Sunday, April 28, 2013

What is the pun in line 6 of Emily Dickinson's poem "Apparently with no Surprise"?

God is not 'moved,' either by the suffering of the flower, or of humanity, in Emily Dickinson's poem 'Apparently with no surprise.' Although the poem seems to be superficially about one of her favorite themes - Nature - it can also be read as a discusion about the christian (particularly Roman Catholic) idea of Free Will. 'Why does God not help the oppressed and put an end to pain and suffering?' is a common cry. But many christians believe,as Emily Dickinson may have heard, that God allows his creatures (mankind) a free choice in the life he bestows upon them. If that leads to suffering or harm to others, he does not intervene. Like the Sun/son in the poem, he appears coldly unmoved - allowing Nature/events to take their course. to do anything else,some would say, would be to treat his creations like toys. Nevertheless, some may detect a bitterness or sadness about these lines - maybe Emily felt she did not have the full gamut of choices herself.

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