"Faith" is a fine invention When Gentlemen can see--
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.
For being so concise, Emily Dickinson's poem is packed with a message. First, let's assess the prose meaning--general facts--of the poem. In the short four line stanza, Dickinson makes the inference that mankind accepts the idea of faith as long there is tangible evidence involved (Microscopes). Once problems in the invisible realm occur (Faith), man reverts back to his own reason and understanding for answers. Furthurmore, Dickinson is describing humanity's tendency to rely upon knowledge and resources instead of an invisible God. While man can acknowledge divine existence, he becomes skeptical and panicky when a situation's outcome is out of his own range of influence.
And now for the prose meaning. How do I feel as I read "Faith" is a fine invention? And what makes me feel that way? First, the melodic rhyme is worth noting. I found it somewhat ironic that a poem contemplating the psyche of man would 'bounce' with such a carefree rhyme. That's just it-- it IS ironic. The cadence of the poem, if anything, increases the irony of Dickinson's point. I interpret the rhyme to demonstrate the presence of man's folly in the poem. In addition to the rhyme, Dickinson characterizes faith as a "fine invention." Faith, as described by Dickinson, is produced by man. I also found it interesting that the word faith is in quotes. Both of these portrayals of the word faith suggest that man has taken a holy and untouchable concept and reduced it to a mere word of science. Once again, Dickinson illustrates the overwhelming and consumptive presence of man's thought in an extremely uncomprehensible and intentionally difficult subject. "Faith" loses its definition when man tries to define it. Dickinson furthers her point on the arrogance and seeming self-sufficience of man by her description of reason. She concludes the poem by stating that "Microscopes are prudent.'' Considering the simplicity of the rest of the poem, prudent seems to embody the complexity of man's reason. Instead of saying 'practical' or 'wise,' Dickinson chooses the word prudent to reveal the intelligence of humanity, but the moral of her poem refutes the worth of this intelligence. Overwhelmingly, "Faith" is a fine invention is a 'bouncy' poem riddled with the irony of man's intelligence. Yes, it is concise, but maybe a lengthened poem filled with impossibly large words would detract from her simple message: man's intellect defeats the purpose of faith.
CM++
ReplyDelete"While man can acknowledge divine existence, he becomes skeptical and panicky when a situation's outcome is out of his own range of influence."
-- A very true occurrence, from what I've observed. It's incredibly difficult to surrender control...!
Careful of verbosity-- "Once again, Dickinson illustrates the overwhelming and consumptive presence of man's thought in an extremely uncomprehensible and intentionally difficult subject." Remember-- "brevity is the soul of wit" (according to the long-winded Polonius :). Short and concise is always better-- especially when you've got something powerful to say.
I love your notes on the cadence-- I picture shy Emily Dickinson almost dropping this under her breath, like a sugar cube into a tea-cup, when hearing blustery men discuss theology in the parlor.
I see this poem as a bit of a satire though-- the fact that she puts "Faith" in quotes implies she doubts its very existence in the first place, which is then reinforced when she describes it as an invention. This poem would seem to mock faith, no? It's clear that Dickinson had a very real Christian faith from some of her other poems-- what mood might she have been in when writing this one? Are these moods we encounter in our own faith walks? (I know I've felt this way before, even though I believe wholeheartedly in the reality of our Lord!)
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