Poem Analysis - Tomorrow Whose Location

A Fleeting Glimpse of Tomorrow

Emily Dickinson's "Tomorrow – whose location" is a brief but potent meditation on the elusive nature of the future. The poem explores the difficulty of grasping "tomorrow," depicting it as something deceptive and ever-retreating. Its tone is questioning and uncertain, tinged with a sense of resignation. Dickinson presents "tomorrow" as both a promise and a potential source of deception, keeping the reader in a state of intriguing ambiguity.

The Unreachable Horizon: Tomorrow as a Deceptive Concept

One of the poem's central themes is the illusory nature of time, specifically the future. The opening lines establish this immediately: "‘Tomorrow’ – whose location / The Wise deceives." Dickinson suggests that even the wisest among us cannot truly pinpoint or understand "tomorrow." This implies that the future is inherently deceptive, a mirage that constantly shifts just beyond our reach. The phrase "its hallucination / Is last that leaves" further reinforces this idea, portraying "tomorrow" as a persistent but ultimately unreal vision that haunts us until the very end.

The Retriever of Regret: Tomorrow as a Place for Redemption or Alibi?

The poem then introduces the theme of atonement or escape. The line "Tomorrow – thou Retriever / Of every tare" suggests that tomorrow might offer a chance to correct past mistakes, retrieving the "tare," or weeds, of our lives. This presents a somewhat hopeful perspective, implying that the future holds the potential for redemption. However, the subsequent question, "Of Alibi art thou / Or ownest where?" injects a note of uncertainty. Is "tomorrow" a place to take responsibility ("ownest where") or simply an "alibi" to evade accountability for our actions?

Symbolism of "Tomorrow"

The central symbol is, of course, "tomorrow" itself. Dickinson personifies "tomorrow," addressing it directly as "thou" and assigning it the roles of "Retriever" and potentially an "Alibi." This personification allows her to explore the complex relationship humans have with the future. "Tomorrow" isn't just a time; it's a concept fraught with hope, anxiety, and uncertainty. It represents both the possibility of change and the temptation to postpone responsibility. It is an elusive concept, forever out of reach.

Lingering Questions: The Enduring Mystery of the Future

Ultimately, "Tomorrow – whose location" doesn't offer any easy answers. It leaves the reader with a sense of the future's inherent unknowability. The poem is a brief, but resonant exploration of how we perceive and interact with the concept of "tomorrow." Is the future a chance for redemption, or is it just a convenient excuse? By posing this question, Dickinson underscores the enduring human struggle to understand and navigate the passage of time.