Poem Analysis - I Think Just How My Shape Will Rise

A Vision of Hope and Unconventional Salvation

Emily Dickinson's "I Think Just How My Shape Will Rise" explores the speaker's anticipation of death and salvation, but with a uniquely Dickinsonian twist. The poem opens with a hopeful expectation of forgiveness and ascension to Heaven. However, this initial hope gradually gives way to a more complex and ultimately defiant acceptance of her own spiritual path. The poem's tone shifts from gentle anticipation to a more fervent and slightly unsettling declaration of faith, questioning traditional religious doctrine.

Yearning for Acceptance and Divine Consideration

One central theme in the poem is the speaker's desire for divine acceptance and recognition. This is evident in the lines, "That you so late Consider me / The Sparrow of your Care." The speaker uses the image of a sparrow, a small and often overlooked creature, to represent herself. She longs to be noticed and cared for by a higher power, suggesting a feeling of insignificance or perhaps even neglect. This yearning is expressed as a humble request, but also hints at a sense of injustice, as if divine consideration is overdue.

The Paradox of Forgiveness and Unshriven Heart

Another significant theme is the complex relationship between forgiveness and salvation. The speaker initially focuses on being "forgiven" as a prerequisite for rising to Heaven. However, as the poem progresses, she seems to question the necessity of this forgiveness. The lines "And so I con that thing forgiven / Until delirious borne / By my long bright and longer trust / I drop my Heart unshriven!" suggest that the speaker ultimately trusts in her own faith, regardless of whether she has been formally absolved of her sins. This highlights a tension between traditional religious beliefs and individual spiritual conviction.

Imagery of Ascent and Symbolic Burden

The poem employs vivid imagery, particularly relating to ascent and lightness. The "shape will rise" and the vanishing of "Hair and Eyes and timid Head" create a picture of spiritual liberation and transcendence. Furthermore, the "shapeless quivering prayer" evokes a sense of overwhelming emotion, while also suggesting a release from physical form. The contrasting image of a "Heart unshriven!" is a powerful symbol. The "Heart," representing the speaker's soul and emotions, being "unshriven" (unforgiven) juxtaposes the initial desire for absolution, suggesting a defiance of conventional religious expectations. The heart, despite being burdened with unconfessed sins, is still carried aloft by faith, a powerful image of self-reliance and unconventional salvation.

A Final Insight

In conclusion, "I Think Just How My Shape Will Rise" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of divine acceptance, forgiveness, and individual faith. Dickinson challenges traditional religious notions by suggesting that salvation may be attainable not through adherence to dogma, but through a deep and unwavering personal trust. The poem’s power lies in its ability to express both the longing for divine grace and the courage to forge one's own spiritual path, even if it deviates from established doctrines. The poem leaves the reader with a lingering question: Is forgiveness truly necessary for salvation, or can unwavering faith be enough?