Some Keep The Sabbath Going To Church Analysis

The poem “Some keep the Sabbath going to Church” by Emily Dickinson is a bright example of a “transcendental” poem, it introduces the differences between the transcendental and puritan ways of worshiping God. By this poem the poetess places in question the idea of church membership. She argues an important message that there is nothing offered by the church that cannot be offered by the nature – “a Bobolink” serves as a “Chorister” and “an Orchard” as “a Dome” (lines #3 and 4). This comparison continues through the first two quatrains of a poem, showing that every important aspect of a church is provided by the nature. Dickinson not only shows that nature is just as good as the church, but also demonstrates that it is better – “I, just wear my Wings” (line #5) - nature presents wings that denote freedom, whereas the church puts one into a strict framework of laws, that should not be broken.

Another important idea is introduced in the first line of the third quatrain, “God preaches, a noted Clergyman” (line # 9). Here the speaker implies that when there are no needless mediators in the act of worship, the interaction with God becomes much stronger, as He becomes the direct Clergyman.

It is noteworthy that the rhyme scheme for each verse is ABCB which is a “Simple 4-line” rhyme. The choice of such a comparatively simple

rhyme scheme underlines that the goal of the poem is not to exercise poetry skills, but to get out the important message. This goal is also achieved by the poetesses attempt to unite the speaker of the poem and the reader by using a pronoun “Our” in the line #8, thus making it easier for the reader to accept “their” idea.
The poem ends with a strong statement that is based on the beginning of the third quatrain, which implies that in the transcendental way of worshiping, the Clergyman is the God himself.

But if the Clergyman is the God, then where are we if not in Heaven? It’s important to notice that the speaker does not say that her way of worshiping is the only right way. She believes that if one follows some other way, it will end in Heaven as well – “Instead of getting to Heaven, at last/I’m going all along.” (lines #11 and 12). It just makes no sense for the speaker why would one want to put off the heavenly experience if it is achievable during the

lifetime?