Poem Analysis - What Did They Do Since I Saw Them

A Lingering Curiosity and Defiance

Emily Dickinson's "What Did They Do Since I Saw Them?" is a poem steeped in curiosity, bordering on obsession, about the lives of those who have passed on. The tone is initially inquisitive, transitioning to a stubborn defiance. The poem explores not only the speaker's desire for knowledge about the afterlife, but also a profound resistance to surrendering that knowledge, even to a divine power. This creates a sense of tension between the natural human desire to understand the unknown and a rebellious unwillingness to yield to accepted religious doctrines.

The Irresistible Pull of the Unknown

One prominent theme is the insatiable curiosity about what happens after death. The opening lines, "What did They do since I saw Them? / Were They industrious?" immediately establish this. The speaker is not concerned with grand pronouncements about Heaven or Hell, but with the mundane details of existence beyond the grave. The use of the word "industrious" suggests a concern with purpose and activity, even in the afterlife. This seemingly simple question reveals a deep-seated desire to understand the fundamental nature of being, regardless of its location.

A Struggle for Control and Knowledge

Another key theme is the power struggle between the speaker and a higher authority, represented by "God." The speaker imagines snatching the faces and extracting replies from the dead, holding them captive until all questions are answered. This image suggests a determination to wrest control over knowledge from the divine. The speaker's reluctance to restore her "Booty / To that Bold Person, God" underscores a profound defiance against submitting to religious authority and an assertion of individual intellect and the right to know. This is not simply about information; it is about who controls that information and the power that comes with it.

Homesickness and Eternity

The concept of "Homesickness / After Eternity" is a striking image, suggesting that even the eternal bliss of Heaven might pale in comparison to the familiar comforts of earthly life and connection. This phrase encapsulates the theme of the allure of the known, even against the promise of the unknown afterlife. It also hints at a certain disappointment with the traditional depiction of Heaven, suggesting that the speaker finds the prospect of eternal existence, disconnected from earthly relationships, less appealing than one might expect.

The Booty of Knowledge and Resistance

The image of "Booty" is particularly potent. It frames knowledge of the afterlife not as a divine gift, but as something stolen or seized. This reinforces the speaker's adversarial relationship with "God" and emphasizes the act of acquiring forbidden knowledge as a form of rebellion. The "Bold Person, God" is not presented as an all-loving, benevolent figure, but as a powerful entity whose authority is being challenged. Could the speaker’s boldness in withholding this “booty” be interpreted as a yearning for acknowledgement, or perhaps even equality, with this divine entity?

Defiant Curiosity in the Face of Eternity

In conclusion, "What Did They Do Since I Saw Them?" is a powerful exploration of curiosity, defiance, and the human struggle to understand the mysteries of death and the afterlife. Dickinson's poem is not a gentle meditation on mortality, but a bold assertion of the individual's right to question, to know, and to resist the dictates of authority, even when that authority is divine. It leaves the reader contemplating the delicate balance between faith, curiosity, and the enduring human desire to unravel the secrets of existence.