Poem Analysis - I Could Suffice For Him I Knew

Hesitation and Infinity: An Overview

Emily Dickinson's "I Could Suffice For Him, I Knew" is a poignant exploration of love, doubt, and the overwhelming presence of the infinite. The poem charts a shift from confident assertion to profound questioning, revealing a speaker grappling with the implications of commitment. Initially, a sense of certainty prevails, but this quickly dissolves into uncertainty and a confrontation with forces larger than the individual. The tone moves from assurance to a contemplative, almost reverential awe. The poem’s power lies in its compressed language and its ability to evoke vast emotional landscapes.

The Allure and Terror of "Infinity"

One of the central themes is the conflict between individual desire and the daunting scope of the "Infinity." The poem opens with a confident declaration: "I could suffice for Him, I knew/He could suffice for Me." This establishes a sense of mutual completeness, a belief in the potential for a fulfilling relationship. However, this assurance is immediately undermined by the introduction of "Hesitating Fractions Both" who "Surveyed Infinity." This image suggests that despite their initial certainty, both individuals are overwhelmed by the immensity of existence and the uncertain future that stretches before them. The word "Fractions" implies incompleteness, suggesting that neither person feels entirely whole or prepared to face the infinite unknowns of a shared life.

Confronting Nature and Divinity

The poem's second stanza introduces a direct confrontation with fundamental aspects of existence. When the "He" figure asks if the speaker would be "Whole," her "syllable rebelled." This rebellious syllable signifies an inner resistance to complete commitment, perhaps stemming from a fear of losing her individual identity. This refusal isn't a rejection of the other person, but a confrontation with the very nature of existence: "‘Twas face to face with Nature forced/‘Twas face to face with God." This intense encounter suggests that the decision to commit to another person is not merely a personal choice, but a profound engagement with the forces that shape the universe. It underscores the immense weight and significance attached to the question of commitment.

Cosmic Symbology: Sun, Stars, and Sea

Dickinson employs powerful symbols to convey the gravity of the situation. The "Sun" and "furthest Star" withdrawing symbolize a loss of light and guidance, representing the speaker's disorientation and the overwhelming nature of the decision. The subsequent image of the "Sea unto/The Motion of the Moon" is particularly compelling. The moon's influence on the tides is a natural, irresistible force. The speaker wonders, "Could I do else with Mine?" This suggests that the speaker feels compelled by some internal force, perhaps love or destiny, to yield to the relationship, just as the sea is compelled to respond to the moon. The question "Could I do else with Mine?" leaves the reader questioning whether we truly have free will when such powerful emotions and natural forces are involved. Does the speaker feel she has a choice, or is she destined to respond, just like the sea?

A Poignant Meditation on Choice and Destiny

"I Could Suffice For Him, I Knew" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and commitment. The poem reveals a speaker grappling with the weight of her decision, torn between the desire for connection and the fear of losing herself in the vastness of existence. The poem's imagery, from the "Hesitating Fractions" to the responsive sea, vividly portrays the speaker's internal struggle. Ultimately, the poem leaves us pondering the delicate balance between individual agency and the forces that shape our lives, questioning the extent to which we control our own destinies in the face of love and the infinite.