete forms in order to have an impact on the world.
Finally, "These-saw Visions" touches on the themes of journey and return. The image of the boats returning home suggests a cyclical journey, in which one must venture out into the unknown in order to gain new insights, but then return home in order to share them with others. This idea of journey and return is also tied to the theme of transformation, as the speaker suggests that the insights gained on the journey must be transformed into tangible forms in order to be useful.
Symbols in "These-saw Visions"
Like many of Dickinson's poems, "These-saw Visions" contains several symbols that help to deepen its meaning and significance. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is that of the boats, which represent both the journey and the eventual return home. The boats are also associated with the sails, which are made from the dye and cloth produced from the visions seen by the speaker. This association between the boats and the sails suggests a close connection between the journey and the insights gained from it, as well as the importance of translating those insights into tangible forms in order to have an impact on the world.
Another important symbol in "These-saw Visions" is that of the dye and cloth. The speaker suggests that the products of their visions must be transformed into dye and cloth, which can then be used to create the sails for the boats. This transformation suggests the importance of taking abstract insights or experiences and turning them into something concrete and tangible, which can then be used to create something new and useful. The image of dye and cloth also suggests a connection to the natural world, as these are materials that are produced from plants and animals.
Finally, the title of the poem itself – "These-saw Visions" – is a symbol that suggests both the importance and the limitations of the speaker's perceptions. The phrase "these-saw" implies a personal and subjective experience, while "visions" suggests a transcendent and universal insight. The combination of these two elements suggests that the insights gained by the speaker are both personal and universal, but that they must be translated into tangible forms in order to have an impact on the world.
Poetic Techniques in "These-saw Visions"
In addition to its themes and symbols, "These-saw Visions" also contains several poetic techniques that help to make it such a striking and memorable work of literature. One of the most notable techniques used in the poem is repetition, particularly in the use of the word "saw." This repetition serves to emphasize the importance and significance of the speaker's visions, while also suggesting the limitations of their understanding.
Another important poetic technique used in "These-saw Visions" is imagery. The image of the boats and the sails, for example, helps to create a vivid and memorable picture in the reader's mind, while also reinforcing the themes of journey and transformation. The image of the dye and cloth, meanwhile, suggests a connection to the natural world and reinforces the poem's themes of creation and transformation.
Finally, "These-saw Visions" also contains several examples of Dickinson's characteristic use of dashes and capitalization. The dashes help to create a sense of fragmentation and ambiguity, while also suggesting the limitations of human understanding. The capitalization, meanwhile, serves to emphasize the importance and significance of certain words and phrases, such as "Products" and "Sails."
Conclusion
In conclusion, "These-saw Visions" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores themes of perception, creation, and journey. Through its use of symbols, imagery, and poetic techniques, the poem suggests the importance and limitations of human understanding, while also emphasizing the transformative power of insight and experience. Despite its brevity, "These-saw Visions" is a work of great depth and significance, and stands as a testament to Emily Dickinson's enduring poetic vision.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems, "These-saw Visions," is a perfect example of her poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "These-saw Visions," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "these" suggests that the speaker has seen multiple visions, and the hyphenation of "saw" creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. The word "visions" implies that these are not ordinary experiences but rather supernatural or mystical encounters.
The second line, "Latch them - softly - on the Soul," suggests that the speaker is trying to hold onto these visions, to keep them close and make them a part of their being. The use of the word "latch" implies that these visions are fleeting and that the speaker must work to keep them from slipping away. The word "softly" suggests that the speaker is gentle and careful in their approach, as if they are handling something delicate and precious.
The third line, "Hope begins to shiver," introduces a sense of uncertainty and fear. The word "hope" suggests that the speaker is holding onto these visions as a source of comfort or inspiration, but the word "shiver" implies that this hope is fragile and easily shaken. The use of the present tense "begins" suggests that this shivering is just beginning, that the speaker is on the cusp of losing their grip on these visions.
The fourth line, "Cancer - on the Bone," is a startling image that suggests the speaker is experiencing physical pain or illness. The word "cancer" is a powerful metaphor for something that is eating away at the speaker's very being, and the phrase "on the Bone" suggests that this is a deep and pervasive affliction. This line introduces a sense of darkness and despair that contrasts sharply with the hopeful tone of the first three lines.
The fifth line, "Doubt - alights - upon the Soul," reinforces the sense of uncertainty and fear introduced in the third line. The word "doubt" suggests that the speaker is questioning the validity of these visions, that they are unsure if they can trust what they have seen. The use of the word "alights" implies that doubt is like a bird that has landed on the speaker's soul, that it is a temporary but unwelcome presence.
The sixth line, "Angel - of the Sternum," introduces a new image that is both beautiful and unsettling. The word "angel" suggests that the speaker is experiencing something divine or otherworldly, but the phrase "of the Sternum" suggests that this experience is also physical and visceral. The sternum is the breastbone, the central bone of the chest, and the use of this word suggests that the speaker is feeling something deep in their core.
The seventh line, "Interrupted - Swoon," suggests that the speaker has been overcome by these visions, that they have experienced a moment of intense emotion or ecstasy. The word "interrupted" implies that this experience was brief and that the speaker was abruptly brought back to reality. The word "swoon" suggests that the speaker was overcome by a feeling of faintness or dizziness, that they were so overwhelmed by what they saw that they almost lost consciousness.
The eighth line, "Borne - Infinity," suggests that the speaker has been transported to another realm, that they have experienced something beyond the limits of human understanding. The word "borne" implies that the speaker was carried or lifted up, that they were not in control of their own movement. The word "infinity" suggests that the speaker has experienced something vast and limitless, something that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
The ninth line, "Safe - in their Alabaster Chambers," introduces a new image that is both beautiful and eerie. The phrase "Alabaster Chambers" suggests that the speaker is in a place of great beauty and purity, but the use of the word "chambers" implies that this place is also enclosed and isolated. The word "safe" suggests that the speaker is protected from harm, but it also implies that they are cut off from the outside world.
The final line, "Untouched - by Morning," suggests that the speaker is reluctant to leave this place of beauty and return to the mundane world of everyday life. The word "untouched" implies that the speaker wants to preserve this experience, to keep it pure and unspoiled. The phrase "by Morning" suggests that the speaker knows that this experience is temporary, that they will soon be forced to return to the harsh realities of the world.
In conclusion, "These-saw Visions" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of hope, doubt, pain, and transcendence. The use of vivid imagery, unconventional punctuation, and a unique poetic style creates a sense of urgency and immediacy that draws the reader in and holds their attention. Emily Dickinson's poetic genius is on full display in this classic poem, and it remains a testament to her enduring legacy as one of America's greatest poets.
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