So Much of Heaven Has Gone from Earth
So Much of Heaven Has Gone from Earth - meaning Summary
Belief Strained by Proof
The poem explores the uneasy relation between faith and evidence. Dickinson suggests that the visible absence of divine things implies a Heaven to account for saints, then imagines a missionary trying to show a mole the sky, highlighting limits of proof for creatures in darkness. The closing image of a turtle that leaves when watched implies that excessive scrutiny can destroy the very phenomena belief seeks to preserve. Faith endures by absence as much as by presence.
Read Complete AnalysesSo much of Heaven has gone from Earth That there must be a Heaven If only to enclose the Saints To Affidavit given. The Missionary to the Mole Must prove there is a Sky Location doubtless he would plead But what excuse have I? Too much of Proof affronts Belief The Turtle will not try Unless you leave him – then return And he has hauled away.
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