In the poem, “They Shut Me Up In Prose,” Emily Dickinson speaks to the idea that the forces and powers that push to confine and hold can bring out freedom for ourselves instead. The main theme is overcoming originality or the concept that creativity will prevail despite limitations imposed by society, one’s family, or anyone’s expectations. She talks about a force, “They,” that has restricted her freedom and silenced her ability to express herself, but in reality, she was never trapped at all.
Although this poem mostly contains simple words, they present a much deeper meaning and display a longer story. The word, “They,” could refer to society and its expectations and social norms (Dickinson 78). In the first line, “They shut me up in Prose,” it’s clear that Dickinson is implying that the forces of society are trying to keep her in “Prose”. “Prose” could be a metaphor for doing things normally or living ordinarily. This could mean that “They” are trying to enclose her from doing something that is something of her expression but doesn’t belong or fit in the expectations of society. She compares this experience with the next two lines, “As when a little Girl– They put me in a Closet.” This “young girl” presence she creates appears to have its roots in her own childhood when her parents’ dominance in the unavoidable acts of punishment that all parents must implement was occasionally resisted.
A central theme of the poem is likely the results of social repression and the strength of imagination. The repression is present through lines and phrases such as “shut me up” and “put in the closet.” It is vital to note that during Dickinon’s life, oppression was present in every facet of her life as a woman. Her family, society, and others would dictate much of her life and actions. However, just as distinctly, Dickinson evokes the importance of prose as a tool of the imagination. “And seen my brain go round” expresses that despite her caging, Dickinson’s creative urges could not be suppressed (78). In fact, it can be observed as a dismissal of the attempts of her repressors as the phrase is superseded by the following statement: “could themself have peeped.” She likens the attempts of others in suppressing her to “lodging a bird, for treason – in the pound.” The bird, a metaphor for the mind, may easily will itself to fly free and “Look down opon Captivity.” Dickinson outlines that the solution to such societal or other pressures will always easily succumb to the power and will of one’s imagination.
Though the freedom of imagination can be realized through any medium, Dickinson notes her own relationship with poetry and its significance in this poem. “Prose” refers to any form of writing that is not poetry, and a stand-in for social limitation imposed on the author (Dickinson 78). Dickinson’s own position remains that she would not gain freedom through the creation of prose. Based on the structure of the poem, which is poetry in the most traditional definition, it relays that it is the true depiction of art and imagination. It is vital to note that prose is a format that appears within everyday activities of societies that include legal documents, textbooks, and more mundane texts. As such, certain prose is a direct factor of social convention while poetry is completely removed from any regular social activity and exists purely as an art form. Dickinson recognizes the convention appearing in prose, which is why she states that it is used to “shut me up.” Writing or reading prose is perceived as the opposite of poetry by the author. It is this ability to move beyond restrictions and norms that elevates poetry in the eyes of Dickinson.
Dickinson’s “They Shut Me Up In Prose” observes both a few specific ideas and broaches a number of wider concerns. Through the use of metaphor, the author effectively communicates the presence of societal repressions, the ineffectiveness of limiting imagination, prose as an element of societal convention, and poetry as a tool of liberation. Dickinson, like many marginalized groups of her time, would come in contact with a variety of oppressive societal standards. As a woman, she would rarely be free to pursue anything without pushback from her family and society. Prose, like the many roadblocks imposed on her in society, can be interpreted as an agent of the convention. These metaphors establish the central theme of her work which is concerned with relaying the true power of the mind and the art form of poetry. The bird, a recurring metaphor, is a substantial stand-in for the human mind which cannot be caged by a physical barrier. Dickinson realizes this and communicates it through her work.
Reference
Dickinson, E. (2002). In Martin, W. (Ed.). The Cambridge companion to Emily Dickinson. Cambridge University Press.