Poem Analysis - It Always Felt To Me A Wrong

A Feeling of Injustice

Emily Dickinson’s "It Always Felt To Me a Wrong" is a deeply felt meditation on divine justice, specifically concerning the biblical figure of Moses. The poem expresses a profound sense of empathy and outrage over God’s decision to allow Moses to see the Promised Land, Canaan, but not enter it. The tone is initially accusatory and indignant, shifting later to one of sorrow and identification with Moses’s plight. This creates a poignant exploration of power, fairness, and the human (or perhaps divine) capacity for cruelty.

The Authority of Divine Disappointment

While Dickinson was deeply religious and influenced by the prevailing Protestant culture of her time, she often questioned and reinterpreted biblical narratives. This poem reflects her willingness to challenge traditional interpretations of scripture and to sympathize with figures who might be seen as flawed or punished by God. Understanding this independent streak in her religious thinking is key to grasping the poem's central argument.

Themes of Injustice, Power, and Divine Cruelty

One of the central themes is injustice. Dickinson presents God's treatment of Moses as a blatant wrong. The poem uses language like "wrong" and "injury" to emphasize the unfairness of the situation. A related theme is power, particularly the imbalance between God and humanity. God is portrayed as possessing absolute authority, capable of manipulating and tantalizing even a figure as great as Moses. This leads to a third theme: divine cruelty. The poem suggests that God’s actions towards Moses were not simply a punishment, but a form of "tantalizing Play," akin to a cruel game, indicating a deep skepticism about the nature of divine justice.

Imagery of Tantalization and Symbolic Robes

The poem is rich in imagery that reinforces its themes. The image of Moses seeing Canaan, yet being denied entry, is central. It symbolizes the frustration of unfulfilled promise and the agony of being so close yet so far. The "tantalizing Play" metaphor uses the image of a boy tormenting another to illustrate God’s seemingly capricious behavior. Furthermore, the "Pentateuchal Robes" serve as a symbol of Moses’s authority and achievements, highlighting the irony of his grand status being undermined by this final, devastating denial. The image of the "Old Man on Nebo" at the poem's conclusion evokes pity and underlines the lateness and ultimate futility of human justice in the face of God's will.

Final Thoughts: A Cry for Justice

"It Always Felt To Me a Wrong" is a powerful indictment of what Dickinson perceives as a profound injustice. Through vivid imagery and impassioned language, she expresses her outrage at God’s treatment of Moses, questioning the fairness of divine power and highlighting the human capacity for empathy even across vast disparities of status and influence. The poem ultimately becomes a cry for justice, not just for Moses, but for all those who have suffered under the weight of seemingly arbitrary authority, divine or otherwise.