Introduction

This is one of the most delightful poems by Emily Dickinson. In the poem, the speaker claims that the brain is wider than the sky. She contends that if the brain and the sky are held by side, the brain will absorb the sky ’’with ease-and you-beside. ‘’ she further claims that the brain is deeper than the sea and compares the ability of the brain to that of a sponge absorbing water from the bucket. The poem becomes more attractive in the third stanza where she examines the ability of human brain to the weight of God. The poem has adopted a poetic tone that makes it have different reader response.  The research paper will look at the response from various readers in relation to the poem.

What happens in the reader’s mind while interpreting the text?

As aforementioned, the interpretation of this poem could pose challenges to readers.   The poem is short with only three stanzas of four sentences each. However, the comparison of the human brain to the large sky, the deep sea and the supernatural power of God puts many readers in jeopardy.  In the first stanza, the poet compares the human brain to the vast sky. She even argues that the human brain has the capability of containing the sky and all that comes with it. This claim is in defiance with the ordinary perception since it may prove difficult for the small human brain containing the sky. Emily Dickinson seems to be asserting that imagination or spirit can encompass, or perhaps give, the sky all of its meaning.

The same theme is expounded in the second stanza where she compares the human brain to the large sea. In this stanza, the poet makes use of metaphors by comparing the brain to sponges. The same way a sponge can empty a bucket of water is the same way that the human brain can understand the sea. The use of realism helps the reader interpret the real motive of the poem. The use of buckets and sponges help the reader internalize the reality of this concept.  Stanza three is even more pulsating as many readers may classify it as an overstatement and outdo both the first and second stanza. In this stanza, the poet compares the human brain to the power of God. It supposedly means that human spirit equal status with creative force in the universe. This may have different interpretations since it’s difficult for some readers to understand how the brain can match the weight of God. It is beyond human imagination to understand the comparison between the two concepts. It is imperative to note that the main objective of the poet is to relate the human brain with the outer world.

The complexity of the third stanza is evident when the poet brings the issue of the syllable and sound.  Dickinson argues that the brain differs from the weight of God just like the syllable differs from the sound. This makes it hard for the reader to digest the underlying concept. To make the matter worse, the poet assets that weigh them pound for pound, Gods weight is equal to the weight of the brain. However, when he says they differ from syllable and sound, the confusion increases. It becomes difficult to conclude what among the two has more weight.

Dickinson’s poetry is at times ambiguous due to its explorative nature.  The choice of topic in this poetry makes it interesting and ambiguous at the same time.   The poet makes use of different poetic devices that at times makes it difficult for the readers to understand. For instance in the poem “The Brain – is wider than the Sky”, the poet has constantly used dashes. These dashes create unclear meaning to the poet and also complicate things for the reader as well.  As one moves from stanza to stanza, the uncertainty increases thus making the interpretation of this poem more difficult. The dashes used in comparison of brain and the outer world make the comparison invalid. These dashes mean hesitation from the speaker’s point of view thus making it difficult to ascertain her claims. The confidence of the language contradicts with the tone created by the use of dashes in this poem.  Such ambiguity will consequently lead to different interpretations from different people.

How different individuals see the text differently

The poem ‘’ The Brain — is wider than the Sky’’ by Emily Dickinson is viewed differently by different people depending on their understanding of the text.  For instance, there are those individuals who understand the deeper meaning of this text. They know that the author intends to bring about the endless possibilities that come along with the brain. From this point of view, the brain is not just a body organ, but it has unlimited possibilities as long as an individual can expand knowledge and believe. In essence, some individuals view this text as an eye-opener that helps them venture into the world of no limits. The poem means that nothing is impossible when the brain is used correctly.

There also those individuals who will understand the text to mean that the brain has unlimited capabilities to learn. Some people think that there are boundaries beyond which the human brain can explore. However, this is not the case, and the human brain has the capability of absorbing more and more knowledge. Use of metaphor of the sponge and water in the bucket makes such individuals understand the text in this context. Such individuals will have to keep learning from what nature provides unto them. Just as the sponge absorbs all the water in the surrounding, the human brain has the capability of learning from the vicinity.

There is also another group of individuals who understand this text to mean the power of the brain. From the third stanza, the poet asserts that the brain has weight comparable to God.  With this in mind, some individual see this as a challenge to their potential. If one uses the brain to the fullest, one can be as great and recognized worldwide just like God. He is powerful throughout the world. To this group of individuals, the brain can help one gain power and become great. To them, the brain is an instrument of knowledge and can propel an individual to greater heights.

 How do religious, cultural, and social values affect the reading of the text?

Religious, cultural and social values would have a significant impact on reading a poetry work.  The theme of spirituality is apparent in this poem, and consequently, religious values will also have a substantial effect on reading of the text. This poem may not augur well with people of Christian faith. For instance, comparison of the God’s weight to the weight of the brain will be against the Christian beliefs. Christians believe that God, is most powerful in the universe, and he also created the brain. The poet asserts that the brain can be able to see and interpret the surroundings. This may be against the Christian faith who believes that brain can only see things happening but only God, who knows the reason for the happenings. In essence, the comparison of the brain to God will have the most notable effect on reading this poem by Dickinson.

Assumptions about men and women

This poem by Emily Dickinson intends to give insights into the unlimited capabilities of the brain. Although the poem may differ in interpretation across different people along religion, cultural and social lines, the poem may not be subject to gender disparities. The poem explores the unlimited nature of human brain that is prevalent among men and women. It is imperative to note that the power of imagination and the work of brain for both males and females. In essence, there is no brain for men and that of women and hence there no different assumptions to men and women while reading this poem.

Works cited

Dickinson, Emily. The Complete Poems Of Emily Dickinson. Lanham, Md: Start Publishing, 2012. Print.

Edelman, Gerald M. Wider Than The Sky. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005. Print.

Evans, Meagan. ““Itself Is All The Like†: Selfsameness In The Poetry Of Emily Dickinson”. The Emily Dickinson Journal 20.2 (2011): 83-105. Web.

Freedman, Linda. “Emily Dickinson’S Rich Conversation: Poetry, Philosophy, Science By Richard E Brantley”. The Emily Dickinson Journal 24.1 (2015): 107-109. Web.

Hunt, Patrick. Poetry In The Song Of Songs. New York: Peter Lang, 2008. Print.

Martin, Wendy. The Cambridge Introduction To Emily Dickinson. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print.

Mitchell, Domhnall, and Maria Stuart. The International Reception Of Emily Dickinson. London: Continuum, 2009. Print.

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