I think this review - and probably Wineapple's book - misunderstands Dickinson's religious outlook, which I think has, at times, something in common with R.S. Thomas's.
The review is generally better written than most I've read; but, your observation concerning a universal misunderstanding of Dickinson's religious outlook is keenly astute; it does, IMO, compare favourably with that of R. S. Thomas, particularly his later works, one of which, "Kneeling," I quote part of here to underscore what I believe you're suggesting; and, if I am wrong, feel free to correct me:
Moments of great calm, Kneeling before an altar Of wood in a stone church In summer, waiting for the God To speak; the air a staircase For silence; the sun's light Ringing me, as though I acted A great role. And the audiences Still; all that close throng Of spirits waiting, as I, For the message. Prompt me, God; But not yet. When I speak, Though it be you who speak Through me, something is lost. The meaning is in the waiting.
[*swoon*]
". . . The air a staircase / For Silence . . ."
The meaning *is* in the waiting . . .
p.s. I think "Discernment" has something in common with this "meaning, too (and, then, we're all a-Hopkins :))
The review is generally better written than most I've read; but, your observation concerning a universal misunderstanding of Dickinson's religious outlook is keenly astute; it does, IMO, compare favourably with that of R. S. Thomas, particularly his later works, one of which, "Kneeling," I quote part of here to underscore what I believe you're suggesting; and, if I am wrong, feel free to correct me:
ReplyDeleteMoments of great calm,
Kneeling before an altar
Of wood in a stone church
In summer, waiting for the God
To speak; the air a staircase
For silence; the sun's light
Ringing me, as though I acted
A great role. And the audiences
Still; all that close throng
Of spirits waiting, as I,
For the message.
Prompt me, God;
But not yet. When I speak,
Though it be you who speak
Through me, something is lost.
The meaning is in the waiting.
[*swoon*]
". . . The air a staircase / For Silence . . ."
The meaning *is* in the waiting . . .
p.s. I think "Discernment" has something in common with this "meaning, too (and, then, we're all a-Hopkins :))