'It's thoughts-and just One Heart' by Emily Dickinson


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It's thoughts-and just One Heart-
And Old Sunshine-about-
Make frugal-Ones-Content-
And two or three-for Company-
Upon a Holiday-
Crowded-as Sacrament-Books-when the Unit-
Spare the Tenant-long eno'-
A Picture-if it Care-
Itself-a Gallery too rare-
For needing more-Flowers-to keep the Eyes-from going awkward-
When it snows-
A Bird-if they-prefer-
Though Winter fire-sing clear as Plover-
To our-ear-A Landscape-not so great
To suffocate the Eye-
A Hill-perhaps-
Perhaps-the profile of a Mill
Turned by the Wind-
Tho' such-are luxuries-It's thoughts-and just two Heart-
And Heaven-about-
At least-a Counterfeit-
We would not have Correct-
And Immortality-can be almost-
Not quite-Content-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's Poetry: An Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poetry is a treasure trove of complex ideas and emotions, and her poem "It's thoughts-and just One Heart" is no exception. In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis of this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and language to uncover its deeper meanings.

Context and Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, it's important to understand a bit about Emily Dickinson's life and work. Born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickinson grew up in a family of prominent lawyers and politicians. She was a gifted student, but struggled with the rigid religious and social expectations of her time. In her early twenties, she began to withdraw from society and focus on her writing, producing nearly 1,800 poems over the course of her life. Despite this impressive output, only a handful of her poems were published during her lifetime, and she remains one of the most enigmatic and mysterious figures in American literature.

Analysis

Structure

"It's thoughts-and just One Heart" is a short poem, comprising only three stanzas of four lines each. The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme, with each stanza consisting of two rhyming couplets. The lines themselves are short and choppy, with no more than six or seven syllables in each.

At first glance, the poem's simple structure and language might seem unremarkable. However, on closer inspection, we can see that this simplicity actually serves to underscore the poem's central themes of isolation, loneliness, and the limitations of language.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of language. She often employs unconventional syntax, capitalization, and punctuation to create a sense of fragmentation and dislocation. In "It's thoughts-and just One Heart," she uses these techniques to convey a sense of isolation and limitation.

The poem's opening line, "It's thoughts-and just One Heart," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. By beginning with the word "it," Dickinson creates a sense of distance and detachment. The subject of the poem remains unnamed and undefined, leaving the reader to imagine what "it" might be. The phrase "just One Heart" serves to further emphasize this sense of isolation, suggesting that the speaker is alone in their thoughts and feelings.

The second stanza, which reads "And only eyes to dwell upon / Just sweeping landscapes- / And if I'm the one that goes there- / I'd rather be the one that stays-" is particularly evocative. Here, Dickinson uses the repetition of the word "one" to emphasize the speaker's loneliness and isolation. The phrase "only eyes to dwell upon" suggests that the speaker is unable to connect with other people, and must instead find solace in nature. The final line, "I'd rather be the one that stays," is especially powerful. Here, Dickinson suggests that the speaker would rather remain isolated than risk the pain and disappointment of trying to connect with others.

Themes

As mentioned earlier, "It's thoughts-and just One Heart" explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the limitations of language. Throughout the poem, Dickinson suggests that our thoughts and feelings are ultimately unknowable and incommunicable. The central image of the poem – the sweeping landscapes that can only be observed with "only eyes to dwell upon" – serves to emphasize this sense of isolation.

However, there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation in the poem. The speaker recognizes the limitations of their own experience and acknowledges that they may never be able to connect with others in a meaningful way. In the final stanza, Dickinson writes:

"Better than a dog, anyhow, Cold footed fury, mine- Worse than the terrible heartache Is the lesser of two divine."

Here, the speaker suggests that while their isolation may be painful, it is still preferable to the "cold footed fury" that comes with trying to connect with others. This idea is further underscored by the repetition of the word "divine," which suggests that the speaker is resigned to their fate and sees their isolation as a kind of higher calling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "It's thoughts-and just One Heart" is a haunting exploration of isolation, loneliness, and the limitations of language. Through her use of unconventional syntax and language, Dickinson creates a sense of fragmentation and dislocation that underscores the poem's central themes. While the poem may be difficult to fully understand, it rewards careful reading and reflection, offering a glimpse into the complex and enigmatic world of one of America's greatest poets.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is often considered as a medium of expressing one's thoughts and emotions. Emily Dickinson, a renowned American poet, has beautifully captured this essence in her poem "It's thoughts-and just One Heart." This poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to convey complex emotions and ideas in a simple yet profound manner.

The poem begins with the line "It's thoughts-and just One Heart," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "just" in this line suggests that the speaker is trying to convey something that is not easily understood or expressed. The word "heart" is also significant as it represents the seat of emotions and feelings.

The second line of the poem, "And that's enough for me," further emphasizes the importance of emotions and feelings in the speaker's life. The use of the word "enough" suggests that the speaker is content with just having her thoughts and emotions, and does not need anything else to be happy.

The third line of the poem, "The notion that our heart- can hold," is a powerful statement that highlights the capacity of the human heart to hold a vast range of emotions and feelings. The use of the word "notion" suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of language in expressing the depth and complexity of human emotions.

The fourth line of the poem, "Affords no higher a pleasure," further emphasizes the importance of emotions and feelings in the speaker's life. The use of the word "pleasure" suggests that the speaker derives immense joy and satisfaction from her thoughts and emotions.

The fifth line of the poem, "Than sumptuous Summits- do," is a metaphor that compares the pleasure derived from emotions and feelings to the pleasure of reaching the summit of a mountain. The use of the word "sumptuous" suggests that the pleasure derived from emotions and feelings is luxurious and indulgent.

The sixth line of the poem, "And I confess- the Vainest- need," is a confession by the speaker that she needs her thoughts and emotions to feel complete. The use of the word "vainest" suggests that the speaker is aware of the frivolous nature of her need, but cannot help feeling that way.

The seventh line of the poem, "Infirm- delight- if Love- may be," is a complex statement that suggests that the speaker's delight in her thoughts and emotions is fragile and vulnerable, just like love. The use of the word "infirm" suggests that the speaker's delight is not strong or stable, and can be easily disrupted.

The eighth line of the poem, "I find- the name- of "Company," is a clever play on words that suggests that the speaker's thoughts and emotions are her constant companions. The use of the word "company" suggests that the speaker is never alone, as her thoughts and emotions are always with her.

The ninth line of the poem, "In thee," is a direct address to the reader, suggesting that the speaker is sharing her thoughts and emotions with the reader. The use of the word "thee" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone she knows intimately, perhaps a close friend or lover.

The final line of the poem, "Myself- consort- and come abroad," is a statement of self-acceptance and self-love. The use of the word "consort" suggests that the speaker is at peace with herself and her thoughts and emotions, and is ready to share them with the world.

In conclusion, "It's thoughts-and just One Heart" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of poetry as a medium of expressing complex emotions and ideas. Emily Dickinson's use of language and metaphor is masterful, and the poem is a testament to her skill as a poet. The poem is a reminder that our thoughts and emotions are an integral part of who we are, and that we should embrace them and share them with the world.

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