Poem Analysis - Me Change Me Alter

A Stubborn Refusal to Yield

Emily Dickinson's "Me, Change! Me, Alter!" is a short but powerful declaration of unwavering selfhood. The poem possesses a defiant tone, firmly rejecting the notion of personal transformation. It reads as a challenge, almost an accusation, leveled against an unnamed force urging change. The speaker presents a conditional commitment to change, but frames that condition as virtually impossible, thus reinforcing their resistance.

Immutability and the Grandeur of Nature

One central theme is the idea of immutability, a refusal to be altered by external pressures. The poem argues that change will only occur when a significant shift in the natural world occurs. Dickinson uses the vastness of the natural world to emphasize her personal resolve. The poem also touches upon the grandeur of nature, using vivid imagery like the "Everlasting Hill" and the "Cordillera" to depict a world of timeless beauty and stability, creating an interesting tension as this beauty is used to illustrate an inability to alter.

Imagery of the Impossible

The imagery is crucial to understanding the poem's message. The "Smaller Purple" at sunset and the "lesser glow" on the Cordillera are not merely visual details; they represent impossibilities. Purple, often associated with royalty and grandeur, is diminished, and the magnificent Cordillera, a mountain range, experiences a weakened glow. These images symbolize unlikely occurrences, serving as metaphors for the speaker's resistance to change. The poem suggests that only when nature itself undergoes a radical diminution will the speaker contemplate personal alteration.

Sunset as a Symbol of Finality

Sunset, as a recurring symbol, takes on a multifaceted meaning. On one hand, it is a beautiful natural phenomenon, part of the daily cycle. On the other hand, it signals the end of the day, a period of diminishing light and, potentially, a metaphor for finality and the end of possibilities. By placing the impossible occurrence of a "Smaller Purple" at sunset, Dickinson further emphasizes the unlikelihood of change. It reinforces the idea that her current state is definitive and not subject to external manipulation.

A Declaration of Self-Possession

In conclusion, "Me, Change! Me, Alter!" is a fierce declaration of self-possession. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and a defiant tone to express her unwavering resistance to change. The poem's significance lies in its exploration of immutability as a conscious choice, a stubborn refusal to yield to external pressures, underscored by the imagery of natural impossibilities. It leaves us pondering the strength derived from a steadfast commitment to one's own self, even in the face of calls for transformation.