Emancipation by Emily Dickinson
The author tries to establish the relationship between the body and the soul. She explains the existence of a self-outside, the soul that portrays fear towards the presence of a soul. Further, the author describes the body as the physical dwelling place for the soul. The author further explains the body and the soul are two separate entities whereby the body serves to protect the soul. Further, the author argues that torture against the body will not affect the soul since the soul is independent. The author compares freedom with the setting free of the body. She examines injury and death as a way of eliminating slavery, whereby slaves exchange their bodies to achieve freedom.
Question 2
The author suggests that slavery begins in the individual mind. If the mind is strong enough and has the courage and confidence to fight for freedom, then the actual fight for liberty becomes simpler. Further, it is clear from the stanzas that an individual’s ability to reason and possess the urge to gain independence is compelling and inspiring. The author describes individual conscience as the enemy of soul liberty. She describes the soul as timid since it hides inside the body. The soul hiding inside the body indicates that it is probably afraid of something that might damage it.
Question 3
The title “Emancipation” perfectly fits this poem. Notably, the author’s greatest wish was that the civil war could put slavery to an end. There was divided opinion concerning feeling the slaves between North and South America. However, in South America, people had already resolved to put to an end slavery practices. Nevertheless, in the north, slavery persisted due to what the authorities termed as its benefits towards the provision of cheap labor. Therefore, the poem title denounces slavery and advises slaves on personality traits that are integral in fighting for their freedom. Additionally, I would not interpret the poem differently since the tittle perfectly presents the author’s position towards slavery.