Poem Analysis - That Distance Was Between Us

The Unfathomable Gulf

Emily Dickinson's "That Distance was between Us" is a brief but potent exploration of emotional separation. The poem's tone is stark and unwavering, emphasizing the absolute nature of the divide it describes. There is a sense of resignation and perhaps even acceptance woven into the concise lines, suggesting that some distances are insurmountable regardless of physical proximity. The poem quickly establishes that the space isn't physical, but rather something far more profound.

The Will as the Divider

One central theme is the power of the will to create barriers. Dickinson asserts that the "Will it is that situates" the distance. This implies that the separation isn't circumstantial, imposed by external forces, or even due to lack of connection. Instead, it's a conscious or unconscious choice made by one or both parties involved. This theme underscores the agency humans possess in constructing their relationships, for good or ill. The distance, then, becomes a self-imposed exile, a chosen solitude.

Beyond Measurement: The Intangibility of Separation

The poem develops the theme of immeasurable distance by contrasting it with physical metrics. It's "not of Mile or Main," meaning neither terrestrial distance nor the vastness of the ocean can define the gulf. The line "Equator never can" further emphasizes this point. The equator, a definitive line of measurement on the globe, is rendered powerless in quantifying this specific separation. This highlights the idea that emotional or spiritual distance exists on a plane that transcends the physical world. The poem strongly implies that certain emotional gaps cannot be bridged by merely traversing physical space.

The Frigidity of the Imagined Equator

The poem employs the equator as a symbol, but not as a symbol of warmth or connection. Instead, it signifies an uncrossable line, a boundary that defines the extent of something rather than connecting it. The use of "never" in relation to the equator further solidifies this. It isn't just that the equator doesn't define the distance; it cannot. This choice of imagery is striking. The equator is a geographic landmark, and is almost universally known as a constant. By saying that the Equator cannot measure that distance, Dickinson powerfully implies that distance created by the will is beyond any measurable force.

A Poem's Quiet Resignation

In conclusion, "That Distance was between Us" is a powerful testament to the intangible barriers that can exist between people. Dickinson masterfully conveys the idea that emotional or spiritual distance, driven by the will, is far more profound and insurmountable than any physical separation. The poem's significance lies in its stark portrayal of this reality, leaving the reader to contemplate the nature of human connection and the often-unspoken choices that shape our relationships. The poem offers a glimpse into a situation of absolute separation, not as a temporary state, but as a definitive and unchangeable condition.