Someone help me with a poem.?

Question

This poem is by Emily Dickinson called "My Life had stood- a Loaded Gun"

I just need help analying this part of the poem...

And do I smile, such cordial light
Opon the Valley glow-
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let it's pleasure through

Answer 1

Vesuvian face is a metaphor alluding to the volcanic Vesuvius mountain which burns the valley below with glowing lava. In short, she is saying, should I resist such a welcome to spit fire (hot lava) like Vesuvius that enjoyed setting the valley below aglow (burning). Her face is burning with rage like that of the volcanic mountain.
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Most readers feel the power of this poem is based on rage. The speaker compares her life to an unused loaded gun and finds joy in fulfilling its purpose to kill. Even if you have never felt a rage so violently that you felt destructive or explosive, can you imagine what such a state must feel like? Does this poem convincingly portray such a rage?

The force of this poem strikes me every time I read it, and I am moved by it though its exact meaning eludes me. For the critic David Porter, its message lies "in its very indefiniteness. Significance rests not in what the poem says but in what it leaves out, what it cannot get into its words and therefore into consciousness." Dickinson may be attempting to express the Inexpressible, or perhaps she is struggling with what was inexpressible for her.
- Dickinson style, in this poem is built around idea or technique of the extended metaphor. This gives the poem lasting relavence and understanding as it can be applied to all contexts, and audiences relate to the simplicity of the metaphor as a means for understanding the deeper (original) contextual meaning of the poem.

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My Life had stood -- a Loaded Gun
- by Emily Dickinson

My Life had stood -- a Loaded Gun --
In Corners -- till a Day
The Owner passed -- identified --
And carried Me away --

And now We roam in Sovereign Woods --
And now We hunt the Doe --
And every time I speak for Him --
The Mountains straight reply --

And do I smile, such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow --
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let its pleasure through --
My Life had stood -- a Loaded Gun -- by Emily Dickinson
My Life had stood -- a Loaded Gun --
In Corners -- till a Day
The Owner passed -- identified --
And carried Me away --

And now We roam in Sovereign Woods --
And now We hunt the Doe --
And every time I speak for Him --
The Mountains straight reply --

And do I smile, such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow --
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let its pleasure through --

And when at Night -- Our good Day done --
I guard My Master's Head --
'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's
Deep Pillow -- to have shared --

To foe of His -- I'm deadly foe --
None stir the second time --
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye --
Or an emphatic Thumb --

Though I than He -- may longer live
He longer must -- than I --
For I have but the power to kill,
Without -- the power to die --

And when at Night -- Our good Day done --
I guard My Master's Head --
'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's
Deep Pillow -- to have shared --

To foe of His -- I'm deadly foe --
None stir the second time --
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye --
Or an emphatic Thumb --

Though I than He -- may longer live
He longer must -- than I --
For I have but the power to kill,
Without -- the power to die --


good luck
.

Answer 2

I love Emily's work. She's amazing; however, you've chosen one of her most difficult pieces. My Life Had Stood is still being debated. In order to understand this particular stanza, you must choose with whom you agree. I personally believe that Emily is writing about rage. The rage of being a woman during the late 19th early 20th century. She stands ready to provide death and pain, but is frustrated with society's expectations.

Concerning this particular stanza, she is asking if she should remain in the background, as women are expected to do, or should she refuse to be subservient to man. "Vesuvian" is a common type of match, or something similar to a volcano. In this instance, I believe she is providing a image of a dim lit face stepping into the front. Very difficult, but the rage analysis is the most pleasing to me.

I hope this helps.

"Tell the truth, but tell it slant" -Emily Dickenson