Reflection Blog - Some Keep the Sabbath

"Some Keep the Sabbath" by Emily Dickinson is an odd poem that talks about going to church at home. Church was seen as a very holy and sacred thing back in Dickinson's day, so for the author to rebel against going is rather peculiar. The speaker says she will be just fine by going to church on her own in her own home. Local nature, such as birds orchards, do just fine for the speaker. Instead of needing a chorister, the speaker says she has a "bobolink" that will do just fine in replacing the choir (Dickinson). For the dome, a simple orchard presents itself, revealing natural beauty instead of man-made structures. The individual speaking in the poem might feel that the church has become too materialistic and fails to see the beauty God presented on the earth.

When one is at home, they feel secure and are able to see and relate to their surroundings. Going to church often requires dressing in one's "Sunday best" but for the speaker, forgetting the surplice and just wearing her "wings" is far more spiritual (Dickinson). Dickinson's spirituality is demonstrated in this poem because it shows how she really feels about the Church and her own stance on it. She feels as if it is becoming too mainstream, and by holding her own services in the familiar setting of her humble abode, she can personally connect herself with God and further her spiritual walk in her own foresight.

The symbols Dickinson portrays in this poem is by far the highlight of the short work of art. In the first stanza, bobolink and the orchard replace what reformed churches valued as sacred and holy. Dickinson uses these natural occurrences to show her love for nature. This is further demonstrated in the second stanza. Instead of using a brass bell to signify church service, the speaker (inferred in this poem as being Dickinson) uses her "own little sexton" to call upon the holy hour (Dickinson). This is important to analyze as yet another natural re occurrence that highly portrays the authors writing style and embodiment.

The very last stanza of the poem is by far the most enduring and important of the poem. "God preaches' - a noted clergyman speaks," (Dickinson). As the second spiritual reformation came and left in society, the church enthralled itself with notorious speakers claiming to speak the true world of God and whatnot. Dickinson, aspiring to make it to heaven quickly, knows that the word of God is most influential coming from the bible (or God himself) itself.

Overall, although short and seemingly simple, "Some Keep the Sabbath" magnifies and embodies the importance of spirituality through Dickinson herself. She shows her need for a more cleansed and holy walk with the Lord in her natural and unorthodox ways. This type of writing sets her aside from other authors during the time period because it dealt with a subject-matter (the Church) that some were afraid to tamper with or alter. This poem, along with her other works, continues to influence generations and society as time goes on.

Dickinson, Emily. "Some Keep the Sabbath." 57. “Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church.” Part Two: Nature. Dickinson, Emily. 1924. Complete Poems. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.