Going to Heaven!

I don't know when,

Pray do not ask me how,--
Indeed, I'm too astonished

To think of answering you!
Going to heaven!--

How dim it sounds!

And yet it will be done

As sure as flocks go home at night

Unto the shepherd's arm!



Perhaps you're going too!

Who knows?
If you should get there first,

Save just a little place for me

Close to the two I lost!

The smallest "robe" will fit me,

And just a bit of "crown";

For you know we do not mind our dress

When we are going home.



I'm glad I don't believe it,
For it would stop my breath,

And I'd like to look a little more

At such a curious earth!

I am glad they did believe it
Whom I have never found

Since the mighty autumn afternoon

I left them in the ground.

Analysis:

The tone in this work leaves the reader wondering if the author is writing directly about a religious heaven or if she is referring to death in general. As we know the author seems conflicted about her beliefs versus what was acceptable during this time period. One could question the author's sincerity of some of the statements that are made such as, "Going to Heaven!-- How dim it sounds!" this lines seems contradictory when compared to statements made in the second stanza, which shows Dickinson's quick transition from a pessimistic view of heaven (or death) to an optimistic view due to loved ones that have passed.

The first and third stanzas give the allusion that Dickinson is not necessarily devoted to the religious views that are depicted in these stanzas, whereas the second stanza almost tricks the reader to believe that Dickinson is optimistic of a life after death. Dickinson, unknowingly, uses imagery by switching views of heaven instantaneously, for example "Save just a little place for me Close to the two I lost!" this shows a belief in heaven, this belief quickly changes with, "I'm glad I don't believe it, For it would stop my breath." The instant change of her opinion shows her bipolar tendency that appears in many of her other works as well. "Going to Heaven" to me, shows how unreliable Dickinson's works can be due to her bipolar tendencies, she cannot be relied upon for a clear opinion and can easily confuse many readers in the process of them reading her poems.