Poem Analysis - How Human Nature Dotes

Introduction: The Allure of the Unknown

Emily Dickinson's "How Human Nature dotes" is a short but profound meditation on the human fascination with the unknown. The poem begins with a tone of knowing observation, almost amusement, at our inherent curiosity. As it progresses, however, the poem's mood deepens, evolving into a more serious consideration of what lies beyond our comprehension. The final stanza shifts again, becoming almost a desperate plea, a yearning for understanding about existence itself.

Theme 1: Curiosity's Paradoxical Nature

One of the central themes is the paradoxical nature of curiosity. Dickinson argues that human nature is drawn to what it cannot understand, "On what it can't detect." The moment something is figured out ("a Plot is plumbed"), its appeal vanishes ("Prospective is extinct"). In essence, the poem suggests that the joy lies in the anticipation and pursuit of knowledge, not in the acquisition of it. This idea ties into the broader theme of human limitations, as our insatiable curiosity is forever destined to chase after things just beyond our grasp.

Theme 2: The Fragility of Hope

The poem also touches upon the fragility of hope, which it equates with "Prospective." Dickinson presents "Prospective" as a "friend" that is only available when "Constancy is clarified / Of Curiosity." In other words, hope flourishes when we settle down and cease our restless searching. The poem implies that the relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding can actually erode hope, leaving us disillusioned. This is a somber reflection on the potential costs of relentless intellectual exploration. The very act of wanting to understand can destroy the feeling of anticipation for the future.

Theme 3: Existential Questioning

The final stanza delves into existential questioning. The poem takes a turn towards profound uncertainty about the afterlife. The repeated question, "Where go we – / Go we anywhere / Creation after this?" is a direct expression of human anxiety about what happens after death. It’s a raw, vulnerable query that highlights the limitations of human knowledge and the inherent fear of the unknown. There is an overwhelming sense that existence itself is uncertain beyond our lives.

Symbolism: Plumbed Depths and Vanished Futures

The image of "a Plot is plumbed" is a powerful symbol for the act of understanding or solving a mystery. The word "plumbed" evokes a sense of depth and thoroughness, suggesting that once we reach the bottom of something, once we fully comprehend it, its allure disappears. "Prospective," the friend, symbolizes hope and potential, which are intrinsically tied to the future. Its extinction symbolizes the loss of hope that comes with gaining knowledge or the end of possibilities. Does "Creation after this" refer to something literally created after one's life or a larger act of existence that we as humans cannot yet fathom?

Concluding Insight: The Enduring Mystery

In conclusion, "How Human Nature dotes" is a powerful exploration of human curiosity, the allure of the unknown, and the existential questions that plague us. The poem suggests that our endless pursuit of knowledge, while a defining characteristic of human nature, is ultimately a bittersweet endeavor. We are forever drawn to the mysteries of the universe, even as the act of unraveling those mysteries diminishes their appeal and perhaps even erodes our hope. The enduring power of the poem lies in its ability to capture the tension between our desire for understanding and the inherent limitations of human knowledge. The poem makes us examine the cost of knowing, and the value of not knowing.