Poem Analysis - You Know That Portrait In The Moon

A Celestial Portrait of Longing

Emily Dickinson's "You Know That Portrait In The Moon" is a poignant exploration of enduring love and the power of memory. The poem's speaker grapples with the image of a beloved figure reflected in the moon, oscillating between joyful recognition and melancholic awareness of time's passage. The tone is intimate and questioning, shifting from a confident assertion of identity to a vulnerable acknowledgement of distance and loss. The poem evokes a sense of both comforting familiarity and unsettling change, creating a complex portrait of love's persistence despite external forces.

Ishmael and the Shifting Sands of Time

The poem's reference to "Ishmael" introduces a fascinating layer of interpretation. Ishmael, traditionally understood as an outcast or wanderer, suggests a relationship marked by separation or unconventional circumstances. The speaker notes, "But Ishmael since we met ’tis long / And fashions intervene," indicating that time and societal pressures have altered the landscape of their connection. This hints at a potential historical or social context where their love might have faced obstacles or been subject to scrutiny. The long passage of time is not portrayed positively, but rather as something that "intervenes".

Love's Enduring Image

One of the central themes in the poem is the enduring power of love. The speaker consistently sees the beloved's likeness in the moon, even as its appearance changes. "When Moon’s at full ’Tis Thou I say," she declares, emphasizing the immediate recognition. This demonstrates that her affection transcends superficial alterations. Even when the moon is a mere crescent ("When crescent Thou art worn"), the speaker still discerns "the Golden Same," suggesting an immutable core of identity and connection that survives the ravages of time. The poem also subtly touches on themes of loss and separation, as the speaker laments the distance that has grown between them, as well as isolation.

Symbolism of the Moon and Clouds

The moon serves as a primary symbol, representing both the beloved and the speaker's memory of them. The fluctuating phases of the moon mirror the changing nature of their relationship and the subjective experience of memory. The "Portrait in the Moon" is not a static representation, but rather a dynamic reflection of the speaker's evolving feelings. The image of "Bold slashing Clouds" that "Cut Thee away from Me" symbolizes external forces or emotional barriers that threaten to sever the connection. This image suggests a more immediate and tangible threat to their bond compared to the "other film / That glazes Holiday," which implies a more subtle and pervasive sense of disillusionment or fading memory.

Holiday's Glaze

The phrase "glazes Holiday" is the last vivid image in the poem and a perplexing one, but that adds to the poem's richness. While "Bold slashing Clouds" can be interpreted as a strong emotional or external interference, "glazes Holiday" is something more subtle. A holiday is traditionally a cheerful and bright occasion, but by glazing it, the speaker acknowledges that is is covered by an impediment. It could be interpreted as a sense of nostalgia or melancholic longing that colors cherished memories, making them seem distant and untouchable. It is easier for the speaker to face the bold slashing clouds than the "other film," possibly because it is a matter of being cut off from the memory by an outside force than the memory being altered by time.

Final Reflections

In conclusion, "You Know That Portrait In The Moon" is a moving exploration of love's enduring presence in the face of time and circumstance. Dickinson masterfully uses the symbolism of the moon and evocative imagery to convey the complexities of memory, loss, and unwavering affection. The poem invites us to contemplate the ways in which our memories shape our perceptions of loved ones and the extent to which external forces can both challenge and strengthen the bonds that connect us. Ultimately, the poem suggests that even when relationships are tested by distance and time, the essence of love can endure, reflected in the ever-changing, yet eternally familiar, portrait in the moon.