Poem Analysis - My Eye Is Fuller Than My Vase

Introduction: A Declaration of Love's Abundance

Emily Dickinson's "My Eye is Fuller Than My Vase" is a concise and powerful declaration of love, overflowing with imagery and emotion. The poem uses simple comparisons to express profound affection, moving from natural observations to a grand, almost hyperbolic, expression of devotion. The tone is initially delicate and observant, shifting to passionate and unrestrained by the poem's conclusion. This is a poem about love's immeasurable quality.

The Theme of Uncontainable Love

The central theme of the poem is the uncontainable nature of love. The speaker's love is presented as something so vast that it exceeds physical containers. The "vase" represents a typical vessel for beauty or emotion, something that can be measured and displayed. However, the speaker's "Eye" is "fuller," suggesting that her perception and experience of beauty (and, by extension, love) are more profound than anything that can be physically held. This sets up the idea that her love is something immeasurable and transcends the ordinary.

Wealth and Affection: Symbolic Language

Another significant theme is the comparison of love to wealth, specifically the wealth of "East India." The speaker asserts that her "Heart" outweighs her "Eye," which in turn is "fuller than my vase." By likening her heart's capacity for love to the treasures of East India, she emphasizes the incredible value and abundance of her affection. East India, at the time, was associated with exotic goods, riches, and vast resources. Therefore, this comparison underscores the depth and significance of her feelings for the recipient of her love. The phrase "for you!" is placed at the end of the verse to create an emotional emphasis on the recipient, underscoring the reason for the intense display of emotions.

The Weight of Love: An Overpowering Force

The poem subtly touches upon the theme of love as an overpowering force. The "Heart" outweighing the "Eye" is more than just a measurement of quantity. It indicates that the emotional weight of love is more significant than the aesthetic appreciation or observation of beauty. This is a subtle hint that love, in its purest form, moves beyond mere observation and overwhelms the speaker. This sense of being overcome is a common trope in love poetry, and Dickinson employs it here with characteristic conciseness.

Dew and East India: Vivid Sensory Details

The poem's imagery is crucial to understanding its message. The "Dew" in the speaker's "Eye" evokes a sense of freshness, purity, and delicate beauty. It is a natural, everyday element, suggesting that the speaker finds beauty and potential love in the simplest things. The contrast with the "East India" image creates a powerful juxtaposition between the readily available beauty of nature and the exotic, almost mythical wealth. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the unparalleled value of the speaker's love, making it more precious than any material possession.

Conclusion: A Lasting Impression of Immense Love

"My Eye is Fuller Than My Vase" is a small but mighty testament to the boundless nature of love. Dickinson uses carefully chosen imagery and comparisons to elevate a simple declaration into a grand expression of affection. The poem's significance lies in its ability to convey immense emotion within a compact form, leaving the reader with a lasting impression of love's overwhelming power and incomparable value. The shift from delicate imagery to a declaration of wealth emphasizes the transformative effect of love, turning everyday experiences into something priceless.