An Analysis of Emily Dickinsons Poem #315 :: Emily Dickinson Poem 315 Essays

An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem #315 I believe that this poem can be interpreted in many different ways. Who is to say that there can only be one explanation or meaning to Dickinson's #315? Since being introduced to this poem, I have heard many different interpretations either from others in my group or from reading about it in web sites or books. In this close reading, I will concentrate on the very first word of this text: He. I will explain who I think this person is and how "He" is responsible for the actions in this poem. In my view, I think the one doing the action in this poem or, "He," is some form of deity. Whether it is God or just a god is beyond my comprehension. I think the only one who knows that answer is Emily Dickinson herself. At first thought, however, I envisioned a supreme Zeus-like god playing the song that is our lives like a musical instrument. We travel through life's trials and tribulations, provided by this being, and we ultimately die at the hand of him. The first line not only introduces this character but explains that his hands are guiding our souls. The mental image I received from the word "fumbles" (line 1) is a simple one. I thought of someone throwing bits of mozzarella cheese on top of a pizza getting ready to be cooked! This can be symbolic of our supreme being throwing at us the events of our lives as it fumbles through his hands with no concern or compassion as to where it falls. The next line verifies this image. "As Players at the Keys" (line 2) is symbolic of a pianist playing the song that is our life. However, the plural usage of "player" might suggest more than one god is in control of our existence. Like a song with its peaks and valleys (representing our life) the pianist's ("He," or, the gods) fingers strike at the "keys" with varying tempo's and force. This also ties in to lines three and four. "Before they drop the full music on - He stuns you by degrees-" At this point I feel Dickinson is trying to tell us that those who are in control of our soul are not in our favor.