"IN LANDS I NEVER SAW — THEY SAY" by Emily Dickinson reflects the speaker's contemplation of far-off places and the notion of immortality. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, the poem presents the idea of the "Immortal Alps" that overlook distant lands. The poem engages with themes of nature's grandeur, eternity, and the human desire to understand one's place in the universe.
IN LANDS I NEVER SAW — THEY SAY
In lands I never saw — they say
Immortal Alps look down —
Whose Bonnets touch the firmament —
Whose Sandals touch the town —
Meek at whose everlasting feet
A Myriad Daisy play —
Which, Sir, are you and which am I
Upon an August day?
Summary
"IN LANDS I NEVER SAW — THEY SAY" explores the idea of distant and immortal lands, symbolized by the "Immortal Alps," which are said to look down on the world. The poem presents the image of the Alps as towering figures that touch both the sky and the town below. The speaker contemplates their own identity and existence in comparison to these grand and eternal landscapes. The poem raises questions about the relationship between human beings and the natural world, as well as the significance of individual lives in the context of larger forces.
Critical Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker describing the "Immortal Alps" that they have never seen but have heard about. The phrase "they say" suggests that the speaker is recounting stories or descriptions of these distant and eternal mountains. The idea of the "Immortal Alps" looking down implies a sense of watchfulness and grandeur.
The metaphor of the Alps' "Bonnet" touching the firmament and their "Sandals" touching the town below suggests their connection to both the heavens and the earthly realm. This imagery creates a visual contrast between the majestic peaks and the ordinary town.
Emily Dickinson
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The speaker describes the "Meek" daisies that play at the feet of the Alps. This imagery evokes a sense of humility and smallness in the presence of nature's grandeur. The word "everlasting" further emphasizes the Alps' eternal nature.
The final two lines pose a question to an unspecified "Sir," possibly addressing a listener or reader. The speaker asks whether the "Sir" is one of the Alps or one of the daisies, and questions their respective identities and roles in the world.
Themes
- Nature's Grandeur and Eternity: The poem engages with the theme of nature's grandeur through the description of the "Immortal Alps" and their towering presence. The idea of the Alps as immortal and everlasting landscapes reflects a sense of eternity.
- Human Identity and Significance: The poem contemplates human identity and existence in relation to the grandeur of nature. The speaker's question about their identity suggests a search for meaning and understanding within the context of a vast and eternal universe.
- Wonders of the Unknown: The speaker's contemplation of lands they have never seen reflects the human fascination with the unknown and the mysterious. The idea of distant, immortal places evokes a sense of wonder and awe.
Attitudes/Feelings
- Contemplation: The poem conveys a contemplative tone as the speaker reflects on the descriptions of the "Immortal Alps" and their significance in the world.
- Curiosity and Wonder: The speaker's contemplation of these distant and immortal landscapes reflects their sense of curiosity and wonder about the world beyond their own experiences.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: The poem employs metaphors to compare the "Immortal Alps" to human attributes, such as their "Bonnet" touching the firmament and "Sandals" touching the town.
- Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the grandeur of the "Immortal Alps" and the imagery of the daisies playing at their feet.
Discussion Question
How does the concept of the "Immortal Alps" serve as a metaphor for the themes of nature's grandeur, eternity, and the relationship between human beings and the natural world in the poem?