Poem Analysis - A Prison Gets To Be A Friend

Introduction: Finding Comfort in Confinement

Emily Dickinson's "A Prison Gets To Be A Friend" explores the paradoxical relationship between confinement and comfort. The poem presents a speaker who, despite being imprisoned, develops a strange sense of familiarity and even affection for their captivity. The tone initially suggests resignation but subtly shifts toward acceptance and a bittersweet understanding. The poem uses vivid imagery and personification to illustrate the psychological adaptation to limitations, ultimately questioning the true meaning of freedom and contentment.

Theme: The Allure of Familiarity in Isolation

One of the central themes is the allure of familiarity, even in oppressive circumstances. The poem emphasizes how the prison, initially a symbol of restriction, becomes a known entity. This is apparent in lines like "A Prison gets to be a friend," and "We learn to know the Planks/ That answer to Our feet." The speaker finds a strange solace in the predictable routines and boundaries of prison life, suggesting that even in isolation, humans can find comfort in the predictable. This demonstrates the human capacity to adapt and seek familiarity in even the most undesirable environments. The "narrow Round" becomes less a symbol of despair and more a familiar, if unsatisfying, routine.

Theme: The Paradox of Freedom and Contentment

The poem also explores the complex relationship between freedom and contentment. While liberty is conventionally viewed as desirable, the poem suggests that the "Liberty we knew" is "Avoided like a Dream," because it feels "Too wide." This implies that unlimited freedom can be overwhelming or even frightening. The speaker seemingly prefers the "passiver Content" of their prison, a state of being where expectations and aspirations are diminished. This challenges the reader to consider whether true contentment lies in boundless freedom or in the acceptance of limitations. The "Check of Liberty" is contrasted with the "Phantasm Steel," suggesting a preference for the known constraints of imprisonment over the perceived anxieties of boundless freedom.

Theme: Psychological Adaptation and Acceptance

Finally, the poem delves into the theme of psychological adaptation. The speaker undergoes a transformation in their perception of the prison, moving from viewing it as a source of misery to regarding it with a strange sense of gratitude. The imagery of the "appointed Beam" which "deal us stated as our food" demonstrates how even the meager comforts of imprisonment are appreciated. The phrase "Too steep for lookinp up" highlights the diminished expectations and resignation that characterize the speaker's state of mind. The ability to adapt and find meaning in even the most confined circumstances is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience.

Symbolism: The Prison as a Metaphor for Internal Restraint

The prison itself acts as a powerful symbol, representing not just physical confinement but also internal restraints and psychological barriers. The "Ponderous face" and "narrow Eyes" of the prison are personified, suggesting that these external limitations mirror the speaker's internal state. The "Phantasm Steel" is both a physical barrier and a representation of the speaker's mental state, constantly present "Day and Night." The "Key" and "interrupt" suggest potential for change but the speaker makes no effort to be freed. It may be interpreted that the speaker had an internal conflict that imprisoned them before they were ever physically confined. What could the author be implying about the nature of personal struggles?

Conclusion: A Reflection on the Nature of Freedom

In conclusion, "A Prison Gets To Be A Friend" offers a poignant exploration of human adaptation and the complex relationship between freedom and contentment. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and subtle shifts in tone to convey the speaker's gradual acceptance of their confinement. The poem challenges conventional notions of liberty, suggesting that true contentment may lie not in boundless freedom but in the acceptance of limitations and the finding of familiarity in even the most oppressive circumstances. The poem's lasting significance lies in its exploration of the human capacity to adapt, find meaning, and even develop a strange affection for the very things that confine us.