The poem
My Faith is larger than the Hills -- So when the Hills decay -- My Faith must take the Purple Wheel To show the Sun the way --
'Tis first He steps upon the Vane -- And then -- upon the Hill -- And then abroad the World He go To do His Golden Will --
And if His Yellow feet should miss -- The Bird would not arise -- The Flowers would slumber on their Stems -- No Bells have Paradise --
How dare I, therefore, stint a faith On which so vast depends -- Lest Firmament should fail for me -- The Rivet in the Bands
My Faith is larger than the Hills
What is this about? I believe that she (Emily) is being wry, a touch of sarcasm, humor. It appears to be a slanted rebut to those who have or profess to have a great deal of "Faith." Dickenson exclaims that her Faith is larger and longer lasting than the Hills and, that when the Hills decay, her Faith will have to show the Sun where to go- but oh! the consequences.... It would, The Sun, cause such havoc and her…
Read the whole commentWhat is this about? I believe that she (Emily) is being wry, a touch of sarcasm, humor. It appears to be a slanted rebut to those who have or profess to have a great deal of "Faith."
Dickenson exclaims that her Faith is larger and longer lasting than the Hills and, that when the Hills decay, her Faith will have to show the Sun where to go- but oh! the consequences.... It would, The Sun, cause such havoc and her Faith would bear such a responsibility. How dare I have such Faith since so much depends on it. And, if my Faith is misguided and the "Firmament should fail for me-", all hell would break loose, as we say.
She seems to be taking the position that stone solid, Faith, is not a reasonable position, but that Faith needs have some more humble uncertainty to it, to be reasonable. She is questioning! Emily is wonderful!!! Today, about 150 years later than when she wrote these words, Faith is still around and giving us all trouble. Some, who profess to have rock-solid "Faith", are at odds with those of us with little, if any, belief or Faith. What, we do not know, we, simply do not know and cannot explain away using Faith. Emily Dickenson is the voice of reason!
Let me know if I am off-base. Joe DiMattio