Poem Analysis - IM Saying Every Day

Introduction: A Playful Pretender

Emily Dickinson's "I’m Saying Every Day" is a whimsical exploration of aspiration and the performance of identity. The poem adopts a playful, almost theatrical tone, as the speaker imagines herself as a potential queen. While there's a lightness to the initial fantasy, a subtle undercurrent of insecurity and a fear of unpreparedness soon emerges, creating a captivating blend of ambition and anxiety. This creates a complex emotional landscape, where dreams of royalty are tempered by a practical awareness of social expectations.

Theme 1: The Performance of Identity and Social Mobility

One of the poem's central themes is the performance of identity, particularly as it relates to social mobility. The speaker meticulously rehearses her future queenly demeanor, noting "I’d do this way / And so I deck, a little." This "decking," the careful adjustment of her persona, suggests a conscious effort to embody a role she hasn't yet attained. The lines "Put from my simple speech all plain word / Take other accents, as such I heard" emphasize this performative aspect, as she actively attempts to shed her current identity for a more refined one. This aspiration for social advancement is also conveyed through the fear of being perceived negatively: "None on me, bend supercilious / With This was she / Begged in the Market place / Yesterday." The speaker clearly fears being judged based on her humble origins, highlighting the societal pressures and prejudices associated with class.

Theme 2: Preparation and the Fear of Being Unready

The poem also explores the theme of preparation and the underlying anxiety of being caught off guard. The speaker's actions – looping her apron, adding buttercup pins, and practicing her "singing" voice – are all attempts to mitigate the shock of a sudden elevation in status. The lines "Better to be ready / Than did next morn / Meet me in Aragon / My old Gown on" directly address this fear. She envisions the embarrassment and ridicule of being unprepared for her potential new role, appearing in "Aragon," perhaps representing a new and demanding social environment, in her "old Gown," symbolizing her previous, less sophisticated self. The phrase “Surprised Air / Rustics wear” illustrates the speaker’s fear of being perceived as unrefined.

Theme 3: A Lonely Path to Potential Transformation

A subtle but significant theme is the speaker's isolation in her aspirations. While she imagines a grand future, her present reality is one of solitude, as indicated by the lines "Though but for the Cricket just, / And but for the Bee / Not in all the Meadow / One accost me." This loneliness underscores the personal nature of her dreams and the lack of external validation or support. Her ambition is a private endeavor, pursued in the quiet of her own mind. This sense of isolation also might symbolize the difficulty of upward mobility, emphasizing the gap between her current situation and her imagined future.

Symbols and Vivid Images: Buttercups and Bees

The poem is rich with symbolic imagery. The "bright Pins of Buttercup" that she uses to "loop" her apron can be interpreted as a symbol of both adornment and rebellion. While seemingly simple and rustic, they represent her attempt to subtly enhance her appearance, almost as a form of subversive elegance. They contrast the traditional, aristocratic markers of status but also serve as a way to playfully engage with her ambitions. The "Cricket" and the "Bee," as the only entities that "accost" her, can represent the small, natural world from which she hopes to ascend. They highlight her current, modest existence, emphasizing the contrast between her present and her imagined royal future. The image of "Aragon" functions as a symbolic location of her envisioned future.

Conclusion: Aspiring in Solitude

In conclusion, "I’m Saying Every Day" is a compelling poem about the complexities of aspiration and the human desire for transformation. It delves into the performance of identity, the fear of unpreparedness, and the solitude that can accompany ambitious dreams. The poem's playful tone belies a deeper contemplation of social anxieties and the careful crafting of a desired persona. Ultimately, Dickinson offers a nuanced portrait of a speaker navigating the delicate balance between her present reality and her imagined future, forever preparing for a role she may never fully inhabit, but one that shapes her actions and perceptions in the present. The poem encourages us to consider the power of our aspirations, even when pursued in the quiet solitude of our own hearts, and to ask ourselves how those dreams shape the persons we become.