We Learned the Whole of Love
poem 568
We Learned the Whole of Love - meaning Summary
Love as Unfinished Knowledge
Dickinson presents love as both learned and unknowable. The speakers acquire language and doctrine for love, yet when they look at one another they see a purer ignorance, like childhood. Each tries to explain what neither truly understands, and the poem ends by noting wisdom and truth are vast and varied. The tone emphasizes shared humility and the idea that intimate knowledge remains incomplete and mysterious.
Read Complete AnalysesWe learned the Whole of Love The Alphabet the Words A Chapter then the mighty Book Then Revelation closed But in Each Other’s eyes An Ignorance beheld Diviner than the Childhood’s And each to each, a Child Attempted to expound What Neither understood Alas, that Wisdom is so large And Truth so manifold!
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