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Emily DickinsonA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
“We never know how high we are” allows for multiple interpretations. In one reading, the theme is humility. Humans don’t know how high they are because they don’t tend to think highly of themselves. They are (or should be) meek and self-effacing until the moment arrives when they have to act courageously. A fair amount of humans won’t be called or put in heroic situations. If every human was a hero, it “would be a daily thing” (Line 6), and heroism would lose its exceptional stature. It’s positive that “Cubits warp” (Line 7) people. The cubits keep people in check and in the role the “plan” (Line 3) assigned them. This is not resignation or servility but awareness. Humans are conscious of the drawbacks of trying to be something they’re not, like a king. They know the terrifying power of rulers. It’s better to be modest than status-seeking or tyrannical.
A second interpretation centers on the theme of cowardice. More humans would be heroes if they weren’t scared of their potential and didn’t let cubits warp them. Warping manipulates nature and turns it into something else; cubits shouldn’t prevent humans from rising, touching the skies, and ascending to the level of heroes and kings.
By Emily Dickinson
A Bird, came down the Walk
A Bird, came down the Walk
Emily Dickinson
A Clock stopped—
A Clock stopped—
Emily Dickinson
After great pain, a formal feeling comes
After great pain, a formal feeling comes
Emily Dickinson
A narrow Fellow in the Grass (1096)
A narrow Fellow in the Grass (1096)
Emily Dickinson
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
Emily Dickinson
"Faith" is a fine invention
"Faith" is a fine invention
Emily Dickinson
Fame Is a Fickle Food (1702)
Fame Is a Fickle Food (1702)
Emily Dickinson
Hope is a strange invention
Hope is a strange invention
Emily Dickinson
"Hope" Is the Thing with Feathers
"Hope" Is the Thing with Feathers
Emily Dickinson
I Can Wade Grief
I Can Wade Grief
Emily Dickinson
I Felt a Cleaving in my Mind
I Felt a Cleaving in my Mind
Emily Dickinson
I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain
I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain
Emily Dickinson
If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking
If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking
Emily Dickinson
If I should die
If I should die
Emily Dickinson
If you were coming in the fall
If you were coming in the fall
Emily Dickinson
I heard a Fly buzz — when I died
I heard a Fly buzz — when I died
Emily Dickinson
I'm Nobody! Who Are You?
I'm Nobody! Who Are You?
Emily Dickinson
Much Madness is divinest Sense—
Much Madness is divinest Sense—
Emily Dickinson
Success Is Counted Sweetest
Success Is Counted Sweetest
Emily Dickinson
Tell all the truth but tell it slant
Tell all the truth but tell it slant
Emily Dickinson