The Soul selects her own Society: Structure & Language Techniques

Poem Analysis: “The Soul selects her own Society”

Sure to evoke thought-provoking discussion in coursework, this exceptional poem from Emily Dickinson is brimming with plot and structural language techniques that demand examination.

Structure and Language Techniques

An unconventional quatrain structure: Dickinson’s distinct style abounds here with each stanza presenting a 6-8-6-6 syllable pattern.
Use of the dash: Consistent with her unique style, Dickinson uses dashes to create pauses or abrupt shifts in thought. This conveys an intense, reflective mood.
Inverted syntax: The poet often starts sentences with the object or the verb for emphasis. For example, the poem opens with, “The Soul selects…” instead of “The soul makes a selection…” This highlights important elements by placing them first in the line.
Capitalization: Dickinson’s idiosyncratic use of capital letters to signify importance is once again at play here. Consider the use of “Society” and “Soul”, both given capitalization to emphasize their significance.

Themes and Linking Poems

Isolation and Individuality: This theme is common in Emily Dickinson’s poetry and reflects her own personal experiences. In “The Soul selects her own Society,” the soul’s choosing of just one society out of an ‘ample nation’ might suggest the poet’s own selective nature.
Death and the Afterlife: Similar themes present themselves in the poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” where Dickinson discusses her perception of death and the journey of the soul.
The journey of the soul: This is a recurring theme in Dickinson’s poetry and connects this poem to others like “I Heard a Fly Buzz – When I Died” where Dickinson explores the soul leaving the body at the point of death.

Key Quotes

“There’s something quieter than sleep Within this inner room!”

this quote suggests the tranquility and peace of a soul at rest after having made its selection.

“But we, unaccustomed to courage exiles from,”

This quote speaks to the status of the soul before the selection takes place, perhaps indicating the uncertainty it faces.

Poet and Context

Isolation: Dickinson lived much of her life in isolation, barely leaving her father’s house. This personal experience is reflected in her poetry.
Puritanism: Dickinson’s family was rooted in Puritanism which emphasized the individual relationship with God. This could be why she often talks about the soul and spiritual journeys.
Quiet rebellion: Her poetry often quietly subverts societal and religious norms of the era. This subtle resistance is again seen in ‘The Soul selects her own Society’ where the soul determines its own path, highlighting individuality and free will.