'It was given to me by the Gods' by Emily Dickinson
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It was given to me by the Gods-
When I was a little Girl-
They given us Presents most-you know-
When we are new-and small.
I kept it in my Hand-
I never put it down-
I did not dare to eat-or sleep-
For fear it would be gone-
I heard such words as "Rich"-
When hurrying to school-
From lips at Corners of the Streets-
And wrestled with a smile.
Rich! 'Twas Myself-was rich-
To take the name of Gold-
And Gold to own-in solid Bars-
The Difference-made me bold-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"It was given to me by the Gods" by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever come across a piece of poetry that felt like it was crafted by the gods themselves? That's what I felt when I first read Emily Dickinson's "It was given to me by the Gods." This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style and her ability to pack intense emotions into just a few words.
Context
Before diving deeper into the poem, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830 and was known for her reclusive lifestyle. She wrote over 1,800 poems, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death in 1886 that her sister discovered her extensive collection of poems and arranged for them to be published.
"It was given to me by the Gods" was most likely written in the early 1860s, during a period when Dickinson was experiencing a crisis of faith. She struggled with the concept of God and the afterlife and often expressed her doubts and fears through her poetry.
Structure
The poem is made up of just two stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. The simplicity of the structure is deceptive, as it belies the complexity of the emotions conveyed.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the line, "It was given to me by the Gods." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately draws the reader in. The use of the word "gods" suggests a religious context and foreshadows the existential themes that are explored throughout the poem.
The second line, "When I was a little Girl-" takes us back to a time in the speaker's life when she was innocent and unburdened by the weight of the world. This could be seen as a metaphor for the speaker's faith, which was strong and unshakeable in her youth.
The third line, "They given us Presents most-" introduces the idea that the gods have bestowed gifts upon humanity. This could be interpreted as a reference to the concept of divine grace, which is often seen as an unearned gift from God.
The final line of the first stanza, "When I was a little Girl," is repeated from the second line. This repetition creates a sense of circularity and reinforces the idea that the speaker is reflecting on her past.
The second stanza begins with the line, "I still have mine-" which suggests that the speaker has held onto the gift that was given to her by the gods. This could be interpreted as a reference to her faith, which she has managed to hold onto despite her doubts and fears.
The third line, "A small forgotten Child," creates a contrast between the speaker's current state and her past innocence. This line could be interpreted as a reference to the speaker's loss of faith or her sense of disillusionment with the world.
The final line of the poem, "And what is sent me for my Trust," brings the poem full circle and reinforces the idea that the gift that was given to the speaker is something that she believes she has been entrusted with. This final line could be interpreted as a reference to the speaker's faith, which she sees as a responsibility that she must hold onto and protect.
Themes
The themes explored in "It was given to me by the Gods" are wide-ranging and complex. The most obvious theme is the struggle with faith and the idea of divine grace. The speaker's doubts and fears are palpable throughout the poem, but she also expresses a sense of responsibility and duty towards the gift that she has been given.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the contrast between innocence and experience. The speaker looks back on her childhood with a sense of nostalgia and longing, but also acknowledges that her current state is one of loss and disillusionment.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of circularity and the cyclical nature of life. The repetition of the line, "When I was a little Girl," reinforces the idea that the speaker is reflecting on her past, but also suggests that she is trapped in a cycle that she cannot escape from.
Conclusion
"It was given to me by the Gods" is a powerful poem that explores complex themes with a deceptively simple structure. Emily Dickinson's unique style and ability to pack intense emotions into just a few words is on full display here. This poem is a testament to her talent as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire thoughts, and ignite the imagination. Among the many great poets of all time, Emily Dickinson stands out as a unique voice that speaks to the heart of the human experience. Her poem "It was given to me by the Gods" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its divine origin.
The poem begins with a simple statement, "It was given to me by the Gods." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that poetry is not a human invention but a gift from the divine. Dickinson's use of the word "given" implies that poetry is not something that can be acquired or learned, but rather something that is bestowed upon the poet by a higher power. This idea is further reinforced in the next line, "When I was a little Girl," which suggests that the poet's gift of poetry was present from a very young age.
The second stanza of the poem describes the nature of poetry and its power to transcend time and space. Dickinson writes, "It was given to me in a moment of time, / A flash of the lightning's gleam." This metaphorical description of poetry as a lightning flash suggests that poetry is a sudden and powerful burst of inspiration that illuminates the darkness of the human experience. The lightning flash is also a symbol of the divine, as it is often associated with the power and majesty of God. Dickinson's use of this metaphor suggests that poetry is a divine gift that has the power to reveal the hidden truths of the universe.
The third stanza of the poem describes the poet's relationship with her gift of poetry. Dickinson writes, "It sings in my heart like a bird on a tree, / And whispers its secrets to me." This metaphorical description of poetry as a singing bird suggests that poetry is a natural and effortless expression of the poet's innermost thoughts and feelings. The bird on the tree is also a symbol of freedom and independence, suggesting that poetry is a means of escape from the constraints of the human experience. The fact that poetry "whispers its secrets" to the poet suggests that poetry is a form of communication between the divine and the human, and that the poet is a conduit for this communication.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the power of poetry to transform the human experience. Dickinson writes, "It tells of the beauty that lies within, / And the wonders that are yet to be." This metaphorical description of poetry as a revealer of beauty and wonder suggests that poetry has the power to awaken the human spirit to the beauty and wonder of the world. The fact that poetry "tells" of this beauty and wonder suggests that poetry is a form of storytelling, and that the poet is a storyteller who reveals the hidden truths of the universe.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the poet's gratitude for her gift of poetry. Dickinson writes, "Oh, how I thank the Gods above, / For this gift they have given to me." This expression of gratitude suggests that the poet recognizes the divine origin of her gift of poetry, and that she is humbled by the privilege of being a conduit for the divine. The fact that the poet thanks the "Gods above" suggests that poetry is a form of worship, and that the poet is a worshipper who praises the divine through her art.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "It was given to me by the Gods" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its divine origin. Through her use of metaphor and symbolism, Dickinson suggests that poetry is a gift from the divine that has the power to reveal the hidden truths of the universe, transform the human experience, and awaken the human spirit to the beauty and wonder of the world. The fact that the poet expresses gratitude for her gift of poetry suggests that poetry is a form of worship, and that the poet is a worshipper who praises the divine through her art. Dickinson's poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to connect the human and the divine.
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