[Loango] 1

Yeltsin Loango

Professor Batty

English 102

September 27, 2017

Final Destination

Writing itself has allowed people to express themselves freely without having to be afraid

of what others may think. Literature is a type of writing that has allowed people to express

themselves to the time period they are living in. This type of writing is usually in the form of

novels, biographies, and poems. Emily Dickinson grew up writing letters to her family, soon she

finds a passion for poetry and writes "Wild nights - Wild nights" in the year 1861. The poem

consists of 12 lines, broken into 3 stanzas with the rhyme scheme of ABBB,CDEF,GHIH.

Although many people may view the poem in a sexual manner, I believe that Dickinson has

found the one person she wants to spend the rest of her life with. I interpret it this way based on

diction, symbolism, and imagery used in the poem.

When reading the poem, its meant to be a quick fast read. Instead of being a slow

reading, reason behind this is because its meant to give a happy feeling not a freighting one. This

poem can be interpreted and said that there are three different scenes. The first one being a wild

night, the second at a port, third being garden of Eden. This is important because in each scene

she uses diction that connects with it. For example, she goes from an exciting teenager out at

night in the first scene, to a more type of sailor tone, and finally a peaceful person. Dickinson

writes "Wild nights should be Our luxury,"(line 3-4). Choosing luxury may be the perfect word

for this context. As a young person there is this desire in many to go out and have wild nights. In

today's times this is seen more than ever. I find it interesting how she says "should be," because
 [Loango] 2

of the simple fact that not everyone has the freedom to go out and have these wild nights. So, I

find it unique that it can connect to today's times very close. That being said, one can be judged

quickly and maybe because of this line many people believe that Dickinson's overall theme were

sexual desires. Although a formalist would probably say that basing all opinions just with the

text, looking back historically to her times it explains how she was born and raised into

Christianity which opened my mind more into a deeper meaning of the poem. (Brand, Gerhard)

Is this why she mentions the garden of Eden further in her poem? I believe so because not only

can she relate to it, but many others as well that aren't from that religion can understand. Since its

something that mostly everyone can understand she does a great job to describe her poem in a

way many readers can follow along and understand.

Throughout the years authors have come to use objects to represent a certain idea. This is

known as symbolism. Dickinson uses symbolism in the 2nd stanza to show her search for her

love has come to end. In this stanza she writes "Futile the winds

To a heart in port" (line 5-6). The first part says "futile the winds," which is basically saying the

winds are pointless and unnecessary. The second part says "to a heart in port," representing the

idea that her heart has come to a finale. The idea these two lines are making is that the winds that

blow for sailing are pointless, therefore there's no need to sail anymore. As well as the port

representing the area you put a boat after sailing, for this reason she's saying her heart has come

to an end. She emphasizes that point once again in the following lines "Done with the compass

Done with the chart"(line 7-8). Both words, compass and chart, are symbols that usually

represent items of navigation. Dickinson uses the word "done", before both these to represent

there is no more need to navigate. In this case navigate can mean the way she's navigating

through her own life. This is where many formalists may think that the chains are broken and
 [Loango] 3

she's ready to do what she freely desires. Although many may think that and it makes sense, I

still believe she's just navigating looking for someone to make her feel a certain type of way.

Throughout this stanza there is a sailor theme to convey her points.

Out of the five senses, sight is one of the most utilized when reading a poem. The reason

behind this is because many authors purposely use certain words to make you picture in your

head what you are reading. The 3rd stanza of the poem uses imagery to make us imagine what

she's experiencing. For example, Dickinson writes "Rowing in Eden" (line 9) to illustrate a

peaceful place of some kind. When first reading this line, the first thing that pops up to anyone is

the Garden of Eden. Which can be compared to a paradise; a beautiful, joyful, away from all

troubles place. Dickinson doesnt stop there with imagery, she writes "Might I moor Tonight

In thee!"(line11-12). In this line the word moor, means to secure oneself or anchored. Another

person is presented in this part where she says "thee", these lines come together to have the

single meaning that she has secured herself in the arms of another and not moving from it. When

youre anchored to something nothing's going to detach you from that thing. It paints the perfect

picture of an anchor being sent down so the boat is stable, in this case her and her loved one.

The first time reading this poem I believed it had a sexual theme. After re-reading it and

having time to think about it I came to the decision that the theme was that she had found her one

true love. Dickinson made this message understandable with the imagery, symbolism, and

diction used throughout the poem. There may never be just one interpretation of a poem. Poets

do this purposely to get different peoples perspectives on it and how they view it. The way you

view a poem today, may be different from the way you view it tomorrow.
 [Loango] 4

Work Cited

Brand, Gerhard. "Emily Dickinson." Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, January.

EBSCOhost,
library.lavc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&A
N=88807014&site=eds-live.
The World's Most Trusted Dictionary Provider. Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford Dictionaries,
www.oxforddictionaries.com/.