Going to Heaven!: Plot

The speaker of this poem is considering the concept of going to Heaven, but is uncertain about whether she wants to go immediately.
She reflects on the idea that those who are in Heaven may miss out on the beauty of the Earth.
Towards the end of the poem, the speaker acknowledges her limited understanding of Heaven and expresses a hope to learn more upon death.

Going to Heaven!: Structure & Language Techniques

The poem follows irregular rhyme and meter, typical of Dickinson’s style, which might symbolize the uncertainty and unpredictability of death and the afterlife.
Dickinson’s uses dashes to create pauses which may reflect on the speaker’s hesitation or contemplation.
Dickinson employs paradox in the line “I’m glad I don’t believe it, for it would stop my breath”, expressing the speaker’s fear and apprehension about heaven and the unknown.

The theme of death and the afterlife is central to this poem as well as many others in Dickinson’s oeuvre such as “Because I could not stop for Death”.
The theme of nature and its beauty is contrasted with the unknown splendors of Heaven, similar to themes seen in “A Bird came down the Walk”.

“Going to Heaven!” - This repeated phrase that begins the poem is declarative, creating a powerful focus on the concept of the afterlife.
“I’m glad I don’t believe it” - Reflects Dickinson’s oscillation between skepticism and belief in the existence of Heaven.

Born in 1830, Emily Dickinson lived much of her life in reclusive isolation in Amherst, Massachusetts. This poem reflects recurrent themes in her work - death, the afterlife, and the natural world.
Dickinson’s religious upbringing and her ongoing struggle with faith are contextually important to understanding this poem. Despite being raised in a devout household, Dickinson herself often questioned religious teachings, a skepticism that is reflected in her poetry.
Often Dickinson’s work was published posthumously and without her prior consent, leading to many interpretations about the themes she addressed.