Poem Analysis - Some Keep The Sabbath Going To Church

An Intimate and Individual Faith

Emily Dickinson's "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" is a gentle, yet quietly revolutionary poem that celebrates a deeply personal and unconventional approach to faith. The poem's tone is confident and assured, even playful, as the speaker contrasts her own spiritual practice with more traditional religious observance. There's a sense of contentment and satisfaction in the speaker's chosen path, suggesting a profound connection to the divine through nature and individual experience.

Nature as Sacred Space

One of the central themes of the poem is the redefinition of sacred space. Dickinson rejects the traditional notion that worship is confined to a church building. Instead, she finds holiness in the natural world, declaring her home an adequate and even superior place for Sabbath observance. The "Orchard, for a Dome" and the "Bobolink for a Chorister" illustrate how nature becomes her cathedral and its creatures her choir. This challenges the rigid boundaries of organized religion and proposes that spirituality can be found anywhere, particularly in connection with the natural world.

The Authority of Personal Experience

The poem emphasizes the authority of personal experience in matters of faith. The speaker isn't interested in external validation or adhering to prescribed rituals. "I just wear my Wings," she proclaims, suggesting a sense of inherent spirituality and freedom from the constraints of societal expectations. This act of self-authorization is a powerful statement about individual agency in defining one's own relationship with God. The "little Sexton" that "sings" instead of tolling the bell further emphasizes the rejection of traditional religious practices in favor of a more authentic and personally meaningful expression of faith.

Direct Communion with the Divine

The theme of direct communion with God is woven throughout the poem. The speaker feels no need for intermediaries or elaborate ceremonies to connect with the divine. "God preaches, a noted Clergyman," she states, implying that God's word can be found directly in the world around her. This "sermon" is "never long," suggesting that true spiritual understanding is concise and readily available. By bypassing traditional religious structures, the speaker achieves a more immediate and sustained connection with God, "going, all along" instead of striving to reach Heaven at some future point.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The images within the poem serve as powerful symbols. The "Surplice," representing the formal vestments of the clergy, contrasts sharply with the speaker's "Wings," symbolizing freedom, individuality, and perhaps even a sense of inherent spiritual grace. The "Bell" symbolizes a call to worship, but the "little Sexton's" song offers a more natural and joyful invitation. The ambiguity of "Wings" might lead one to ask: Is this a metaphor for innate spiritual gifts, or a bold claim of spiritual superiority? Dickinson leaves this open to interpretation, enriching the poem's layers of meaning.

A Sanctuary Within

In conclusion, "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" is a testament to the power of individual faith and the beauty of finding the sacred in the everyday. By rejecting traditional religious structures and embracing nature and personal experience, the speaker creates a sanctuary within herself. The poem ultimately suggests that true spirituality is not about adhering to external rules, but about cultivating a direct and meaningful connection with the divine in one's own unique way.