I started Early – Took my Dog, Emily Dickinson: Summary, Analysis & Themes
"I started Early – Took my Dog," a poem by Emily Dickinson, is a surreal exploration of the speaker's encounter with the sea, imbued with mystical and personified elements. The poem narrates a morning walk with a dog to the sea, where the speaker experiences an eerie and almost dreamlike interaction with the ocean, depicted as a powerful male entity. Through this encounter, Dickinson delves into themes of nature, power, and the self, with her characteristic blend of simplicity and depth.
Poem: "I started Early – Took my Dog"
I started Early – Took my Dog –
And visited the Sea –
The Mermaids in the Basement
Came out to look at me –
And Frigates – in the Upper Floor
Extended Hempen Hands –
Presuming Me to be a Mouse –
Aground – opon the Sands –
But no Man moved Me – till the Tide
Went past my simple Shoe –
And past my Apron – and my Belt
And past my Boddice – too –
And made as He would eat me up –
As wholly as a Dew
Opon a Dandelion's Sleeve –
And then – I started – too –
And He – He followed – close behind –
I felt His Silver Heel
Opon my Ancle – Then My Shoes
Would overflow with Pearl –
Until We met the Solid Town –
No One He seemed to know –
And bowing – with a Mighty look –
At me – The Sea withdrew –
Summary of "I started Early – Took my Dog"
This poem describes the speaker's surreal and symbolic experience with the sea, which is depicted as a powerful, almost sentient force. The speaker and her dog encounter the sea in a quiet, dreamlike morning scene. As the tide rises, it is personified as a male entity that seems to pursue the speaker, almost engulfing her. However, as the speaker reaches the safety of the town, the sea retreats with a bow, acknowledging her presence but respecting her boundaries. This interaction highlights the interplay between nature’s power and the speaker's own sense of self and autonomy.
Critical Analysis of "I started Early – Took my Dog"
- Personification: The sea is personified as a male figure that follows and nearly overwhelms the speaker. This personification adds a sense of tension and intrigue, as the sea becomes an active participant in the narrative rather than just a setting.
- Symbolism: The sea represents both the unknown and the subconscious, with its vastness symbolizing the speaker's inner thoughts and emotions. The rising tide could be seen as a metaphor for overwhelming emotions or the encroachment of life's challenges.
- Tone: The tone of the poem is both eerie and contemplative. The speaker's calm demeanor contrasts with the underlying tension of the sea's advance, creating a sense of unease and fascination.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery is used to describe the encounter with the sea, from the mermaids in the "Basement" to the "Silver Heel" of the tide. This imagery enhances the mystical and surreal quality of the poem.
Themes in "I started Early – Took my Dog"
- Nature and Power: The poem explores the power of nature, specifically the sea, as an overwhelming force. The speaker's interaction with the sea symbolizes the human struggle to navigate and understand the forces of nature.
- Autonomy and Boundaries: The speaker's ability to retreat to the "Solid Town" where the sea cannot follow represents the establishment of personal boundaries. The sea's withdrawal signifies a respect for the speaker's autonomy and space.
- Exploration of the Self: The poem can also be interpreted as an exploration of the self, with the sea representing the subconscious or deeper emotions that the speaker confronts and ultimately manages to escape from.
Literary Devices in "I started Early – Took my Dog"
- Personification: The sea is given human characteristics, making it an active force in the narrative. This personification adds depth to the poem's exploration of power and boundaries.
- Symbolism: The sea, mermaids, and rising tide are all symbolic elements that represent deeper themes of the unknown, subconscious fears, and the encroachment of overwhelming forces.
- Imagery: Rich imagery is used to create a vivid and surreal atmosphere, enhancing the poem's mystical and eerie tone.
Stylistic Analysis of "I started Early – Took my Dog"
- Form: The poem's form is simple and fluid, with short stanzas that reflect the ease of the speaker's narrative flow. The structure allows for a gradual build-up of tension as the sea becomes more personified and active.
- Language: Dickinson's language is precise and evocative, with words like "Silver Heel" and "overflow with Pearl" adding to the mystical quality of the poem. Her choice of words enhances the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere.
- Structure: The structure of the poem mirrors the rising tide, with the tension building until the speaker reaches the "Solid Town," at which point the sea retreats, providing a resolution to the narrative.