I Started Early: Took My Dog
By Unknown
I started early, took my dog,
And visited the sea,
The mermaids in the basement
Came out to look at me.And frigates in the upper floor
Extended hempen hands,
Presuming me to be a mouse,
Aground upon the sands.But no man moved me till the tide
Went past my simple shoe,
And past my apron and my belt,
And past my bodice too.And made as if he would eat me up,
As wholly as a dew
On a dandelion’s sleeve,
And then – I started too.And he followed close behind,
I felt his silver heel
On my ankle – then my shoes
Would overflow with pearls.Until we met the solid town,
No one seemed to know him,
Bowing with a mighty look at me,
The sea withdrew.
Summary of “I Started Early: Took My Dog”
- An Enchanting Journey: This poem depicts a solitary walk to the sea, but it quickly transcends a simple seaside stroll. The poet crafts a fantastical world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
- Central Idea – Desire and the Overwhelming Power of Nature: At its heart, the poem explores themes of desire, temptation, and the captivating force of nature. The speaker’s encounter with the sea is both exhilarating and slightly frightening, suggesting an awakening to a powerful, perhaps overwhelming, force.
- A Poem of Transformation: The journey to and from the sea is a transformative experience for the speaker. She begins as an observer, then becomes the observed, and finally returns changed, carrying the memory of her encounter.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “I Started Early: Took My Dog”
The poet masterfully employs a range of literary devices to create a poem that is both accessible and profoundly layered. Understanding these techniques unlocks a deeper appreciation for the artistry.
- Imagery and Sensory Detail: The poem is rich with vivid imagery that appeals to multiple senses. Notice how the poet describes the sea creatures: “The mermaids in the basement / Came out to look at me.” This isn’t just a visual image; it evokes a sense of wonder and mystery. Similarly, the “frigates” with their “hempen hands” are tactile and suggestive.
- Personification: The poet breathes life into the natural world by personifying the sea and its inhabitants. The sea isn’t just a body of water; it’s a powerful entity that “followed close behind” and “bowed” to the speaker. This personification intensifies the sense of the sea as an active, conscious force.
- Metaphor and Symbolism: The entire poem can be interpreted as an extended metaphor for the awakening of desire or a confrontation with the unknown. The sea itself symbolizes the vastness and power of nature, and perhaps also the allure of the unconscious mind. The dog could represent loyalty, companionship, or even the speaker’s own instincts.
- Allusion: The imagery of frigates and the sea evokes a long literary tradition of sea faring adventures and romantic pursuits. The poet subtly draws on these associations to enrich the poem’s meaning.
- Enjambment: The poet frequently uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a sense of fluidity and momentum. Consider lines 3 and 4: “The mermaids in the basement / Came out to look at me.” The enjambment draws the reader forward, mirroring the speaker’s journey.
- Consonance and Assonance: The use of repeated consonant and vowel sounds adds musicality to the poem. Notice the repetition of the “s” sound in “sea,” “basement,” and “sands,” which creates a wave like effect. The “e” sounds in the first stanza contribute to a sense of ethereal beauty.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “I Started Early: Took My Dog”
Beyond literary devices, the poet employs specific poetic techniques that contribute to the poem’s unique voice and impact.
- Diction and Word Choice: The poet’s precise and unconventional word choices are striking. Words like “hempen” and “aground” are unexpected and evocative, contributing to the poem’s unique atmosphere.
- Structure and Form: The poem is composed of six quatrains (four line stanzas), providing a sense of order and balance. However, the poet often deviates from traditional rhyme schemes, creating a sense of spontaneity and naturalness.
- Shifting Perspective: The poem’s perspective shifts subtly throughout. At first, the speaker is an observer, but as the poem progresses, she becomes the observed, and then finally a participant in the unfolding events.
- Ambiguity and Open Endedness: The poet’s work is often characterized by ambiguity and open endedness. The poem doesn’t offer easy answers or interpretations, leaving room for readers to draw their own conclusions.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly evocative and suitable for reflecting on the beauty of nature and the power of imagination:
“I started early, took my dog,
And visited the sea,
The mermaids in the basement
Came out to look at me.”
This opening stanza establishes the poem’s dreamlike atmosphere and introduces the central themes of wonder and enchantment.
Or consider this excerpt to capture a sense of thrilling pursuit:
“And he followed close behind,
I felt his silver heel on my ankle,
Then my shoes would overflow with pearls.”
These lines convey a sense of both excitement and slight apprehension, as the speaker is pursued by the overwhelming force of the sea. The image of “overflowing pearls” is particularly striking and suggestive.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s blend of wonder, tension, and the intoxicating power of the natural world, and demonstrate the poet’s masterful use of language and imagery.