Poem Analysis - Did We Disobey Him

A Childlike Question of Faith and Forgiveness

Emily Dickinson's "Did We Disobey Him?" presents a deceptively simple exploration of faith, obedience, and divine understanding. The poem adopts a childlike tone, questioning a higher power with a mix of innocent curiosity and a hint of rebellion. It moves from a feeling of guilt to a more compassionate and even gently humorous consideration of God's potential fallibility, ultimately suggesting a more forgiving and humanized view of the divine.

The Weight of Disobedience

One of the central themes of the poem is obedience to a higher power, specifically within a religious context. The opening lines, "Did we disobey Him? / Just one time!" immediately establish a sense of guilt and concern about transgressing against divine law. The phrase "Charged us to forget Him / But we couldn’t learn!" highlights the struggle between divine commands and human limitations. This suggests that the speaker feels remorseful for failing to adhere to a religious commandment, implying a deeply internalized sense of moral obligation.

Humanizing the Divine

The poem takes a surprising turn with the introduction of a second major theme: a compassionate view of God's imperfections. The lines "Were Himself such a Dunce / What would we do?" represent a radical shift in perspective. By entertaining the possibility of God's own shortcomings ("such a Dunce"), Dickinson humanizes the divine. This notion challenges the traditional image of an all-knowing, infallible God, suggesting that divine beings, like humans, are capable of error. The question "What would we do?" prompts reflection on how we might respond to a less-than-perfect deity. This leads to the next point that the poem seems to argue for the human capacity for love and forgiveness, even in the face of imperfection, it is as if to say "if God were imperfect, wouldn't you love him still?"

Love and Compassion as Salvation

The theme of love and compassion emerges as a response to the possibility of divine imperfection. The lines "Love the dull lad best / Oh, wouldn’t you?" strongly suggest that the appropriate response to a fallible God is not judgment or condemnation, but rather increased love and acceptance. The use of the word "lad" further diminishes the divine figure, presenting Him as a vulnerable and perhaps even pitiable character. This humanizing metaphor elevates the importance of compassion and implies that love, not obedience, may be the true measure of faith.

Final Reflections

In conclusion, "Did We Disobey Him?" is a short but profound exploration of faith, obedience, and divine nature. It begins with a tone of guilt-ridden questioning, but quickly evolves into a more complex and compassionate understanding. By humanizing God and suggesting the importance of love and forgiveness over strict obedience, Dickinson offers a refreshing perspective on the relationship between humanity and the divine. The poem ultimately posits that true faith may lie not in blind obedience, but in the capacity to love and accept imperfections, both in ourselves and in the divine figures we worship.