Troubled about Many Things by Emily Dickinson
The poem explores themes of anxiety, uncertainty, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The speaker expresses feelings of being overwhelmed by life's complexities and struggles to find solace in a seemingly indifferent universe. The tone is one of introspection and despair, with the speaker questioning their own place within the larger scheme of things.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1844 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Existential · 131 words
First lines
"TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS."
How many times these low feet staggered, / Only the soldered mouth can tell; / Try! can you stir the awful rivet? / Try! can you lift the hasps of steel?
Stroke the cool forehead, hot so often, / Lift, if you can, the listless hair; / Handle the adamantine fingers / Never a thimble more shall wear.
Buzz the dull flies on the chamber window; / Brave shines the sun through the freckled pane; / Fearless the cobweb swings from the ceiling -- / Indolent housewife, in daisies lain!
What this Textopian page supports
Troubled about Many Things is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1844 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1844 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Existential, Symbolism, Modernist
- Length: 131 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
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Similar titles
- Hope by Emily Dickinson
- Following by Emily Dickinson
- The Test by Emily Dickinson
- A Prayer by Emily Dickinson
- Lost Faith by Emily Dickinson
- How Still The Bells In Steeples Stand by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, typical of lyric poetry.
- Existential — Themes of mortality and the human condition are explored, aligning with existential literature.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic language and imagery to convey deeper meanings is evident.
Tags
Poetry · Philosophy · Existentialism · Mortality · Spirituality · Faith · Doubt · Uncertainty · Melancholy · Sorrow · Longing · Yearning