Poem Analysis - We Can But Follow To The Sun

Introduction: Following the Sun's Path

Emily Dickinson's "We Can But Follow To The Sun" is a concise meditation on life, death, and the limitations of human perception. The poem begins with a sense of hopeful pursuit, following the sun as it sets, but quickly shifts to a stark recognition of mortality's finality. The tone transitions from optimistic aspiration to a more sobering contemplation of what lies beyond the earthly realm. Dickinson explores the boundaries of our journey and what remains unseen.

Sunlight and Mortality

One primary theme is mortality, juxtaposed with the recurring image of the sun. The sun initially represents hope and guidance, something to "follow." However, the poem argues that this "following" is limited. We can follow the sun only until it "go down," suggesting the setting of one's life. The sun's daily journey becomes a metaphor for the human lifespan. This reinforces the idea that our earthly experience, though guided by sources of hope and inspiration, ultimately ends.

The Earthen Door: A Final Boundary

The image of the "Earthen Door" serves as a potent symbol of death. It represents the physical barrier between life and the unknown afterlife. The line "We go no further with the Dust / Than to the Earthen Door" emphasizes the finality of this boundary. The "Dust" likely refers to the physical body, further solidifying the theme of mortality and the separation of the physical self from what might come next. The imagery is stark and uncompromising, highlighting the absolute limit of our earthly journey.

Reversed Panels: Unveiling the Unseen

The "Panels are reversed" offers a glimpse of the mysterious beyond, though not necessarily a comforting one. While the first stanza speaks of "following," this second half of the poem suggests a point where our understanding and perception cease. This introduces the theme of the unknown, or perhaps the unknowable. What we "behold no more" after death remains undefined, leaving the reader to contemplate the possibilities or lack thereof. The reversed panels could symbolize a radical shift in perspective or a complete absence of perspective altogether.

Concluding Thoughts: A Journey's End

In conclusion, "We Can But Follow To The Sun" is a brief but powerful exploration of life's journey and the inevitable encounter with death. Dickinson uses vivid imagery, particularly the setting sun and the "Earthen Door," to illustrate the limitations of human existence and the mysteries that lie beyond. The poem suggests that while we can follow sources of light and hope in life, we ultimately reach a boundary beyond which our perception and understanding cease, leaving us to ponder the nature of what remains unseen.