Poem Analysis - Escaping Backward To Perceive

A Dance with the Divine

Emily Dickinson's "Escaping Backward To Perceive" is a short but potent poem exploring the complex relationship between humanity and the overwhelming power of nature, specifically the sea. The poem evokes a sense of both fear and awe, as the speaker grapples with the sea's immensity. The tone is initially hesitant and exploratory, shifting towards a more reverent and accepting stance as the poem progresses. This journey of facing something immense and then discovering a Divine presence is what powers the emotional effect of this poem.

The Crushing Weight and Attraction of Nature

One of the central themes is the overwhelming power of nature and its potential to inspire a sense of the divine. The sea, with its "glittering Embrace" and "Billow's height," is portrayed as a force that both attracts and threatens. The act of "Escaping backward" and "forward" suggests a conflicted approach, a simultaneous desire to understand and a fear of being consumed by the sea's vastness. Dickinson uses imagery of movement, both retreating and advancing, to demonstrate the speaker's precarious position, caught between fascination and fear.

The Dual Nature of Retreat

The poem also explores the theme of retreat as a path to understanding. The speaker's actions – "Escaping backward," "Retreating up," "Retreating blinded down" – suggest a deliberate attempt to gain perspective. It's as if only by stepping back from the immediate intensity of the sea can one truly perceive its significance. This retreat, however, isn't simply an act of avoidance. The phrase "Instructs to the Divine" indicates that the process of retreating, of creating distance, is ultimately a spiritual journey, leading to a deeper understanding of something larger than oneself.

Symbols of the Sea and Sight

The sea itself functions as a multifaceted symbol. It represents not only the physical power of nature but also the unknown, the sublime, and the divine. The "glittering Embrace" suggests a seductive yet potentially dangerous allure. The phrase "Our undermining feet to meet" is particularly evocative, suggesting the vulnerability of humanity in the face of such overwhelming force. Furthermore, the word “perceive” and “blinded down” create a relationship to vision. The poem can be interpreted as suggesting that sight is not always seeing and that sometimes it takes blindness to truly comprehend.

A Final Glimpse of the Infinite

In conclusion, "Escaping Backward To Perceive" is a powerful meditation on the relationship between humanity, nature, and the divine. Through vivid imagery of the sea and the speaker's movements, Dickinson conveys a sense of awe, fear, and ultimately, spiritual understanding. The poem suggests that encountering the immensity of nature, even if it requires retreat and a confrontation with our own vulnerability, can lead to a profound recognition of the divine, which is shown here as something both alluring and dangerous, offering a glimpse into the infinite that surrounds us.