Poem Analysis - To Make A Prairie

A Miniature World of Imagination

Emily Dickinson's "To Make a Prairie" is a deceptively simple poem that unfolds into a profound meditation on the power of imagination. The poem is concise and intimate, suggesting a quiet reflection on how much or how little is needed to create something vast and beautiful. The tone is initially instructional, shifting subtly to a more introspective and even somewhat whimsical mood as the poem progresses. The brevity itself underscores the efficiency and potency of the mind.

The Sufficiency of Imagination

One of the central themes in "To Make a Prairie" is the sufficiency of imagination. The poem begins by suggesting the literal elements required to create a prairie: "a clover and one bee." However, the third line introduces "revery," a state of dreamy meditation, as a crucial component. The emphasis shifts entirely in the final two lines: "The revery alone will do, / If bees are few." This highlights the power of imagination to compensate for what is lacking in reality. The poem suggests that while the physical world provides the raw materials, it is the imagination that truly brings the prairie—or any other creation—to life. This theme reflects Dickinson's own life of seclusion and her reliance on inner experience to create her remarkable body of work.

Nature's Simplicity, Imagination's Boundlessness

The poem subtly explores the theme of nature's simplicity versus imagination's boundlessness. The concrete imagery of "clover" and "bee" represents the tangible, easily understood elements of the natural world. These are simple building blocks. The symbol of the prairie becomes a metaphor for something grand and expansive. In contrast, "revery" signifies the human capacity to transcend physical limitations. Imagination knows no bounds and can conjure vast landscapes from the smallest seeds of reality. Dickinson positions the natural world as a catalyst for the imagination, showing how a small detail can unlock a vast inner universe.

Symbolism of the Prairie

The prairie itself acts as a potent symbol within the poem. It represents not just a physical space but also a mental landscape, a space of possibility and potential. The initial description of how to "make" a prairie using tangible natural objects shifts quickly to an abstract "revery". This suggests that the real prairie is the one created in the mind. The prairie, therefore, becomes a symbol of the limitless potential of the human mind. It serves as a canvas for creation, a space where thoughts and feelings can take root and flourish. One could argue that the prairie could also symbolize the poems themselves, birthed from a careful observation and inner life.

The Enduring Power of the Mind

In conclusion, "To Make a Prairie" is a powerful testament to the human imagination's ability to create beauty and overcome limitations. Dickinson suggests that while external elements can contribute to the creation of something magnificent, the true source of creation lies within the individual. The poem emphasizes the enduring power of the mind to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, to conjure entire worlds from the simplest of starting points. Ultimately, the poem invites us to cultivate our own "revery" and explore the boundless landscapes within ourselves.