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  • Analysis: "I Thought That Nature Was Enough" by Emily Dickinson

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    This poem by Emily Dickinson describes her changing perspective on what was the subject of her poetry. At first she thought nature was enough, but then she became aware of human nature, which absorbed her interest like a flame is absorbed when seen through parallax. She then struggled briefly to encompass both nature and the human in her work, until she realized she needed more capacity to contain the divine as well, which like a giant expanded to take up all the available space.

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    Emily Dickinson poem and analysis

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    1286_IThoughtThatNatureWasEnough

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    This poem by Emily Dickinson describes her changing perspective on what was the subject of her poetry. At first she thought nature was enough, but then she became aware of human nature, which absorbed her interest like a flame is absorbed when seen through parallax. She then struggled briefly to encompass both nature and the human in her work, until she realized she needed more capacity to contain the divine as well, which like a giant expanded to take up all the available space.

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    7 views1 page

    Analysis: "I Thought That Nature Was Enough" by Emily Dickinson

    Uploaded by

    naphelge
    This poem by Emily Dickinson describes her changing perspective on what was the subject of her poetry. At first she thought nature was enough, but then she became aware of human nature, which absorbed her interest like a flame is absorbed when seen through parallax. She then struggled briefly to encompass both nature and the human in her work, until she realized she needed more capacity to contain the divine as well, which like a giant expanded to take up all the available space.

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    "I thought that nature was enough" By Emily Dickinson [Analysis]

    I thought that nature was enough[1] Till Human nature came[2] But that the other did absorb[3] As Parallax a Flame --[4] Of Human nature just aware[5] There added the Divine[6] Brief struggle for capacity[7] The power to contain[8] Is always as the contents[9] But give a Giant room[10] And you will lodge a Giant[11] And not a smaller man[12]
    Poem 1286 [F1269] "I thought that nature was enough" Analysis by David Preest [Poem]

    Emily describes her progressive concerns with nature, then man, and finally with God. At first 'nature' seemed sufficient subject for her poetry until it was absorbed by 'Human nature,' just as a 'Flame' is absorbed by the 'Parallax' of heavenly bodies. And then came the addition of 'the Divine.' There was a brief struggle for elbow room as she could only 'contain' what she had space for, but, as tends to happen, the 'Giant,' that is God, pushed the others out. This is true to the extent that Emily regarded 'immortality' as her 'flood subject.'
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