Analysis
The Soul selects her own Society -- Then — shuts the Door -- To her divine Majority -- Present no more -- Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing -- At her low Gate -- Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat -- I’ve known her — from an ample nation -- Choose One -- Then — close the Valves of her attention -- Like Stone -- |
In her poem “The Soul selects her own Society”, Dickinson uses symbolism to show that devotion to a select few will lead to self-imposed seclusion. At the beginning of the poem the speaker asserts that, “The Soul selects her own Society - / Then – shuts the Door - / To her divine Majority -” (1-3). The fact that the soul selects who makes up the speaker’s society indicates that an undefinable part of that person dictates the connections that they make to individuals. This signifies the events of choosing one’s inner circle, afterward however, because of the soul’s irrational way of choosing her companions and because the door represents one’s affection, she then proceeds to shut out everyone else from that person’s life. Dickinson continues with the idea of isolation by choice by specifying “Unmoved – an Emperor be kneeling / Upon her mat-” (7-8), that once the soul has selected her companions, she will not waver from her decision. The Emperor symbolizes what could have been, for anyone who comes along wanting to be part of the soul’s society is, no matter how worthy they seem, is cast aside. This is true due to the fact that the soul will always be indifferent. Because of this indifference, no new relationships may be formed, therefore the one who carries such a soul will eventually become cloistered. Through the symbolism used in her poem, Dickinson shows how one's relationships leads to the outcome of isolation.
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Shut castle gate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz4leqvo0tI (Link if video does not load)