Poem Analysis - Train

Emily Dickinson's "Train" is a perplexing and unsettling poem, steeped in anxiety and a sense of alienation. The poem presents a scene on a train, but it quickly devolves into a surreal and claustrophobic exploration of relationships, discomfort, and the intrusion of others into one's personal space. The tone is generally uneasy and dreamlike, shifting from observation to introspection, ultimately culminating in a desire for escape. The poem’s atmosphere is thick with a sense of dread and a yearning for solitude.

Intrusion and Discomfort: The Core of the Narrative

One of the primary themes in the poem is the feeling of intrusion and discomfort caused by the presence of others. The speaker is clearly disturbed by the couple on the train. The phrase "In the train’s dressy dark" immediately creates a sense of confinement, and the subsequent descriptions of the other passengers intensify this feeling. The girl's actions, described as "careful, inconsiderate," and her "plastic skill" in manipulating a machine, suggest a cold and unsettling presence. The lines “These anarchists can’t sing, their meticulous chaos / is narrowing a room” explicitly state the speaker’s aversion to the disruption caused by these individuals. The speaker's internal reaction to their presence drives the poem.

The Erosion of Self and Boundaries

The poem also explores the theme of the erosion of self and personal boundaries. The line "This tank of wishing air has you in plural" suggests that the speaker's identity is becoming fragmented and diffused by the surrounding environment and the presence of others. The image of the girl's "black receding eye" being "flung at you for a story" indicates a forceful demand for connection and participation, which the speaker resists. The phrase "You shed like a friend" further emphasizes a sense of loss and the shedding of a part of oneself in response to this unwanted interaction. The speaker is losing themself in the situation.

Mortality and the Desire for Escape

Mortality is another underlying theme, intertwined with the desire for escape. The line "You want to die in the morning, the bed hurts" is a stark expression of this desire. The image of the man becoming "her dead wood / and her rung" suggests a chilling and potentially fatalistic dynamic within their relationship, further contributing to the speaker's unease. The speaker longs for solitude and escape, as evidenced by their desire for the couple to leave ("waiting for them to go away") and the description of the "irate garden" that is "enough to make you pale," suggesting a preference for the interior world over external reality. The poem ends with a yearning for an escape from the situation presented.

Recurring Imagery of Confinement and Decay

Several recurring images contribute to the poem's overall message. The train itself is a symbol of confinement, representing the inescapable nature of the speaker's situation. Images of darkness, such as "the train’s dressy dark" and "your face blacking out," reinforce this sense of oppression and the loss of individual identity. The description of the man's "ashy clothes" and the phrase "the sole retreat gets harder" suggest a decline and decay, both physical and emotional. The water system flocking through walls could be interpreted as a desperate attempt to purify and cleanse a corrupt environment, though the attempt seems futile. The moon you won’t exchange gives like a rope might symbolize a personal value or principle that is being compromised or threatened in this claustrophobic setting.

Concluding Thoughts: An Exploration of Social Anxiety

In conclusion, "Train" is a complex and unsettling poem that delves into themes of intrusion, the erosion of self, and the desire for escape. Through vivid imagery and an unsettling tone, Dickinson creates a powerful exploration of social anxiety and the challenges of navigating personal space in a crowded and intrusive world. The poem leaves the reader with a lingering sense of discomfort and a question of how far individuals may go to retain their sense of self in a society that increasingly encroaches upon personal boundaries. The final lines suggest a surrender to the discomfort and a retreat into an inner world, raising the question of whether such withdrawal is a viable or sustainable solution.