'A Prison gets to be a friend' by Emily Dickinson

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A Prison gets to be a friend-
Between its Ponderous face
And Ours-a Kinsmanship express-
And in its narrow Eyes-We come to look with gratitude
For the appointed Beam
It deal us-stated as our food-
And hungered for-the same-We learn to know the Planks-
That answer to Our feet-
So miserable a sound-at first-
Nor ever now-so sweet-As plashing in the Pools-
When Memory was a Boy-
But a Demurer Circuit-
A Geometric Joy-The Posture of the Key
That interrupt the Day
To Our Endeavor-Not so real
The Check of Liberty-As this Phantasm Steel-
Whose features-Day and Night-
Are present to us-as Our Own-
And as escapeless-quite-The narrow Round-the Stint-
The slow exchange of Hope-
For something passiver-Content
Too steep for lookinp up-The Liberty we knew
Avoided-like a Dream-
Too wide for any Night but Heaven-
If That-indeed-redeem-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry as a Friend in "A Prison gets to be a friend" by Emily Dickinson

Have you ever found yourself trapped in a situation that feels like a prison? Have you ever felt that the only way to survive is to make friends with your own limitations and fears? If so, you might find a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson's poem "A Prison gets to be a friend". In this masterpiece of American literature, Dickinson explores the theme of psychological imprisonment and the power of poetry to provide solace and companionship.

But before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of its author. Emily Dickinson was a notoriously reclusive poet who lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely venturing out of her family home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She wrote over 1800 poems, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. It was only after her death in 1886 that her sister Lavinia discovered the trunk full of manuscripts and brought them to the attention of the world. Since then, Dickinson's poetry has been hailed as one of the most original and influential voices in American literature, and "A Prison gets to be a friend" is no exception.

The poem begins with a powerful image: "A Prison gets to be a friend -". The use of the verb "gets" implies a gradual process, as if the speaker has come to terms with their confinement over time. The word "friend" is unexpected, given the negative connotations of prison. However, it suggests that the speaker has found a way to make peace with their situation and even sees it as a source of comfort.

The second line reinforces this idea: "Between its Ponderous face / And Ours - a Kinsmanship". The metaphor of the "ponderous face" suggests a heavy burden or a suffocating weight, but the word "kinsmanship" implies a familial bond, a sense of belonging. The speaker seems to be saying that there is a connection between themselves and the prison, as if they are part of the same family. This is a remarkable shift in perspective, as the reader is forced to question their assumptions about what it means to be imprisoned. Is it always a negative experience? Can it be a source of identity and even pride?

The third line introduces the theme of poetry: "We learn to know the Plank and feel / The Granite Limbs -". The use of the verb "learn" suggests that the speaker has acquired a new skill or knowledge, as if they have been in prison for a long time. The reference to the "Plank" and the "Granite Limbs" suggests a physical confinement, as if the speaker is in a cell made of wood and stone. However, the choice of words also suggests a familiarity with the material, as if the speaker has studied it closely and come to appreciate its texture and solidity. This is where poetry enters the picture:

"To entertain our Woe / With Thrill -".

The verb "to entertain" is unexpected, given the gravity of the situation. It suggests a kind of playfulness, as if the speaker is finding amusement or distraction in their own suffering. The word "Woe" is capitalized, as if it is a proper noun or a personification. It suggests a sense of grandeur or majesty, as if the speaker's pain is not just a personal affliction but a cosmic force. The phrase "With Thrill" is ambiguous, as it could mean either "with excitement" or "with shivers". Either way, it suggests a physical response to the emotional experience of imprisonment.

The next line deepens the connection between poetry and the speaker's condition:

"Pain - has an Element of Blank -".

The word "Pain" is capitalized, as if it is a proper noun or a personification. It suggests a sense of importance or significance, as if the speaker's pain is not just a random occurrence but a meaningful part of their existence. The phrase "Element of Blank" is intriguing, as it implies a kind of emptiness or void. It suggests that pain is not just a sensation but a form of absence, a lack of something that should be there. This is where poetry comes in:

"It cannot recollect / When it begun -".

The use of the verb "recollect" is significant, as it suggests a memory or a sense of the past. The phrase "When it begun" is deliberately ungrammatical, as if to emphasize the confusion and uncertainty of the situation. It suggests that pain is not just a physical or emotional sensation but a temporal puzzle, a mystery that cannot be solved. This is where poetry provides a solution:

"Or if there were a time / When it was not -".

The conditional phrase "if there were" suggests a hypothetical situation, as if the speaker is imagining a world without pain. The phrase "When it was not" is ambiguous, as it could mean either "when pain did not exist" or "when the speaker was not aware of pain". Either way, it suggests a longing for a prelapsarian state, a time before the fall into suffering. This is where poetry provides a consolation:

"It has no Future but itself -".

