Poem Analysis - I Started Early Took My Dog

Encountering the Sublime: An Overview

Emily Dickinson's "I Started Early – Took my Dog" presents a fantastical encounter between a speaker and the sea. Initially playful and whimsical, the poem shifts to a more intense and sensual engagement with the ocean's power. The speaker's vulnerability gradually increases as the sea's presence becomes more overwhelming. The poem ultimately explores themes of nature's dominance, the allure of the unknown, and a personal, almost spiritual, transformation.

The Sea as a Powerful Suitor

One of the central themes is the power of nature, specifically personified in the sea. The ocean is not merely a backdrop; it actively interacts with the speaker. The initial imagery of "Mermaids in the Basement" and "Frigates – in the Upper Floor" creates a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere, suggesting the sea's boundless and imaginative reach. However, the sea's playful curiosity quickly escalates into a more potent, even threatening, presence. The lines "And made as He would eat me up – / As wholly as a Dew / Upon a Dandelion's Sleeve" portray the sea's potential to completely engulf and obliterate the speaker, highlighting its immense power compared to human fragility. This interaction can also be interpreted as a meeting with the sublime, an experience of awe and terror in the face of nature's grandeur.

Intimacy and Vulnerability

The theme of vulnerability and exposure is developed through the progressive encroachment of the tide. The speaker's simple act of visiting the sea transforms into a deeply personal and somewhat unsettling experience. As the tide rises "past my simple Shoe – / And past my Apron – and my Belt / And past my Bodice – too," the speaker's layers of protection, both literal (clothing) and metaphorical (personal space), are stripped away. The description of the sea's "Silver Heel / Upon my Ankle" suggests a disturbing intimacy, a violation of boundaries that is simultaneously frightening and alluring. This progressive unveiling underscores the speaker's growing vulnerability to the sea's overwhelming force.

Symbolism of the Sea and Pearls

The sea itself functions as a powerful symbol. It represents the vast unknown, the untamed force of nature, and perhaps even the unconscious. The pearls that "overflow" the speaker's shoes after the sea touches her ankle are a particularly rich symbol. Pearls, formed from irritation within an oyster, often represent transformation, resilience, and hidden beauty. The overflow of pearls suggests that the speaker's encounter with the sea, though potentially overwhelming, has also resulted in a profound, if somewhat ambiguous, transformation. Has the sea brought unwanted attention to the speaker, or has it unveiled something valuable within her? Perhaps the abundance of pearls indicates a newfound understanding of her own strength and resilience in the face of an imposing natural force.

Resolution and Withdrawal

The poem concludes with the sea's graceful, albeit somewhat enigmatic, withdrawal. Upon reaching the "Solid Town," the sea, now perceived as a "He," bows to the speaker and retreats. This ending could suggest that the encounter with the sublime is ultimately a private experience, one that cannot be fully understood or shared within the confines of societal norms ("No One He seemed to know"). The sea's withdrawal implies a return to the ordinary, but the speaker is likely forever changed by her intimate encounter with the raw power and beauty of the natural world. The poem's significance lies in its exploration of the complex relationship between humanity and nature, highlighting both the potential for awe and the inherent vulnerability of human existence.