Journal #41: Dickinson Poem

The poem "My Country Need Not Change her Gown" by Emily Dickinson is very simple and to the point.

The literal interpretation of this poem does not make a lot of sense, because countries do not wear gowns. But the more symbolic interpretation makes much more sense and seems to convey a message with more depth and meaning behind it. Dickinson is saying that the ways of the country should not change too much, because ever since the colonies began winning the war against British oppression, things had been working out fairly well. She also says that Great Britain does not approve of this, and that they are a little bitter about the thirteen colonies breaking away from the British empire and becoming the United States of America. The success and patriotic feel of America taunted the British, showing them that they could prosper and become a great country on their own.

Basically, the poem says that America has become a great country by its own means and that should not change for any reason. The British were defeated at Lexington and that was when America first started to show how strong they were. This poem does not have a lot of connections to religion or to nature, but was more about patriotism. Because of the patriotic tones of the poem, it can also relate to some of Walt Whitman's works as well. He was very devoted to President Lincoln and to the United States of America, and Dickinson seems very loyal to the country as well when she says that the United States is great and she doesn't want it to change.