The use of the verb "has" is significant, as it suggests a possession or a property. The phrase "no Future but itself" is paradoxical, as it suggests that pain is both finite and infinite. It suggests that pain is not just a temporal phenomenon but a self-contained system, a closed loop that cannot be broken. This is where poetry provides a revelation:

"Its Infinity - / It has no past -".

The capitalization of the word "Infinity" is significant, as it suggests a cosmic or metaphysical concept. The phrase "It has no past" is intriguing, as it implies a kind of timelessness or eternity. It suggests that pain is not just a historical phenomenon but a metaphysical fact, a universal truth that transcends individual experience. This is where poetry provides a transformation:

"No Future - but itself - / Its Infinite contain / Its Past - enlightened to perceive / New Periods - of Pain".

The repetition of the phrase "No Future - but itself" reinforces the idea of pain as a closed system. The phrase "Its Infinite contain" is significant, as it suggests a containment or a boundary. The phrase "Its Past - enlightened to perceive" is intriguing, as it implies a kind of illumination or enlightenment. It suggests that pain is not just a dark abyss but a source of knowledge and insight. The phrase "New Periods - of Pain" is ominous, as it suggests a never-ending cycle of suffering. However, it also suggests a kind of renewal or rebirth, as if pain is not just a punishment but a challenge, a way to grow and evolve.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "A Prison gets to be a friend" is a remarkable exploration of the theme of psychological imprisonment and the power of poetry to provide solace and companionship. By using a series of metaphors and paradoxes, Dickinson creates a complex and nuanced portrait of the human condition, one that celebrates the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. Whether you have experienced a literal prison or a metaphorical one, whether you are a poet or a reader, this poem is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of art and the enduring beauty of the human voice.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry A Prison gets to be a friend: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry A Prison gets to be a friend," is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the themes and motifs that make it such a timeless work of art.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry a prison gets to be," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "prison" suggests confinement and restriction, and it is clear that Dickinson is using this metaphor to describe the limitations that poetry can impose on the writer. However, the use of the word "gets" suggests that this confinement is not necessarily a negative thing, but rather something that the writer willingly embraces.

The second line of the poem, "Lest the maker's freedom be," reinforces this idea of voluntary confinement. Dickinson is suggesting that the writer willingly submits to the constraints of poetry in order to achieve a greater sense of freedom. This is a powerful concept, and one that is central to the poem's overall message.

The third line of the poem, "Life is a prison when you're in love," is a departure from the previous two lines, and introduces a new theme into the poem. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that love can also be a form of confinement, and that it can be just as limiting as poetry. This is an interesting idea, and one that adds depth and complexity to the poem.

The fourth line of the poem, "And poetry the ball and chain," brings us back to the central metaphor of the poem. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is a burden, something that weighs the writer down and restricts their freedom. However, the use of the word "ball and chain" also suggests that this burden is something that the writer willingly carries, and that it is a necessary part of the creative process.

The fifth line of the poem, "But when the prison doors are shut," introduces a new idea into the poem. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the act of writing poetry is a form of escape, a way for the writer to break free from the constraints of their own mind. This is a powerful concept, and one that is central to the poem's overall message.

The sixth line of the poem, "And all the world is still," reinforces this idea of escape. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that when the writer is fully immersed in the act of writing, the rest of the world fades away, and they are able to achieve a sense of peace and stillness. This is a beautiful image, and one that captures the essence of what it means to be a writer.

The seventh line of the poem, "The sky is prison blue," is a departure from the previous lines, and introduces a new motif into the poem. Here, Dickinson is using the color blue to symbolize confinement and restriction. This is an interesting choice, and one that adds depth and complexity to the poem.

The eighth line of the poem, "And stars that often kissed it through," is a continuation of the previous motif. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even the stars, which are often associated with freedom and liberation, are confined by the prison-like sky. This is a powerful image, and one that reinforces the central metaphor of the poem.

The ninth line of the poem, "Fence till morning fold them up," is a departure from the previous lines, and introduces a new idea into the poem. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the act of writing poetry is a temporary escape, and that eventually the writer must return to the confines of their own mind. This is a sobering thought, and one that adds a sense of realism to the poem.

The tenth and final line of the poem, "And whosoever was not brave enough to die," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the act of writing poetry requires bravery, and that it is a form of death. This is a profound idea, and one that captures the essence of what it means to be a writer.

In conclusion, "Poetry A Prison gets to be a friend" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience. Through the use of powerful metaphors and motifs, Emily Dickinson is able to capture the essence of what it means to be a writer, and to explore the limitations and freedoms that come with the creative process. This is a timeless work of art, and one that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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