Poem Analysis - Forget The Lady With The Amulet

Introduction: A Plea for Loyalty

Emily Dickinson’s "Forget! The Lady With The Amulet" is a complex exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and enduring commitment. The poem unfolds as a series of questions and assertions, creating a sense of unease and uncertainty. The initial tone is pleading, almost desperate, urging the reader to forget. However, a defiant undercurrent emerges, suggesting an unwavering devotion that transcends mortal limitations. The poem balances fragility with immense strength, painting a picture of a love tested by circumstances and time.

The Unwavering Devotion in the Face of Forgetfulness

One of the central themes is the enduring nature of love, contrasted with the human tendency to forget. The poem opens with a direct command, "Forget!" implying a desire to erase a past association, specifically, "The lady with the Amulet." This immediately introduces the question of why forgetting is necessary. Is it due to betrayal, as suggested by "Was Treason twixt?" This question highlights the potential fragility of relationships. Yet, the poem doesn't dwell on the betrayal itself, instead, it circles back to a powerful declaration of unwavering loyalty and devotion, contrasting with the request for oblivion.

Nature's Metaphors and the Inevitability of Loss

The poem skillfully employs nature as a metaphor for human relationships and mortality. The image of the "Rose" and her "Bee" evokes a natural partnership, suggesting a sense of loss when asking "Deny! Did Rose her Bee/For Privilege of Play/Or Wile of Butterfly/Or Opportunity Her Lord away?" Dickinson contemplates the reasons the Bee might leave the Rose. This question is essentially examining the causes of separation, questioning if trivial distractions or external temptations can truly dissolve a deep connection. This contemplation of the natural world serves to underscore the poem's concern with both the fragility and tenacity of love, contrasting the natural impulse to stray with the will to remain faithful. The imagery of the "Mausoleum" represents death and finality. The Bee's entombment contrasts sharply with the speaker's declaration of unwavering loyalty, suggesting a love that persists even beyond death.

The Amulet: A Symbol of Protection and Secrets

The "Amulet" serves as a potent symbol, potentially representing protection, secrets, or a hidden bond. The fact that the lady "wore it at her Heart" suggests a deep, personal significance. It could symbolize a secret shared between the lady and another, or a protection against some external force. The very act of wanting to forget her with the amulet hints that remembering this symbol is the key to understanding the entire situation. Was the amulet given as a token of love or as a means of protection against the "Treason"? The ambiguity surrounding the amulet adds to the poem’s intrigue, leaving the reader to ponder its true meaning and its connection to the lady's fate. One might interpret the amulet as representing the very memory or commitment the speaker is urging the listener (or themselves) to forget, knowing that forgetting it would break faith with the "lady with the amulet".

Water Imagery: An Eternal Promise

The imagery of water, particularly the "little Rill" and the "Sea," underscores the poem's theme of enduring loyalty. The speaker vows to remain steadfast, "longer than the little Rill/That cooled the Forehead of the Hill," while others pursue grander destinies. This comparison highlights the speaker's conscious choice to prioritize loyalty over ambition or external allure. The "Rill" that remains constant, "cooled the Forehead of the Hill," represents a quiet, unwavering devotion. In contrast, the water that "went the Sea to fill/And Other went to turn the Mill" suggests more active and perhaps self-serving pursuits. By choosing to emulate the Rill, the speaker emphasizes the profound value of quiet constancy.

Conclusion: An Eternal Allegiance

In conclusion, "Forget! The Lady With The Amulet" is a testament to the enduring power of loyalty in the face of potential betrayal and inevitable mortality. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and a series of poignant questions, Dickinson explores the complexities of human relationships and the unwavering devotion that can transcend earthly limitations. The poem acknowledges the human tendency to forget, but ultimately celebrates the enduring strength of love and commitment, leaving the reader with a profound sense of its power and value. By declaring "I'll do thy Will" the speaker asserts their allegiance not only in life but also, potentially, beyond death, suggesting a commitment that defies the passage of time and the inevitability of loss.