How loose is too
loose?
Let’s take a look at these different versions of Emily
Dickinson poems to see what impact the changes in punctuation, capitalization,
and diction do to the meaning of the poems.
|
Edited
Version The soul selects her own society, Then shuts the door; On her divine majority Obtrude no more. Unmoved, she notes the chariots pausing At her low gate; Unmoved, an emperor is kneeling Upon her mat. I’ve known her from an ample nation Choose one; Then close the valves of her attention Like stone. |
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— |
|
Edited
Version I never saw a moor, I never saw the sea; Yet know I how the heather looks, And what a wave must be. I never spoke with God, Nor visited in heaven; Yet certain am I of the spot As if the chart were given |
I never saw a Moor— I never saw the Sea— Yet know I how the Heather looks And what a Billow be. I never spoke with God Nor visited in Heaven— Yet certain am I of the spot As if the Checks1 were given— 1Tickets purchased for a train trip |