Poem Analysis - I Had Some Things That I Called Mine

A Dispute Over Ownership

Emily Dickinson’s "I Had Some Things That I Called Mine" is a deceptively simple poem about a conflict of ownership, seemingly between the speaker and God. The poem begins with a tone of mild annoyance, but it gradually shifts to one of determined defiance. This poem isn't just about possessions; it's about power, justice, and the speaker's refusal to be dominated, even by a divine force. The poem's core is an argument over a piece of land, but it resonates with broader themes of individual autonomy and resistance against authority.

The Garden as a Battleground

One of the central themes in the poem is the struggle for control and autonomy. The "things" the speaker initially possesses represent her personal sphere, her domain. God, too, claims ownership, suggesting a shared existence where boundaries are blurred. However, the arrival of the "rival Claim" shatters this equilibrium, leading to a direct confrontation. The garden, specifically, becomes the battleground. The speaker painstakingly "sown with care" this plot, imbuing it with personal investment and labor. God's claim, enforced by a "Bailiff," feels like an intrusion, a violation of the speaker's hard work and right to ownership. The garden, therefore, symbolizes not only physical property but also the speaker's individual identity and creative endeavors.

Divine Authority vs. Human Justice

The poem also explores the tension between divine authority and human justice. The speaker acknowledges the unequal "station of the parties," recognizing God's inherent power. However, she elevates justice above both "arms, or pedigree," implying that fairness and right supersede even divine strength and inherited status. The speaker's appeal to the law and her invocation of "Jove!" (another name for Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods) reveal a willingness to challenge even the highest authority. The final lines, "I'll institute an Action / I'll vindicate the law / Jove! Choose your counsel / I retain Shaw!" boldly declare her intention to fight for her rights, even if it means taking on a god in a legal battle, suggesting the speaker values human law and justice.

The Unyielding Spirit

The most prominent symbol in the poem is the garden itself, representing the speaker's personal realm and creative efforts. The act of "sowing with care" suggests not just tending to a garden but also nurturing one's own growth and development. God's claim on this garden symbolizes an attempt to control or appropriate the speaker's self-expression. The "Bailiff" sent by God represents an instrument of power, enforcing divine authority. However, the speaker's defiant response, her determination to "vindicate the law," underscores her unyielding spirit and refusal to be intimidated. Is the speaker successful in her lawsuit, or is this more of a personal, internal victory?

A Triumph of Individual Will

In conclusion, "I Had Some Things That I Called Mine" is a powerful testament to the importance of individual autonomy and the right to defend one's personal sphere. While the poem ostensibly concerns a property dispute with God, it resonates with broader themes of resistance against overbearing authority. Dickinson uses vivid imagery, like the carefully sown garden and the intruding bailiff, to illustrate the struggle between divine power and human justice. The speaker's defiant stance and determination to fight for her rights, even against a seemingly insurmountable opponent, ultimately affirm the triumph of individual will and the enduring value of justice.