Poem Analysis - The Devil Had He Fidelity

A Paradoxical Devil: Introduction

Emily Dickinson’s “The Devil – had he fidelity” presents a provocative and paradoxical view of the Devil, exploring the potential for good even within a traditionally evil figure. The poem’s tone is initially speculative and almost whimsical, considering a hypothetical scenario. However, it shifts to a more assertive and confident declaration of the Devil's potential divinity if he were to possess fidelity. This short poem uses irony to challenge conventional understandings of good and evil, hinting at the complexities within moral absolutes.

Goodness in Capability: Exploring a Devilish Theme

One central theme of the poem is the potential for goodness within inherent ability, regardless of moral alignment. Dickinson argues that the Devil, possessing “ability,” could be the “best friend” if only he possessed fidelity. This suggests that capability, a neutral attribute, can be directed towards either positive or negative ends depending on one's moral compass. The poem highlights the importance of moral choices in determining the impact of one's abilities, rather than the abilities themselves being inherently good or evil.

The Virtue of Perfidy: Subverting Expectations

The poem directly confronts the conventional understanding of virtue and vice by suggesting that the Devil’s “perfidy” (the act of betraying trust) is, paradoxically, his defining characteristic. Dickinson turns conventional morality on its head, making the very thing that defines the Devil's evil – his untrustworthiness – the linchpin of his identity. The line "Perfidy is the virtue / That would but he resign" implies that without perfidy, the Devil loses his diabolical essence, and consequently, gains a type of warped virtue. This challenges the reader to consider what truly defines good and evil, and whether rigid adherence to traditional virtues is always the most insightful path.

The Devil's Redemption: Imagining the Divine

The most striking image in the poem is that of a "thoroughly divine" Devil. This vivid and unexpected depiction is not simply a description but a thought experiment. It is a result of changing a single, albeit crucial, characteristic: the Devil's lack of fidelity. By envisioning the Devil as divine, Dickinson suggests that redemption is possible, even for the most seemingly irredeemable figures. This challenges rigid doctrines of damnation and implies that potential for good exists in all beings, albeit sometimes buried beneath layers of perceived evil. This opens the question of whether absolute evil truly exists, or whether it is simply a lack of choosing the good.

Reimagining Morality: Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Devil – had he fidelity" is a compact but powerful exploration of morality and potential. Dickinson uses the figure of the Devil as a vehicle to question established notions of good and evil, highlighting the significance of choices, trustworthiness, and the possibility of redemption. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to consider the complexities of moral identity and the potential for transformation, even within the most unlikely of subjects, suggesting a nuanced and unconventional understanding of divinity itself.