Houses—so The Wise Men Tell Me— Poem by Emily Dickinson

Houses—so The Wise Men Tell Me—

Rating: 4.9


"Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me—
"Mansions"! Mansions must be warm!
Mansions cannot let the tears in,
Mansions must exclude the storm!

"Many Mansions," by "his Father,"
I don't know him; snugly built!
Could the Children find the way there—
Some, would even trudge tonight!

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Eric Ericson 26 November 2014

Another fascinating puzzle. The first four lines describe what a mansion is. Line 5 is a reference to a Biblical passage; in my Father's house there are many mansions Line 6a I do not know him Is she saying that she is not a christian? A very bold statement for someone in Victorian America. Lines 7&8 Could the Children find the way there— Some, would even trudge tonight! If we really believe in heaven we should commit suicide? How very odd a thought for sweet Emily

5 7 Reply

A ever slight pour of the ethereal, here

4 5 Reply
Fer Basbas 28 June 2015

houses are for shelter, protection, but it is not just houses she proposes but mansions. warm, a haven. the next stanza slides into that thought - houses as haven then places in heaven. strong, cozy abodes. Many mansions, in quotes: these are concepts alien to the narrator/poet as are his Father, right - biblical passages referring to heaven; she takes pains to emphasize this. yet inspite of this estrangement, she thinks Children, souls, would want to go there, quickly - tonight! The trip is to an uncertain place, something she does not really believe in on a certain level.

5 3 Reply
Ernest Makuakua 19 December 2015

Many Mansions, by his Father, I don't know him; snugly built! Could the Children find the way there— Some, would even trudge tonight BEAUTIFUL PIECE

4 4 Reply
Vanidia Ogega 15 January 2021

I have always loved her short and precise poems.They make you think about everyday things and some of the big issues we might not want to address.

1 0 Reply
ummi maridhia 29 January 2018

I love this piece of art just what I expected

0 2 Reply
Jan Coyne 10 December 2017

Emily is speaking of heavenly mansions. It reflects her questions regarding her religious views.

1 3 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 26 September 2017

Mansions cannot let the tears in, Mansions must exclude the storm! Mansions though larger than houses may not render peace. Thanks poet for the poem.

4 3 Reply
M Asim Nehal 25 December 2016

These houses and mansions are dwelling place and only peace can make it a better living place.

1 4 Reply
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Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

Amherst / Massachusetts
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