“I’m nobody! Who are you?” by Emily Dickinson
I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there’s a pair of us — don’t tell!
They’d banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
Lately I have had this poem constantly running through my head. It has been one of my favorites since I first read it in the seventh grade. We had this assignment in which we were to memorize and recite a poem for the class. I made sure to pick a short one; one that would be easy to remember, considering – even at that young age – my memory was not the best. Besides, I was even more shy then than I am now. Less is more, I’m sure I was thinking. As I stated before, I initially chose this poem because it was short and by a well known poet. However, when I contemplated the true meaning of it, my impressionable seventh grade heart was deeply touched. Still to this day, this wonderful short poem strikes a cord with me and brings much joy to my soul.
I have recommended this poem to friends and family often and I am frequently surprised that many of them consider it quite depressing. I had never once considered it might seem as though the speaker is sad and lonely. Within its lines, I always found confidence and pride in being an individual. I was pleasantly surprised when, a month or so ago, I was doing some online research and happened upon an article* which eloquently laid bare the meaning behind it. This article is actually part of a larger work in which the beautiful children’s novel, “Bridge to Terabithia” (by Katherine Paterson), is analyzed; and a portion is compared to Dickinson’s poem. I highly recommend reading this book, by the way. Now that I have plugged for the book, I will continue. This article summed up my feelings about the poem so well and I would like to share a few of my favorite passages.
I really enjoyed the beginning where the author is talking about how people often wish to be popular and part of the “in” crowd.
“… the speaker… readily admits to being an outsider. What’s more, she even seems to like it.”
(I love the response to this statement.)
“Is she crazy? Who would want to be an outsider?”
I am sure many people would be wondering the same thing. Then again, I imagine at least a few would be wondering something quite opposite.
“Think about it for moment. Who would really want to be an insider?
As an outsider, a ‘nobody,’ the speaker is not forced to be ‘public.’ She does not have to face the scrutiny or disapproval of people who are likely to be jealous of her popularity. She does not have to play games, put on an act, or keep trying in order to be somebody. She can be herself and be comfortable.
What’s more, she is not alone.”
I could go quoting this whole thing, but I will let you follow the link to it yourself. I do recommend reading this poem and thinking about the message it presents to you. I hope that someone will be able to find joy and confidence within it as I have.
So, to all of my fellow “nobodies”… well met, my friend.
* here’s a link to the article… just so I’m not accused of plagiarizing.