Poem Analysis - A Single Screw Of Flesh

Introduction: A Fleeting Touch of the Divine

Emily Dickinson's "A Single Screw Of Flesh" is a powerful exploration of the intense, almost unbearable connection between the mortal and the divine. The poem begins with a sense of fragile, almost precarious attachment, quickly moving into a feeling of loss and then culminating in a defiance against even the heavens themselves. The poem's tone shifts from intimate tenderness to a defiant assertion of earthly love's power, all within a tightly controlled emotional space. The poem conveys a sense of great significance in the smallest of physical interactions.

The Divine Tether: Defining Connection

The poem grapples with the theme of connection, specifically the tenuous link between the human soul and a higher power. The "Single Screw Of Flesh" is a striking image, suggesting that something as seemingly insignificant as a physical touch, a momentary intimacy, "pins the Soul" and anchors it to the divine, which she calls "Deity". The phrase "stands for" is also significant, indicating that the "Deity" here is a symbol rather than an actual being. This phrase suggests that Dickinson is exploring the role of earthly relationships in our understanding of spirituality. The physical intimacy is the vessel for understanding a deity.

Loss and Remembrance: A Past Etched in Eternity

The theme of loss is strongly woven throughout the poem, starting with the veiled or hidden nature of the initial connection. The "Veil/Once witnessed of the Gauze" implies a fleeting glimpse of something precious that is now lost to awareness. The phrase "Its name is put away" emphasizes the finality of the separation. However, the impact of that lost connection lingers. The “tender solemn Alphabet” impressed “yesterday” upon “My eyes” suggests that although the initial physical presence has disappeared, the *memory* of that connection has been indelibly imprinted on the speaker's consciousness, carried into "Eternity" by sight itself. The poem explores the enduring power of past experiences, emphasizing how they shape our perception of reality, even in the face of absence.

Earthly Love's Supremacy: A Challenge to the Heavens

The poem culminates in a defiant assertion of the power of earthly love over divine authority. The introduction of "More Hands to hold" signals a shift from singular connection to something perhaps broader or more sustaining. The "new-mailed Nerve" hints at resilience and protection forged for the "Peril's sake". This "Peril" is the potential loss of the connection and the strength needed to overcome it. This culminates in an image of "Giant Love" that dwarfs even the Gods, suggesting that the intensity of earthly love can exceed the divine. The Gods "slink before the Clay," indicating that even heavenly powers are diminished in the face of such profound human connection. The "Keepsake" of this love, something profoundly important, will never be released by the speaker, *no matter what* Heaven offers. This is a testament to the power of human bonds.

Clay and Heaven: Symbols of Mortality and Divinity

The poem uses potent symbols, particularly the contrast between "Clay" and "Heaven." "Clay" represents the mortal, earthly realm, the human body, and the fleeting nature of existence. The "Keepsake" held within the clay signifies the precious memories and emotions associated with earthly love. Conversely, "Heaven" symbolizes the divine, the eternal, and the unattainable. The fact that the Gods "slink before the Clay" suggests that the human experience, particularly the intensity of earthly love, holds a power that even the divine cannot replicate or supersede. The poem poses a question: is the true power found not in the ethereal realm of Heaven, but in the tangible, vulnerable reality of human connection?

Conclusion: An Ode to Love's Enduring Power

In conclusion, "A Single Screw Of Flesh" is a testament to the intense and enduring power of love, particularly the love that transcends the boundaries of the physical world. Through vivid imagery and emotional shifts, Dickinson explores the delicate connection between the mortal and the divine, ultimately asserting the supremacy of earthly love over even the heavens. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of human connection and its capacity to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It leaves us pondering the enduring nature of memory and the defiantly human spirit that refuses to relinquish its most precious keepsakes.