Poem Analysis - We Learned The Whole Of Love

Introduction: A Journey into Love's Unfathomable Depths

Emily Dickinson's "We Learned The Whole Of Love" explores the complexities of love through the metaphor of learning and understanding. The poem begins with a sense of accomplishment, suggesting that love can be mastered like a subject in school. However, this confidence quickly dissolves into a recognition of love's vastness and inherent mystery. The tone shifts from one of certainty to one of humility and acknowledgment of ignorance, highlighting the ultimately unknowable nature of deep connection.

Love as a Curriculum: From Textbook to Uncharted Territory

One of the central themes in this poem is the inadequacy of intellectual understanding in grasping the totality of love. The opening lines establish a framework of education: "The Alphabet the Words / A Chapter then the mighty Book / Then Revelation closed." This suggests that love can be approached systematically, learned in stages like a subject in school. However, this structure abruptly breaks down. The poem implies that true love transcends the structured knowledge that the speaker thought they had obtained. The phrase "Revelation closed" further signifies that the conventional path to wisdom is finished, and the lovers are on their own, outside what is known or expected.

The Paradox of Innocence: Seeing with New Eyes

Another crucial theme is the rediscovery of innocence and wonder within the context of love. The lines "But in Each Other’s eyes / An Ignorance beheld / Diviner than the Childhood’s / And each to each, a Child" present a striking contrast to the earlier image of systematic learning. "Ignorance" here is not presented as something negative, but as "Diviner than the Childhood's." This suggests a pure, untainted perspective that arises from the depths of connection. The imagery of being "each to each, a Child" reinforces this theme of reborn innocence, implying a vulnerability and openness to experience that are essential to true love. Love strips away preconceived notions and allows for a childlike wonder.

The Limits of Understanding: Wisdom's Boundless Realm

The theme of the vastness and complexity of truth and wisdom is powerfully expressed. The speaker and their partner "Attempted to expound / What Neither understood." This highlights the futility of trying to fully articulate or comprehend the experience of love. The lament "Alas, that Wisdom is so large / And Truth so manifold!" encapsulates the speaker's realization that the deeper they delve into love, the more they recognize its immensity. The poem suggests that love is too profound to be confined within the boundaries of human understanding.

The Eyes as Windows: Symbols of Profound Connection and Unknown Depths

The recurring image of "Each Other's eyes" serves as a powerful symbol throughout the poem. The eyes are often interpreted as windows to the soul, and in this poem, they represent a point of profound connection and mutual recognition. However, they also symbolize the unknown depths that lie within each individual and within the relationship itself. It is within these "eyes" that the "Ignorance" is beheld, suggesting that true understanding comes not from intellectual knowledge but from the raw, unfiltered experience of seeing and being seen by another. This symbol raises an interesting question: Does the "Ignorance" represent a lack of knowledge or a higher form of knowing that transcends the limitations of the mind?

Conclusion: Love's Enduring Mystery

"We Learned The Whole Of Love" is a poignant exploration of love's multifaceted nature. Dickinson's poem ultimately suggests that while we may strive to understand love, it remains a profound mystery, far exceeding the grasp of intellect. The journey from structured learning to the embrace of "Ignorance" underscores the poem's central message: that true connection lies not in mastering love, but in humbly acknowledging its boundless depths and embracing its inherent unknowability. The poem is a testament to love's power to awaken a sense of wonder and to remind us of the infinite possibilities that lie within human connection.