In "There Is a Word" by Emily Dickinson, the poet explores the immense power of language to convey both harm and healing. Through vivid imagery and concise language, the poem delves into the potential of words to wound and inspire, to be used as a weapon or a source of salvation. The poem encapsulates the complex relationship between language, memory, and the impact it has on individuals and society.
There Is a Word
There is a word
Which bears a sword
Can pierce an armed man -
It hurls its barbed syllables
And is mute again -
But where it fell
The Saved will tell
On patriotic day,
Some epauletted Brother
Gave his breath away!
Wherever runs the breathless sun -
Wherever roams the day -
There is its noiseless onset -
There is its victory!
Behold the keenest marksman
The most accomplished host!
Time's sublimest target
Is a soul "forgot"!
Summary
"There Is a Word" by Emily Dickinson contemplates the profound impact of language. The poem illustrates the power of words to wound and pierce, comparing them to a sword. The poem suggests that words, though temporary in their expression, can leave lasting impacts. The poem hints at the sacrifices made for ideals, with a reference to an "epauletted Brother" who gives up his life for his cause. The poem concludes by acknowledging the ability of words to transcend time and memory, shaping history and individuals, even if the impact is eventually forgotten.
Critical Analysis
"There Is a Word" exemplifies Emily Dickinson's ability to convey profound themes through succinct language and imagery. The poem employs metaphor to equate words with a sword, symbolizing the potential of language to wound and inflict harm. This comparison evokes the idea that words, like a weapon, can have powerful and enduring effects on individuals and society.
The line "It hurls its barbed syllables / And is mute again" captures the fleeting nature of language's expression. Words can be powerful and cutting, but their impact may be transient. The contrast between the forceful action of "hurling" words and their subsequent silence underscores the dichotomy of language's momentary power and eventual quietude.
The reference to the "Saved" who will tell where the word fell on a "patriotic day" alludes to the idea that words have the power to inspire action and sacrifice. The mention of an "epauletted Brother" who gave his life suggests that language can influence individuals to make significant sacrifices for their beliefs or ideals.
The poem continues by suggesting that the impact of words transcends time and place. The lines "Wherever runs the breathless sun - / Wherever roams the day -" convey the notion that words hold sway across time and space. The phrase "noiseless onset" and "victory" underline the idea that language can affect change silently, without the need for physical force.
The poem concludes with the lines "Behold the keenest marksman / The most accomplished host! / Time's sublimest target / Is a soul 'forgot'!" These lines emphasize the idea that words are a powerful tool, surpassing even the skill of a marksman or an accomplished host. The final phrase "a soul 'forgot'" suggests that even if the immediate impact of words is forgotten, they can still have a profound influence on the soul's development and history.
Themes
- Power of Language: The central theme of the poem is the immense power of language to wound, inspire, and shape individuals and society. The poem explores how words, like a sword, can have both immediate and lasting effects.
- Sacrifice and Idealism: The poem touches on the theme of sacrifice and idealism by mentioning the "epauletted Brother" who gave his life on a patriotic day. This suggests that words can influence individuals to make significant sacrifices for their beliefs or ideals.
- Time and Memory: The poem examines the enduring impact of words over time and across generations. The reference to the "Saved" who will tell where the word fell and the concept of a soul "forgot" emphasize the idea that words can influence history and individuals, even if the specific details are eventually forgotten.
Attitudes/Feelings
- Respect for Language: The poem conveys a deep respect for the power of language. The imagery of a word that can pierce like a sword implies a sense of awe and reverence for the potential impact of words.
- Admiration for Sacrifice: The mention of the "epauletted Brother" who gives his life suggests a tone of admiration for individuals who are willing to make sacrifices for their beliefs. The poem acknowledges the profound influence of words in motivating such sacrifices.
Language
- Metaphor: The poem uses the metaphor of a word as a sword to convey the concept of language's power to wound and pierce. This metaphor captures the essence of the poem's exploration of language's impact.
- Symbolism: The "epauletted Brother" and the concept of a soul "forgot" symbolize the potential for words to influence individuals and history, even if the immediate impact is forgotten over time.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: The central metaphor of a word as a sword highlights the poem's exploration of language's power. This metaphor underscores the ability of words to wound and inspire, much like a physical weapon.
- Imagery: The poem employs vivid imagery to depict the impact of words and their potential to influence actions and history. The use of vivid language creates a visual representation of language's effects.