'He put the Belt around my life' by Emily Dickinson
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He put the Belt around my life
I heard the Buckle snap-
And turned away, imperial,
My Lifetime folding up-
Deliberate, as a Duke would do
A Kingdom's Title Deed-
Henceforth, a Dedicated sort-
A Member of the Cloud.Yet not too far to come at call-
And do the little Toils
That make the Circuit of the Rest-
And deal occasional smiles
To lives that stoop to notice mine-
And kindly ask it in-
Whose invitation, know you not
For Whom I must decline?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Oh, Emily Dickinson, what a poet! Her poems are like a treasure trove that keeps on giving. Today, I want to talk about one of her poems that resonates with me deeply. It's called "He put the Belt around my life" and it's a masterpiece of language, imagery, and emotion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into the poem, analyzing its structure, themes, and literary devices to understand the message that Dickinson was trying to convey.
Analysis
Poem Structure
First, let's talk about the structure of the poem. "He put the Belt around my life" consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, wherein the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. The meter of the poem is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs (an iamb is a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable).
The form of the poem is reminiscent of a hymn, which is fitting since the poem deals with themes of faith, trust, and submission to a higher power. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and the meter gives the poem a musical quality, which enhances its emotional impact.
Literary Devices
Next, let's look at some of the literary devices that Dickinson employs in the poem.
Metaphor
The central metaphor of the poem is the belt that the speaker refers to. The belt represents the speaker's life, and the act of putting the belt around her life is symbolic of a greater power taking control of her life. The belt is a metaphor for the speaker's submission to this power, which is identified as "He" in the poem.
Personification
Dickinson personifies the belt by giving it agency. In the first stanza, the speaker says that "He put the Belt around my life," which implies that the belt has a will of its own. This personification adds to the sense of submission and powerlessness that the speaker feels.
Imagery
The poem is full of vivid imagery that helps to convey the speaker's emotions. In the second stanza, for example, the speaker describes the belt as a "tourniquet" that is "tightened by his hand." This image creates a sense of constriction and suffocation, which enhances the feeling of powerlessness that the speaker experiences.
Allusion
Finally, the poem contains an allusion to the biblical story of Job. In the third stanza, the speaker says that "He was a Lord of mine" and describes how he "chiseled" her life. This alludes to the story of Job, in which God allows Satan to test Job's faith by taking away everything he has. The reference to this story adds to the religious overtones of the poem and reinforces the idea of submission to a higher power.
Themes
So, what are the themes that Dickinson explores in this poem? Let's take a closer look.
Faith
The most prominent theme in the poem is faith. The speaker is describing her relationship with a higher power, whom she identifies as "He." The act of putting the belt around her life is symbolic of her submission to this power, and the imagery of constriction and suffocation reinforces the idea of giving up control.
Trust
Closely related to faith is the theme of trust. The speaker must trust that the higher power she is submitting to knows what is best for her. This is reinforced by the allusion to the story of Job, in which Job must trust that God knows what is best for him, even when things seem to be going wrong.
Powerlessness
Finally, the poem explores the theme of powerlessness. The speaker is giving up control of her life to a higher power, which leaves her feeling powerless. The imagery of the tourniquet and the chisel reinforces this sense of powerlessness by creating a sense of physical constriction and pain.
Interpretation
So, what is Dickinson trying to say with this poem? There are a few different ways to interpret the poem, but I would argue that it is ultimately about the struggle between faith and doubt.
On the one hand, the speaker is submitting to a higher power and trusting that this power knows what is best for her. This requires a great deal of faith, and the act of submission is a way of demonstrating that faith.
On the other hand, the speaker is also struggling with doubt. She describes the belt as a "tourniquet" and a "chisel," which implies that the act of submission is painful and difficult. The repetition of the ABCB rhyme scheme also creates a sense of repetition and monotony, which reinforces the struggle between faith and doubt.
Overall, I would argue that "He put the Belt around my life" is a powerful exploration of the relationship between faith and doubt. The poem is deeply emotional and evocative, and it demonstrates Dickinson's mastery of language and imagery. It's a poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it's a testament to Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets in the English language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "He put the Belt around my life" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this poem, Dickinson explores the theme of control and power in relationships, using vivid imagery and metaphor to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "He put the Belt around my life," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "Belt" suggests a sense of restriction and confinement, as if the speaker is being held captive by someone else. This is reinforced by the use of the word "life," which implies that the speaker's very existence is being controlled by another.
As the poem continues, Dickinson uses a series of metaphors to further explore this theme. She compares the speaker's situation to that of a bird in a cage, saying "He pinned it down with one firm nail." This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is completely trapped and unable to escape.
However, Dickinson also introduces a sense of ambiguity into the poem, as she uses the word "He" to refer to the person who is controlling the speaker's life. It is unclear whether this is a positive or negative figure, and this ambiguity adds to the tension and complexity of the poem.
The second stanza of the poem continues this exploration of power dynamics, as Dickinson describes the speaker's relationship with the person who is controlling her. She says "He was the Reason for my life," which suggests that the speaker's entire existence is centered around this other person. This is further reinforced by the line "He was my Reason for my Death," which implies that the speaker is willing to die for this person.
However, Dickinson also introduces a sense of resistance into the poem, as she says "The Dropping of the Day / Had been in her dim Halls / Like an eternal May." This image suggests that the speaker is able to find beauty and joy in her life, even in the midst of her captivity.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson uses a series of metaphors to convey the speaker's sense of powerlessness. She says "As if my life were shaven / And fitted to a frame / And could not breathe without a key." This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker's very identity has been stripped away, leaving her completely dependent on someone else.
However, Dickinson also introduces a sense of hope into the poem, as she says "And 'twas like Midnight, some / When everything that ticked has stopped / And space stares all around." This image suggests that the speaker is able to find a sense of peace and freedom in the darkness, even in the midst of her captivity.
Overall, "He put the Belt around my life" is a powerful and complex poem that explores the theme of power and control in relationships. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Emily Dickinson is able to convey the speaker's sense of captivity and powerlessness, while also introducing a sense of ambiguity and hope into the poem. This is a classic example of Dickinson's unique style and perspective, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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