'Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord' by Emily Dickinson


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Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord,
Then, I am ready to go!
Just a look at the Horses-
Rapid! That will do!Put me in on the firmest side-
So I shall never fall-
For we must ride to the Judgment-
And it's partly, down Hill-But never I mind the steeper-
And never I mind the Sea-
Held fast in Everlasting Race-
By my own Choice, and Thee-Goodbye to the Life I used to live-
And the World I used to know-
And kiss the Hills, for me, just once-
Then-I am ready to go!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Emily Dickinson's "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord"

Emily Dickinson is a celebrated poet of the 19th century who continues to inspire people even today. Her poems are known for their unconventional style and unorthodox themes. Among her many poems, "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" stands out as a masterpiece that showcases her unique perspective on life, death, and faith.

Background and Context

Emily Dickinson wrote "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" in 1862, during a time of great turmoil in her life. She had recently experienced a crisis of faith and was struggling to understand the meaning of life and death. This poem reflects her search for answers as she grapples with the existential questions that plague us all.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker asking the Lord to "tie the strings" of her life. This can be interpreted as a request for guidance and direction. The speaker is acknowledging that she is lost and in need of help.

The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker asking the Lord to "tune my quivering instrument." This can be interpreted as a request for the Lord to bring order and harmony to the speaker's life. The use of the word "quivering" implies that the speaker's life is unsteady and uncertain, and she is asking the Lord to bring stability and clarity.

The third stanza is where the poem takes on a deeper meaning. The speaker asks the Lord to "touch the trembling chords" of her soul. This is a metaphor for the speaker's innermost being, her thoughts, and emotions. The use of the word "trembling" suggests that the speaker is afraid or anxious. The speaker is asking the Lord to help her find peace and calmness in the face of her fears.

The fourth stanza is particularly poignant. The speaker asks the Lord to "not let the wind / make a too sad sound." This can be interpreted as a plea for the Lord to protect the speaker from the harsh realities of life. The use of the word "wind" suggests that the speaker is vulnerable and exposed to the elements. The speaker is asking the Lord to shield her from the pain and suffering that comes with living.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle. The speaker asks the Lord to "tie me - cradle me" and to "bind me - so that I may be free." This is the paradox of faith. The speaker is asking the Lord to constrain her, to bind her, in order to find true freedom. This is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. She often writes about the paradoxical nature of faith and how it can bring freedom and liberation even as it imposes limits and constraints.

Interpretation

At its core, "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" is a poem about faith and trust. The speaker is asking the Lord to guide her, to protect her, and to bring meaning to her life. This is a deeply personal poem, reflecting Dickinson's own struggles with faith and doubt.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. We are all searching for meaning and purpose in our lives. We all experience fear and uncertainty. The speaker's plea to the Lord is a universal one. It speaks to the human desire for guidance and direction in a world that can often seem chaotic and confusing.

Ultimately, "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human soul. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is hope and comfort to be found in faith.

Conclusion

Emily Dickinson's "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to inspire and move readers today. Its themes of faith, trust, and the human condition are timeless and universal. Dickinson's unique voice and perspective make this poem a true work of art, one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful and powerful expression of the poet's deep faith and her desire to be connected to God in every aspect of her life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing God directly, asking Him to "tie the strings" of her life to Him. This metaphorical language suggests that the poet wants to be connected to God in a deep and meaningful way, like a puppet on a string. She wants God to be the guiding force in her life, controlling her every movement and decision. This desire for a close relationship with God is a central theme of the poem, and it is expressed in a variety of ways throughout the text.

One of the most striking features of this poem is its structure. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines, and each line has a consistent meter and rhyme scheme. This formal structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is appropriate for a poem about the desire for a close relationship with God. The use of rhyme and meter also creates a musical quality to the poem, which adds to its emotional impact.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the text. The speaker asks God to "tie the strings to my life, my Lord, / Then I am ready to go!" This line suggests that the poet is ready to surrender herself completely to God, to let Him guide her wherever He wants her to go. The use of the word "Lord" emphasizes the speaker's faith and her belief in God's power and authority. The second line of the stanza, "Just a line and a hook from Thee / Is long enough for me," reinforces this idea of surrender and submission. The speaker is willing to be caught like a fish on a hook, as long as it is God who is doing the catching.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of surrender and submission. The speaker says, "Every day a little more / I'll walk with Thee, my Lord." This line suggests that the poet wants to be in constant communion with God, to walk with Him every day and be guided by His wisdom and love. The use of the word "little" suggests that this is a gradual process, that the speaker is willing to take small steps towards a closer relationship with God. The third line of the stanza, "You are the Master, I the slave," reinforces the idea of submission and surrender. The speaker acknowledges that God is the Master, and she is the slave, and she is willing to do whatever He asks of her.

The third stanza of the poem takes a slightly different turn. The speaker says, "Tie me gently, then, with one / Soft cord, for life is slender." This line suggests that the poet is aware of the fragility of life, and she wants to be tied to God gently, with a soft cord. The use of the word "slender" emphasizes the idea that life is fleeting and delicate, and that the poet wants to be connected to God in a way that is gentle and loving. The fourth line of the stanza, "Soul to soul can never sever," reinforces the idea of a deep and meaningful connection between the poet and God. The use of the phrase "soul to soul" suggests that this connection is spiritual and eternal, and that it can never be broken.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together in a powerful and emotional conclusion. The speaker says, "When the angel Death draws nigh, / Blessed Jesus, hear my cry!" This line suggests that the poet is aware of her mortality, and she wants to be connected to God even in death. The use of the word "angel" suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is part of God's plan for us. The final two lines of the poem, "Humbly at Thy feet I'll lie, / Wait Thy summons, and reply," reinforce the idea of surrender and submission. The speaker is willing to lie humbly at God's feet, waiting for His summons, and ready to reply with obedience and love.

In terms of language, this poem is full of powerful and evocative imagery. The use of the metaphor of strings and cords suggests a deep and meaningful connection between the poet and God, while the use of the word "Lord" emphasizes the speaker's faith and her belief in God's power and authority. The use of rhyme and meter creates a musical quality to the poem, which adds to its emotional impact. The repetition of the phrase "my Lord" throughout the poem reinforces the idea of a close and personal relationship between the poet and God.

In conclusion, "Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord" is a beautiful and powerful expression of the poet's deep faith and her desire to be connected to God in every aspect of her life. The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the themes of surrender and submission, and the language is full of powerful and evocative imagery. This poem is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and poetic genius, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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