Who Were ‘the Father and the Son’
Who Were ‘the Father and the Son’ - meaning Summary
Belief Reshaped by Time
The poem recalls childhood puzzlement about "the Father and the Son" and tracks how belief changes as we age. Childhood inference and simple faith give way to adult doubt and the awkwardness of shifting convictions. Dickinson suggests that belief feels most natural when fixed; repeated alteration makes it ill-fitting. The speaker imagines feeling embarrassed to admit to a miraculous Heaven after years of skepticism, exposing the social and personal strain of faith.
Read Complete AnalysesWho were ‘the Father and the Son’ We pondered when a child, And what had they to do with us And when portentous told With inference appalling By Childhood fortified We thought, at least they are no worse Than they have been described. Who are ‘the Father and the Son’ Did we demand Today ‘The Father and the Son’ himself Would doubtless specify – But had they the felicity When we desired to know. We better Friends had been, perhaps, Than time ensue to be – We start – to learn that we believe But once – entirely – Belief, it does not fit so well When altered frequently – We blush, that Heaven if we achieve – Event ineffable – We shall have shunned until ashamed To own the Miracle –
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