By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘On a Columnar Self’ by Emily Dickinson does something which Emily Dickinson frequently does so well: it takes an abstract idea (the concept of the self) and renders it concrete and vivid, through a well-chosen metaphor.
On a Columnar Self—
How ample to rely
In Tumult—or Extremity—
How good the Certainty
That Lever cannot pry—
And Wedge cannot divide
Conviction—That Granitic Base—
Though None be on our Side—
Suffice Us—for a Crowd—
Ourself—and Rectitude—
And that Assembly—not far off
From furthest Spirit—God—