Poem Analysis - Rearrange A Wifes Affection

A Wife's Inner Turmoil and Silent Strength

Emily Dickinson's "Rearrange a Wife's affection!" is a powerful and poignant exploration of a woman's internal struggle within the constraints of marriage and societal expectations. The poem's tone is initially defiant and even aggressive, questioning the very notion of altering a wife's affections, but it quickly shifts to a more melancholic and resigned acceptance of her hidden pain. It is a poem of suffering and quiet strength, where outward appearances mask a profound inner life. The speaker, seemingly trapped in a loveless or difficult marriage, clings to her inner self and a secret that sustains her.

Challenging Societal Norms

Although the context of Dickinson's own life and relationships is often debated, this poem certainly engages with the restrictive social expectations placed upon women in 19th-century America, particularly within the institution of marriage. The poem can be read as a critique of the patriarchal society that sought to define and control women's emotions and identities. The opening lines, with their violent imagery ("dislocate my Brain!," "Amputate my freckled Bosom!," "Make me bearded like a man!"), suggest a forceful resistance to the imposed transformation a woman might experience in an oppressive marriage.

Themes of Hidden Suffering and Endurance

One central theme is the hidden suffering endured by the speaker. The poem reveals a deep well of pain and disappointment masked by outward conformity. The phrase "None suspect me of the crown" is a striking example of this. It suggests that no one realizes the speaker's inner royalty, her inherent worth and strength, because she conceals her suffering behind a facade of normalcy. The image of wearing "the 'Thorns' till Sunset / Then my Diadem put on" encapsulates this duality, suggesting that the speaker bears her pain publicly but reserves her true self for private moments of solace.

The Secret as a Source of Strength

The poem also explores the theme of secrecy and its role in sustaining the speaker. The "Big my Secret but it’s bandaged / It will never get away" suggests that the speaker harbors a profound secret, perhaps an unrequited love, a suppressed ambition, or a deeper understanding of herself that is at odds with her societal role. This secret, though burdensome ("Weary Keeper"), provides her with a sense of identity and purpose, something that transcends the limitations of her marriage. The secret's ultimate revelation only "through the Grave" implies that it is too profound and potentially disruptive to be revealed in life. In a way the secret is the only true thing she owns, and the only thing that will accompany her to death.

Love's Unfulfilled Potential

Finally, the poem grapples with the theme of love and its potential for both fulfillment and disappointment. The lines "Love that never leaped its socket / Trust entrenched in narrow pain / Constancy thro’ fire awarded / Anguish bare of anodyne!" suggest a love that has been constrained, tested, and ultimately left the speaker in pain. The absence of "anodyne" (pain relief) underscores the raw and unyielding nature of her suffering. The phrase "Seven years of troth have taught thee / More than Wifehood every may!" can be interpreted as the speaker realizing that the institution of marriage has taught her more about suffering and endurance than about genuine love or companionship.

Symbols and Their Meanings

The symbols in the poem are rich with meaning. The "freckled Bosom" likely represents the speaker's femininity and vulnerability, while the prospect of being "bearded like a man" symbolizes a loss of her identity and a forced conformity to masculine expectations. The "Thorns" allude to the suffering of Christ, suggesting a self-sacrificing aspect to the speaker's endurance. The "Diadem," in contrast, represents her inner strength and true self, a private reward for bearing her burdens. The "grave" could represent the ultimate escape from her earthly situation.

Concluding Thoughts: The Power of Silent Resistance

In conclusion, "Rearrange a Wife's affection!" is a poignant exploration of a woman's inner life within the constraints of marriage and societal expectations. Through vivid imagery and a shifting tone, Dickinson portrays a speaker who endures hidden suffering, clings to a profound secret, and ultimately finds strength in her silent resistance. The poem invites us to consider the hidden lives and untold stories of women who lived under oppressive circumstances, and it celebrates the power of the human spirit to find meaning and identity even in the face of profound disappointment.