Poem Analysis - You Said That I

A World of Supplication

Emily Dickinson's "You Said That I" is a poignant exploration of identity, shaped entirely by the desires and perceptions of another. The poem possesses a tone of eager submission, almost bordering on desperation, as the speaker seeks to mold herself into whatever form pleases the addressee. It is a complex dance of power, dependency, and the yearning for validation, carried by carefully chosen language. The mood is initially hopeful, transforming into an almost frenzied willingness to comply, and concluding with a stark declaration of complete surrender. The poem's brevity belies the profound psychological depths it plumbs.

Theme of Identity Through Another's Eyes

One of the central themes is the construction of identity through external validation. The speaker essentially relinquishes control of her own self-image, offering a blank canvas to be painted upon by the "Thee." The lines "Or Small or any size at all / Nay I’m the size suit Thee" underscore this complete surrender to external definition. Dickinson uses vivid imagery like "Tall like the Stag" or "lower like the Wren" to illustrate the speaker's malleable nature. This illustrates a theme where identity is something bestowed, not intrinsically owned, that is dependent on someone else.

The Craving for Acceptance

Another key theme is the intense longing for acceptance and the lengths to which one might go to achieve it. The speaker's willingness to become "Rhinoceros / Or Mouse" highlights the absurdity of the self-transformation she's prepared to undergo. The use of such contrasting images showcases the extremes the speaker is willing to reach to gain approval. The desperation of this plea reveals the speaker’s vulnerability and profound need for affirmation from this other person. It shows the potential damage for one person to give up themselves for the sake of acceptance.

Power Imbalance and its Effects

The poem implicitly addresses the theme of power dynamics in relationships. The speaker places the "Thee" in a position of absolute authority, granting them the power to define her very being. The phrases “Tell which it’s dull to guess” and “So say if Queen it be / Or Page please Thee” explicitly highlight this imbalance. The speaker's only condition, the "Stipulus," is that she "suit Thee," further reinforcing the unequal dynamic. There is a sense of almost childlike dependence in the relationship which could either be romantic or religious.

Symbolism of Animals and Roles

Dickinson employs animal imagery and social roles as powerful symbols of the speaker's willingness to adapt. The stag and wren represent contrasting heights and statures, while the rhinoceros and mouse symbolize extremes of strength and weakness. Similarly, the choice between "Queen" and "Page" represents hierarchical positions. These symbols are not merely descriptive; they are vessels for the speaker's complete surrender, illustrating her readiness to embody any role or attribute dictated by the "Thee." The ambiguity of whether these roles are desirable adds a layer of complexity, suggesting the speaker may not even care what she becomes, as long as it pleases the other person.

Final Considerations

In conclusion, "You Said That I" is a striking exploration of identity, acceptance, and power within a relationship. Through carefully chosen imagery and tone, Dickinson reveals the speaker's desperate attempt to mold herself into the ideal envisioned by another. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of seeking validation solely from external sources and offers a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships where power is often unevenly distributed. Is this a poem about love, control, or perhaps even a warped sense of devotion? The open-ended nature leaves room for interpretation and ultimately speaks to the multifaceted nature of human connection.