Poem Analysis - Papa Above

A Tiny Prayer for the Underdog

Emily Dickinson's "Papa Above!" is a short, surprisingly humorous, and darkly satirical prayer. The poem initially presents a plea for divine intervention, but quickly shifts into a vision of a bizarre afterlife for rodents. This unusual juxtaposition of religious language with the mundane lives of pests creates a tone that is both reverent and irreverent, ultimately questioning conventional notions of salvation and divine justice.

Dickinson's Disrupted Faith

While we cannot say with certainty the influences behind this poem, understanding Dickinson's complex relationship with religion offers context. She often used religious language and imagery in unconventional ways, questioning dogma and exploring her own spiritual understanding. "Papa Above!" can be seen as part of this ongoing exploration, using the familiar structure of prayer to express doubt and perhaps even a touch of rebellion against traditional religious hierarchies. The poem’s seemingly flippant tone might be masking a deeper discomfort with the expected order of things.

The Theme of Justice: Rodent Edition

One key theme in "Papa Above!" is justice, albeit presented in a twisted and unconventional way. The opening lines are a direct appeal for intervention on behalf of the vulnerable "Mouse" being "O'erpowered by the Cat!" This sets up a power dynamic and a cry for fairness. However, the subsequent verse complicates this. Instead of seeking liberation from the Cat, the speaker requests a luxurious afterlife, "A Mansion for the Rat!" This suggests a skewed sense of justice; not to right wrongs in the present, but to compensate for them in a whimsical, imagined future. This theme is further emphasized through the poem's imagery and tone.

Symbolic Cupboards and the Turning of Time

The poem is rich in symbolism. The "Cat" represents a predatory force, the dangers of the world, or even a societal structure that oppresses the weak. The "Mouse" and "Rat" symbolize the vulnerable, the marginalized, and those deemed insignificant. The "seraphic Cupboards," where the Rat will "nibble all the day," become a satirical image of heaven. It’s not a place of spiritual enlightenment, but a pantry of endless indulgence. The "unsuspecting Cycles" that "Wheel solemnly away!" could represent the passage of time, indifferent to the plight of the individual and the concerns of earthly beings. This image underscores the idea that while grand, cosmic events unfold, the struggles of the small often go unnoticed.

A Plea for Absurd Salvation

In conclusion, "Papa Above!" is a clever and subversive poem that uses religious language and imagery to explore themes of justice, power, and salvation. By placing the fate of a mouse and a rat within a theological framework, Dickinson challenges conventional religious expectations and proposes a unique, if somewhat absurd, vision of divine mercy. The poem’s significance lies in its ability to use humor and irony to question the very foundations of faith and to ask whether even the smallest creatures deserve consideration in the grand scheme of things.