My Life Had Stood, a Loaded Gun
My Life had stood, a Loaded Gun,
In Corners, till a Day
The Owner passed, identified,
And carried Me away.And now We roam in Sovereign Woods,
And now We hunt the Doe,
And every time I speak for Him,
The Mountains straight reply.And do I smile, such cordial light,
Upon the Valley glow,
It is as a Vesuvian face,
Had let its pleasure through.And when at Night, Our good Day done,
I guard My Master’s Head,
’Tis better than the Eider Duck’s
Deep Pillow, to have shared.To foe of His, I’m deadly foe,
None stir the second time,
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye,
Or an emphatic Thumb.Though I than He may longer live,
He longer must, than I,
For I have but the power to kill,
Without the power to die.
Summary of My Life Had Stood, a Loaded Gun
- Popularity of “My Life Had Stood, a Loaded Gun”: This poem is often cited in discussions about poetic metaphor, although it is not a known work of Emily Dickinson. Scholars note that it has been circulated in modern anthologies and discussed as an example of powerful imagery and extended metaphor.
- “My Life had stood, a Loaded Gun” as a Representative of Power: The poem uses the striking metaphor of a loaded gun to suggest a life kept in potential, awaiting purpose. The speaker, personified as the gun, is awakened when an “Owner” recognizes its power and carries it away. The poem then describes a partnership in which the gun and its Owner roam the “Sovereign Woods” and hunt the “Doe.” The gun’s purpose is defined by the Owner, and its power is amplified through action. The final stanzas stress the gun’s unwavering loyalty and deadly effectiveness, suggesting that its power can outlast its Creator.
- Major Themes in “My Life had stood, a Loaded Gun”: Central themes include power, identification, and the longevity of art. The poem illustrates how potential is unlocked by an external force. It ultimately argues that true power lies not only in the ability to act, but in the lasting legacy of one’s work—a legacy that can endure beyond the creator themselves.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “My Life Had Stood, a Loaded Gun”
Dickinson skillfully employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem’s impact and complexity. Let’s examine some key examples:
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within closely situated words contributes to the poem’s musicality and emphasis. For example, the repeated short “i” sound in “And do I smile, such cordial light” creates a subtle echoing effect.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words adds emphasis and rhythm. Notice the repetition of the “s” sound in “And do I smile, such cordial light,” and the “m” sound in “I guard My Master’s Head,” both drawing attention to those particular phrases.
- Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. While not as prominent, the use of “And now” at the beginning of lines in the second stanza (“And now We roam … And now We hunt …”) creates a sense of momentum and emphasizes the active partnership between the gun and its Owner.
And now We roam in Sovereign Woods,
And now We hunt the Doe.
- Enjambment: This technique involves continuing a thought or phrase from one line to the next without a grammatical pause. Notice how the thought flows seamlessly across lines in the stanza:
And do I smile, such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow,
It is as a Vesuvian face,
Had let its pleasure through.The lack of punctuation at the end of lines creates a sense of continuous motion and draws the reader forward.
- Imagery: Dickinson uses vivid imagery to appeal to the reader’s senses and create a powerful mental picture. Consider phrases like “My Life had stood, a Loaded Gun,” “’Tis better than the Eider Duck’s,” and “On whom I lay a Yellow Eye.” These images are striking and contribute to the poem’s overall intensity.
- Metaphor: The central device of the poem is the extended metaphor of the loaded gun. The gun isn’t simply a weapon; it represents a life, a potential for action, and a power waiting to be unleashed. The entire poem can be read as an exploration of this metaphor and its implications.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects. Life itself is personified in the opening line, “My Life had stood, a Loaded Gun,” suggesting agency and purpose even before activation.
- Symbolism: The loaded gun itself is a symbol of power, potential, and even danger. It can also be interpreted as a symbol of artistic creation—a force capable of both destruction and beauty.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “My Life Had Stood, a Loaded Gun”
Dickinson masterfully employs poetic devices to create rhythm, tone, and meaning in her poem. Here’s a closer look at some key techniques:
- Quatrain: A quatrain is a four‑line stanza, and Dickinson uses this form consistently throughout the poem. This structure provides a sense of order and balance.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem generally follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. This creates a subtle musicality without being overly predictable.
- Stanza: The poem is composed of six quatrains, each contributing to the development of the central metaphor and themes.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly resonant and can be used to explore themes of mortality, the power of artistic expression, and the enduring legacy of creative works.
Though I than He may longer live,
He longer must, than I,
For I have but the power to kill,
Without the power to die.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central paradox: the gun—representing art or a life’s work—may outlive its creator, achieving a form of immortality through its enduring power and impact.