Poem Analysis - It Struck Me Every Day

Introduction: An Enduring Pain

Emily Dickinson's "It Struck Me Every Day" is a concise yet powerful exploration of enduring suffering. The poem uses the arresting image of lightning to depict a persistent and inescapable pain, one that defies both time and expectation. The initial tone is one of shocked realization, which slowly gives way to a sense of weary resignation. The mood shifts from the intensity of a sudden strike to the lingering ache of an unending storm, leaving the reader with a profound sense of the speaker's prolonged agony.

The Inescapable Nature of Suffering

One of the central themes of the poem is the inescapable nature of suffering. Dickinson employs the metaphor of lightning, a sudden and violent force, to represent a traumatic event or period of intense pain. The lines "It struck me every day/The lightning was as new" suggests that the pain, rather than diminishing over time, retains its initial intensity. This contradicts the common expectation that wounds heal; instead, the speaker experiences a perpetual fresh wound. The phrase "Nature lost the date of this" further emphasizes the timeless and unyielding nature of the speaker's torment, suggesting it has become an eternal present, forever etched in the speaker's experience.

The All-Consuming Power of Trauma

Another significant theme is the all-consuming power of trauma. The effects of the lightning are not confined to a single moment. The poem describes how "It burned me in the night,/It blistered in my dream," illustrating that the pain permeates every aspect of the speaker's existence, even reaching into their subconscious. This suggests that the trauma is not just a memory, but a living presence that continues to inflict pain. The use of vivid imagery, such as "burned" and "blistered," reinforces the intensity of the speaker's suffering and how completely it dominates their life.

Perception and Reality

A third theme that emerges is the disjunction between expectation and reality in the face of overwhelming experience. The speaker "thought that storm was brief," indicating a belief that the suffering would be temporary. However, the poem's final lines reveal the speaker's initial perception to be false. This failure of nature to let the storm pass creates a sense of alienation and isolation for the speaker. The natural order has been disrupted and betrayed her expectation, leaving her to cope with a reality that defies logic or common sense.

Symbolism of Lightning and the Unending Storm

The lightning functions as a potent symbol representing a sudden, impactful, and traumatic event. It suggests something unforeseen and unavoidable that leaves a lasting mark. The image of the "cloud that instant slit" implies an abrupt disruption, severing the speaker's peace and leaving them exposed. The "fire" released by the lightning symbolizes the intense pain and emotional devastation that follows. The ongoing storm represents the lasting consequences of this event, highlighting how a single moment can alter one's entire existence. One might also interpret the storm as a metaphor for a mental health struggle, questioning whether the poem hints at a chronic condition that forever alters perception.

Conclusion: The Lasting Scar

"It Struck Me Every Day" is a poignant exploration of enduring pain and its profound impact on the individual. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Dickinson reveals the all-consuming nature of trauma and its ability to warp one's perception of time and reality. The poem leaves the reader with a lingering sense of the speaker's unending suffering, suggesting that some wounds never truly heal, and that the scars of the past can continue to burn with every morning's beam. The poem's power lies in its ability to capture the essence of prolonged agony in a compact and unforgettable form.