Poem Analysis - I Like To See It Lap The Miles

Animate Journey

Emily Dickinson's "I Like To See It Lap The Miles" is a vibrant depiction of a train journey, rendered with playful personification and a sense of awe. The poem uses vivid imagery to transform the locomotive into a living, breathing creature, traversing the landscape with both power and a hint of arrogance. The tone is initially admiring and curious, gradually shifting towards wonder and acceptance of the train's dual nature: both destructive and essential. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the industrial marvel while acknowledging its impact on the natural world.

The Locomotive as a Living Being

The central theme of the poem is the personification of the train. Dickinson does not simply describe the train; she imbues it with human-like qualities. Actions such as "lap the miles," "lick the valleys up," and "stop to feed itself at tanks" create the impression of a hungry, almost animalistic creature. This personification extends to the train's behavior, as it "supercilious[ly] peer[s] / In shanties by the sides of roads," suggesting a haughty and judgmental attitude towards the human settlements it passes. This theme allows Dickinson to explore the relationship between technology and nature, presenting the train as a force both powerful and slightly unsettling.

Power and Humility Combined

Another significant theme is the juxtaposition of power and docility. The train is portrayed as an unstoppable force, capable of "prodigious[ly] step[ping] / Around a pile of mountains" and "par[ing] a quarry / To fit its sides." However, this immense power is tempered by moments of seeming vulnerability and obedience. It "crawl[s] between" obstacles, "complaining all the while," and ultimately "stop[s] – docile and omnipotent – / At its own stable door." This contrast highlights the complex nature of technological progress, suggesting that even the most powerful inventions are ultimately subject to limitations and control.

Images of Consumption and Domination

The poem is rich in imagery that emphasizes the train's consumption and domination of the landscape. The verbs "lap," "lick," and "feed" evoke a sense of the train devouring the natural world. The image of the train "par[ing] a quarry" is particularly striking, suggesting a violent reshaping of the earth to suit its needs. The phrase "neigh like Boanerges" (meaning "sons of thunder," a name given to James and John in the Bible) further amplifies the train's power and its disruptive impact on the environment. These images contribute to a sense of both fascination and unease, prompting readers to consider the consequences of industrial advancement.

A Modern Marvel Returns Home

In conclusion, "I Like To See It Lap The Miles" is a masterful exploration of the technological progress of Dickinson's time, viewed through the lens of playful personification and vivid imagery. The poem's themes of personification, power versus docility, and the train's relationship with the landscape are intertwined, creating a nuanced perspective on industrialization. The final image of the train returning to its "stable door" suggests a return to order and control, but the poem leaves the reader with a lingering awareness of the transformative and potentially disruptive power of technology. The poem invites us to consider whether the "stable door" is a symbol of true containment, or simply a brief respite before the machine ventures out again to reshape the world.