Poem Analysis - Tie The Strings To My Life My Lord

A Surrender to Divine Guidance

Emily Dickinson's "Tie The Strings To My Life, My Lord," presents a speaker ready to embrace the unknown journey of death with unwavering faith. The poem exudes a sense of eager anticipation, tinged with a calm acceptance of divine control. The tone is primarily confident and surrendered, although a subtle undercurrent of nervousness peeks through in the imagery of a downhill race. This poem is a farewell, but not one of sorrow, rather a transition to a new, divinely guided existence.

The Poet's Spiritual Yearning

While Dickinson’s personal religious beliefs remain a subject of scholarly debate, it's evident that she explored themes of faith and spirituality extensively in her poetry. Dickinson lived in a time of intense religious fervor, but also increasing skepticism, which undoubtedly influenced her exploration of these themes. Her reclusive nature and introspective writings suggest a deep personal relationship with the divine, separate from conventional religious practices. This poem seems to reflect that unique perspective, portraying a direct, intimate dialogue with "My Lord," rather than a formal, doctrinal invocation.

Themes of Faith, Surrender, and Transition

Three prominent themes weave through the poem: faith in a higher power, surrender to divine will, and transition from earthly life to the afterlife. The speaker's repeated willingness – "Then I am ready to go!" and "Now I am ready to go!" – highlights her unwavering faith. She acknowledges her dependence on "My Lord" by asking to be secured and guided. This act of asking to be tied shows complete surrender. The poem is fundamentally about the transition from life to death, characterized not as a terrifying end, but as a "race" to "the Judgement," a journey eagerly anticipated and facilitated by divine guidance. The final stanza, with its "Good-by" and farewell kiss, explicitly marks this transition.

Symbols of Journey and Divine Control

Several symbols enhance the poem’s meaning. The "strings" represent the speaker's life, and the act of tying them to "My Lord" symbolizes divine control and guidance. The "horses" and the "rapid" pace of the journey suggest urgency and the swift passage of time towards death. The image of riding "down hill" could be interpreted as the perceived ease of the final stages of life or perhaps as a subtle anxiety about losing control. The bridges and sea might represent challenges or obstacles, but the speaker dismisses them, highlighting her faith that she will be protected through these obstacles. The "hills" represent the familiar comfort and beauty of the speaker's earthly life, which she bids farewell to with a final, affectionate kiss. This final image shows that the speaker is not turning away from life with anger, but accepting a new state.

An Everlasting Race

Ultimately, "Tie The Strings To My Life, My Lord" is a poem of confident acceptance and eager anticipation of death, framed as a divinely guided journey. The speaker's faith, surrender, and acceptance of transition create a portrait of a soul ready to embark on an "everlasting race." This poem might suggest that death is not an end, but a new beginning, a transition to a realm where one is "held fast" by divine love and purpose. The poem's significance lies in its portrayal of death not as something to be feared, but as a journey to be embraced with faith, hope, and a trusting surrender to the divine.