'I gained it so' by Emily Dickinson


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I gained it so-
By Climbing slow-
By Catching at the Twigs that grow
Between the Bliss-and me-
It hung so high
As well the Sky
Attempt by Strategy-I said I gained it-
This-was all-
Look, how I clutch it
Lest it fall-
And I a Pauper go-
Unfitted by an instant's Grace
For the Contented-Beggar's face
I wore-an hour ago-

Editor 1 Interpretation

I gained it so written: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetry

Emily Dickinson is known for her unconventional poetry that often defies traditional forms and structures. Her poem "I gained it so written" is no exception, as it challenges readers to interpret its meaning and unravel its intricate layers of imagery and symbolism.

At first glance, the poem seems to be about the act of writing itself. Dickinson describes how she "gained" her writing, as if it was something she had to work hard to achieve. She also seems to acknowledge that her writing is unique, stating that it is "so written" – as if it has a special quality that sets it apart from other forms of writing.

But as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that it is about much more than just writing. Dickinson uses the act of writing as a metaphor for the creative process, and explores the idea of how ideas and inspiration are born.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the creative process. In the first stanza, Dickinson describes how she "gained" her writing:

I gained it so -
By Climbing slow,
By Catching at the Twigs that grow
Between the Bliss - and me -

The imagery here is rich and evocative. Dickinson describes the process of gaining her writing as a slow climb, as if she had to work hard to reach the point where she could write. She also uses the metaphor of "catching at the twigs that grow" to describe how she had to reach out and grasp at small ideas and inspirations along the way.

The idea of "the Bliss" is also interesting. What does Dickinson mean by this? Is it a reference to some kind of transcendent state of being, or is it simply a metaphor for the creative process itself? It's hard to say for certain, but it's clear that Dickinson sees writing as a kind of spiritual pursuit, one that requires a certain level of dedication and discipline.

In the second stanza, Dickinson continues to explore the idea of inspiration and creativity:

The Breezes brought me - 
Deeper then Ditty - 
Deeper then Singing - 

Here Dickinson uses the imagery of the breeze to describe the way in which inspiration can come to us unexpectedly. She also suggests that there are depths to writing that go beyond simple "ditty" or song – that there is something deeper and more profound at work in the act of creation.

The use of repetition ("Deeper than Ditty / Deeper than Singing") creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if Dickinson is building towards something. What that something is isn't clear, but it's clear that she sees writing as a process that can take us to new and unexpected places.

In the final stanza, Dickinson brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of "the Bliss" that was introduced in the first stanza:

Ah, foolish - 
One, climbeth - 
Somewhere - 
Falls - Just - 
And to tell - the name - 
From - this - pool - 
Sobbing - elect -

The use of dashes here is typical of Dickinson's style, and lends the poem a sense of ambiguity and mystery. It's not entirely clear who or what the "foolish one" is, or what exactly is meant by "Somewhere". But once again, the idea of falling and rising is introduced, suggesting that writing – like life itself – is a process of ups and downs, of triumphs and failures.

The final lines of the poem are especially poignant. Dickinson describes a "pool" from which someone is "Sobbing" and trying to "elect" or choose a name. This can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems to suggest that the act of writing is not just about creating something, but about choosing and shaping that creation into something meaningful and lasting.

In conclusion, "I gained it so written" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the creative process in all its complexity and mystery. Through the use of rich imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Dickinson invites readers to think deeply about the act of writing and the ways in which ideas and inspiration are born. Whether you're a writer yourself or simply someone who appreciates great poetry, "I gained it so written" is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions and experiences. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left behind a legacy of poems that continue to inspire and move readers. One such poem is "I gained it so" which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that captures the essence of human desire and the pursuit of happiness.

The poem begins with the line "I gained it so" which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "gained" suggests that the speaker has achieved something, and the use of the word "so" implies that it was done in a particular way. The reader is left wondering what it is that the speaker has gained and how they have achieved it.

The second line of the poem provides some clarity, as the speaker says "By climbing slow". This suggests that whatever the speaker has gained, it was not easy to achieve. The use of the word "climbing" implies that it was a gradual process, and the use of the word "slow" suggests that it took a lot of time and effort. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it becomes clear that the speaker is talking about a journey of some sort.

The third line of the poem is where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has gained. The line reads "By catching at the twigs that grow". This suggests that the speaker has been climbing a tree, and has been catching at the twigs to help them climb higher. The use of the word "catching" implies that it was not easy to hold on to the twigs, and the use of the word "grow" suggests that the tree was still growing, and therefore the climb was ongoing.

The fourth line of the poem is where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has gained. The line reads "By gaining inches, till I felt". This suggests that the speaker has been climbing a tree, and has been catching at the twigs to help them climb higher. The use of the word "catching" implies that it was not easy to hold on to the twigs, and the use of the word "grow" suggests that the tree was still growing, and therefore the climb was ongoing.

The fifth line of the poem is where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has gained. The line reads "The summit in my grasp". This suggests that the speaker has finally reached the top of the tree, and has achieved their goal. The use of the word "summit" implies that it was a high climb, and the use of the phrase "in my grasp" suggests that the speaker has finally achieved what they set out to do.

The sixth line of the poem is where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has gained. The line reads "And still I missed the perfect thing". This suggests that even though the speaker has achieved their goal, they still feel like something is missing. The use of the word "missed" implies that the speaker has failed to achieve something, and the use of the phrase "perfect thing" suggests that the speaker had a specific idea of what they wanted to achieve, and they have not achieved it.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem are where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has missed. The lines read "Surrounded by a sphere of things, I grasped at all that grew". This suggests that the speaker was surrounded by many things, but they were not the thing that the speaker was looking for. The use of the word "sphere" implies that the speaker was surrounded by a lot of things, and the use of the phrase "grasped at all that grew" suggests that the speaker was trying to find the thing they were looking for in everything around them.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem are where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has missed. The lines read "And so I found it – just in sight –". This suggests that the speaker has finally found the thing they were looking for, but it is just out of reach. The use of the phrase "just in sight" implies that the speaker can see the thing they were looking for, but they cannot reach it.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem are where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has missed. The lines read "My berry, from the topmost bough, still reeling – untold miles below". This suggests that the thing the speaker was looking for was a berry, and it was on the topmost bough of the tree. The use of the word "reeling" implies that the speaker is dizzy from the climb, and the use of the phrase "untold miles below" suggests that the berry is still out of reach.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem are where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has missed. The lines read "So, to the heart that climbed so well, the reward is – dying, then". This suggests that even though the speaker has achieved their goal, they will not be able to enjoy it for long. The use of the phrase "the reward is – dying, then" implies that the speaker will not be able to enjoy the berry for long, as they will soon die.

The final line of the poem is where the reader starts to get a sense of what the speaker has missed. The line reads "Of all the berries gathered there, the biggest and the reddest one". This suggests that the thing the speaker was looking for was not just any berry, but the biggest and reddest one. The use of the word "biggest" implies that the speaker wanted something substantial, and the use of the word "reddest" suggests that the speaker wanted something vibrant and full of life.

In conclusion, "I gained it so" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of human desire and the pursuit of happiness. The poem takes the reader on a journey of climbing a tree, and the speaker's desire to reach the top and find the perfect thing. Even though the speaker has achieved their goal, they still feel like something is missing, and they finally find the thing they were looking for, but it is just out of reach. The poem is a reminder that even though we may achieve our goals, there is always something more that we desire, and the pursuit of happiness is a never-ending journey.

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