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"Faith" is a fine invention
When Gentlemen can see—
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.
This poem is about the importance of being sensible; one cannot merely rely on prayer. Faith is important, but so is cleverness in the management of practical affairs. She is not totally renouncing faith, but understands the value of logic and reason. Herein lies the complexity of this powerful little poem. The tone is sarcastic and playful, which thing is expressed with the word faith being in quotation marks, calling it an "invention." Also, consider what meaning it takes when "microscope" and "faith" are swapped:
Microscopes are a fine invention
When Gentlemen can see—
But "Faith" is prudent
In an Emergency.
When Gentlemen can see—
But "Faith" is prudent
In an Emergency.
It is sensible, this version. With the original poem being opposite this, the sarcasm is detected.
Faith means trust, and therefore it is a type of gamble. "Faith" in this poem is an "invention," but the irony in stanzas 1-2 is that one does not need faith to "see." One can put faith in a slide and view it in a microscope and understand that it has its important place, and so does reason.
In Dickinson's poetry to renounce is to possess more. Therefore, while this poem seems to renounce faith, Dickinson, by right of her own patterns and style, is actually describing how one can actually possess more faith by questioning and scrutinizing the faith in others, in herself as one would examine a specimen through a microscope.
Faith means trust, and therefore it is a type of gamble. "Faith" in this poem is an "invention," but the irony in stanzas 1-2 is that one does not need faith to "see." One can put faith in a slide and view it in a microscope and understand that it has its important place, and so does reason.
In Dickinson's poetry to renounce is to possess more. Therefore, while this poem seems to renounce faith, Dickinson, by right of her own patterns and style, is actually describing how one can actually possess more faith by questioning and scrutinizing the faith in others, in herself as one would examine a specimen through a microscope.
2 comments:
I think she could also be saying that it's easy to exercise faith when you can see or sense what it is you have faith in. But human nature is that when the "proof" in what it is you have faith vanishes, we tend to panic and rely on scientific methods to support our sometimes lofty hopes or aspirations. But then again I've also seen that in emergencies people turn to faith to help them through a tough time and tend to forget the faith when the good times return. I think she would probably say it better than me, though.
knbecca, i don't know where else to write so i'm writing here :)
1) you have such a sweet husband
2) i can't wait to see your painting!
love you
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