This World is not Conclusion

Despite not being able to prove the existence of spiritual concepts like eternity, human beings assume and pretend a level of understanding they cannot possibly possess. Instead, believers repress their questions and overcompensate for any misgivings with public displays of faith. Some do their best to imitate the life of Jesus: “Men” (Line 10) who have “borne” (Line 10) the “Contempt of Generations” (Line 11) and “Crucifixion” (Line 12), hoping to have publicly “shown” (Line 12) their religious zeal for all to see. But these people, like all others, must cope with unreliable faith, personified as a being that “slips” (Line 13) and “blushes” (Line 14) when anyone sees their momentary lapse. The poem deliberately undercuts the common opinion that extreme suffering is proof of faith and spiritual wisdom, instead suggesting that displays of bravado only hide universally experienced doubt.

Dickinson portrays faith as a figure that quickly dismisses any insecure moment with a “laugh” (Line 13) when alone, but “blushes” (Line 14) with embarrassment if anyone else should “see” (Line 14) them tripping. Through this personified figure, the poem criticizes Christian refusal to reflect on and question belief, for fear that others will see their sometimes lack of certainty. The speaker mockingly represents faith’s desperation as it “plucks at a twig of Evidence” (Line 15) and even seeks spiritual guidance from a “weathervane” (Line 16)—the least reliable marker of direction—demonstrating the absurd efforts of those that are religious to justify their beliefs and conceal their doubts.