Emily Dickinson poetry J.365 response paper

"Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?"

The famed recluse, Emily Dickinson is a supernova in America’s poetic space. Her unusual, unlimited rhythms and her freedom of voice defy traditional concepts. She was in essence blooming out of darkness and becoming white light.

In J.365, Dickinson’s poem asks, “Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?” Her life and work was at the refining forge of purification. Life itself was and is a forge for “Refining these impatient Ores.” This is in tune with the concept of personal growth, and the goal of perpetually improving one’s self. However, Emily Dickinson’s secluded lifestyle suggests she felt these activities to be internal exercises. Looking within, rather than without, she preceded to mold herself into white light. That is, to move towards perfection.

While this seems like a fairly religious occupation, Dickinson did not consider herself as such. She refers to the ore that emits this light as it comes out of the forge as, “Of unannointed Blaze.” She makes other remarks to this effect in her correspondence. In a letter to T.W. Higginson dated, 25 April 1862, she wrote: “They are religious- except me.” This is in reference to her family. In the same letter she also asks about personal growth and inquires, “Could you tell me how to grow- or is it unconveyed- like Melody- or Witchcraft?” While this may have been a simple compliment it is clear that for Emily Dickinson, personal growth is disconnected from religion.

In life, those who would follow Dickenson must look for opportunities for refinement. “Least village has it’s Blacksmith”. There is no shortage of prospects for development. The casual glance might suggest that all too often people are overlooking this truth, “Red- is the Fire’s common tint-.” One might assert that not all ore is redeemed at once. There are, and will continue to be, those who do seek growth. They are the few who choose to become like white light. They must endure the furnace, “Until the Designated Light/ Repudiate the Forge-”. Then, like Emily Dickinson and the supernova, they become white light.

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