Who Giants Know, with Lesser Men
poem 796
Who Giants Know, with Lesser Men - meaning Summary
Greatness Uneasy Among Small
Dickinson contrasts two responses to scale and significance. The poem suggests that those aware of their own greatness feel incomplete and awkward among lesser people, while the small remain untroubled and unselfconscious. The image of the summer gnat implies ignorance can be a form of contentment: a limited perspective spares one the anxiety of measuring oneself against larger standards. The poem reflects on relative perception, isolation, and the cost of self-awareness.
Read Complete AnalysesWho Giants know, with lesser Men Are incomplete, and shy For Greatness, that is ill at ease In minor Company A Smaller, could not be perturbed The Summer Gnat displays Unconscious that his single Fleet Do not comprise the skies
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