"Montaigne" by Emily Dickinson: A Poetic Reflection on Freedom and Simplicity
Emily Dickinson and Michel de Montaigne
Emily Dickinson, born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her life, characterized by voluntary isolation, allowed her to dedicate herself entirely to writing. Dickinson was fascinated by great thinkers and philosophers, including Michel de Montaigne, the French philosopher known for his introspective essays on the human condition.The Poetry "Montaigne"
The poem "Montaigne" by Emily Dickinson pays homage to the French philosopher and reflects on the theme of freedom through the image of a small stone. Here is the text of the poem:How happy is the little Stone
That rambles in the Road alone,
And doesn't care about Careers
And Exigencies never fears—
Whose Coat of elemental Brown
A passing Universe put on,
And independent as the Sun
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute Decree
In casual simplicity—
Analysis of Poetry
Main themes- Freedom and Autonomy: Dickinson celebrates the stone as a symbol of freedom and independence. The stone, free from worries and social pressures, represents a state of pure and simple existence.
- Natural Simplicity: The stone, with its "Coat of elemental Brown", symbolizes a life in harmony with nature, free of unnecessary artifice and complexity.
- Indifference to Social Conventions: Stone does not care about "Careers" or "Exigencies", suggesting a life lived authentically and without conforming to social expectations.