Poem Analysis - It Would Never Be Common More I Said

A Shift from Ecstasy to Despair

Emily Dickinson's "It Would Never Be Common more i Said" charts a dramatic shift from overwhelming joy to profound loss. The poem begins with an ecstatic declaration of difference and then plunges into the depths of despair and disillusionment. The tone moves from boastful confidence and celebratory generosity to one of utter desolation and bewildered grief. This abrupt transition underscores the ephemeral nature of happiness and the swiftness with which fortune can change, leaving the speaker stripped bare.

The Fleeting Nature of Extraordinary Joy

One primary theme explored in the poem is the transient nature of extraordinary joy. The initial stanzas overflow with expressions of uncontainable happiness. The speaker states that "It would never be Common more," suggesting an elevation beyond the mundane, a state of exceptional bliss. This joy is so intense it physically manifests, "I told it Red / Upon my simple Cheek," and renders language itself superfluous, " 'Twas needless any speak." This section employs vivid imagery of lightness and freedom, with the speaker feeling as though she is walking with wings. However, this intense joy is unsustainable. The swiftness with which it vanishes highlights the precariousness of happiness, suggesting that such heights are inherently unstable.

The Crushing Weight of Loss and Deprivation

The poem also grapples with the theme of the crushing weight of loss and deprivation. The sudden reversal in fortune, marked by the lines "When suddenly my Riches shrank / A Goblin drank my Dew," introduces a stark contrast. The image of the "Goblin" suggests a malevolent force that actively steals the speaker's happiness, emphasizing the arbitrary and cruel nature of loss. The imagery shifts from vibrant and buoyant to bleak and desolate: "My Palaces dropped tenantless / Myself was beggared too." This emphasizes the completeness of the loss; it is not merely material but existential, leaving the speaker utterly alone and impoverished.

Transformation and The Quest for Identity

Finally, the poem explores the theme of transformation and the quest for identity in the wake of loss. The joyful, generous self is replaced by a bewildered and disoriented figure. The speaker gropes for something tangible, clutching at "sounds" and "shapes," indicating a desperate attempt to regain a sense of reality and stability. The line "I felt the Wilderness roll back / Along my Golden lines" powerfully conveys the encroaching desolation and the undoing of all that once felt precious. The concluding lines, with the mention of "Sackcloth" and the vanished "Brocade," suggest a return to a former, simpler self, but one now marked by the experience of profound loss. The question "But where my moment of Brocade / My drop of India?" lingers, highlighting the enduring impact of the vanished joy and the impossibility of fully returning to the pre-experience state.

Symbolism of Clothing: From Brocade to Sackcloth

The poem employs clothing as a recurring symbol to represent the speaker's changing state. Initially, the speaker is adorned metaphorically with "Brocade" and "India," signifying richness, opulence, and an elevated status. These luxurious fabrics represent the joy and abundance she experiences. The disappearance of these items symbolizes the loss of her happiness and the stripping away of her elevated sense of self. Conversely, the "Sackcloth," a coarse fabric traditionally worn as a sign of mourning and penance, represents the speaker's grief and her return to a state of humility and deprivation. The contrast between these fabrics underscores the dramatic shift in her circumstances and her emotional state.

Final Thoughts: The Enduring Scars of Lost Joy

In conclusion, "It Would Never Be Common more i Said" is a poignant exploration of the fleeting nature of happiness and the enduring impact of loss. Dickinson masterfully uses imagery and symbolism to depict the speaker's journey from ecstatic joy to profound despair. The poem reminds us that even the most intense happiness is fragile and that the experience of loss can fundamentally alter our perception of ourselves and the world, leaving behind scars that are impossible to fully erase. The poem is a raw and honest portrayal of the human condition, capturing both the exhilaration of joy and the devastating weight of its absence.