Painting by Gustave Doré
Introduction
In A Little East of Jordan we see Emily Dickinson’s portrayal of the Genesis story, in which Jacob wrestles with God throughout the night, demanding to be blessed. This particular passage of the Bible resonated with Dickinson as upon approaching her death she quotes in a letter “Audacity of Bliss, said Jacob to the Angel “I will not let thee go except I bless thee”- Pugilist and Poet, Jacob was correct-”
Dickinson was brought up in a Calvinist household, however eventually decided not to become a full member of the church, and ultimately stopped attending church. Often using poetry to vent her opinions on religion, A little east of Jordan is just one example of this. Focusing on this specific scene from Genesis communicates Dickinson’s battle with God as she uses Jacob as an embodiment of herself.
There are three edited editions of this poem, each with their subtle differences, therefore altering the original meaning of Dickinson’s work. In the Johnson edition, published in 1955, the editor has used ‘Peniel hills among’, as opposed to the 1998 Franklin addition that used ‘Peniel hills beyond’. With ‘Peniel’ translating to mean ‘the face of God’, the individual versions create opposing relationships with religion. Franklin creates a sense of distance between Jacob and God as the ‘Peniel hills’ are ‘beyond’ Jacob’s grasp, granting him unworthy to sit amongst the hierarchy of heaven. However, as it appears that Jacob has won the battle, it could be that the ‘Peniel hills’ are below, and ‘beyond’ Jacobs newfound position, ranking him above the prestige of God. Opposingly, Johnsons version shortens the distance between Jacob and God, placing him ‘among’ the ‘face of God’ and therefore crowning him as a dignitary in God’s eyes. Despite being a small change between the two versions, it drastically alters the relationship between human and deity, therefore transforming the interpretations of the poem.
Dickinson was brought up in a Calvinist household, however eventually decided not to become a full member of the church, and ultimately stopped attending church. Often using poetry to vent her opinions on religion, A little east of Jordan is just one example of this. Focusing on this specific scene from Genesis communicates Dickinson’s battle with God as she uses Jacob as an embodiment of herself.
There are three edited editions of this poem, each with their subtle differences, therefore altering the original meaning of Dickinson’s work. In the Johnson edition, published in 1955, the editor has used ‘Peniel hills among’, as opposed to the 1998 Franklin addition that used ‘Peniel hills beyond’. With ‘Peniel’ translating to mean ‘the face of God’, the individual versions create opposing relationships with religion. Franklin creates a sense of distance between Jacob and God as the ‘Peniel hills’ are ‘beyond’ Jacob’s grasp, granting him unworthy to sit amongst the hierarchy of heaven. However, as it appears that Jacob has won the battle, it could be that the ‘Peniel hills’ are below, and ‘beyond’ Jacobs newfound position, ranking him above the prestige of God. Opposingly, Johnsons version shortens the distance between Jacob and God, placing him ‘among’ the ‘face of God’ and therefore crowning him as a dignitary in God’s eyes. Despite being a small change between the two versions, it drastically alters the relationship between human and deity, therefore transforming the interpretations of the poem.
MaNuscript
F145A A little over Jordan
A little over Jordan,
As Genesis record,
An Angel and a Wrestler
Did wrestle long and hard.
Till, morning touching mountain,
And Jacob waxing strong,
The Angel begged permission
To breakfast and return.
Not so, quoth wily Jacob
And girt his loins anew,
"Until thou bless me, stranger!"
The which acceded to:
Light swung the silver fleeces
Peniel hills among,
And the astonished Wrestler
Found he had worsted God!
As Genesis record,
An Angel and a Wrestler
Did wrestle long and hard.
Till, morning touching mountain,
And Jacob waxing strong,
The Angel begged permission
To breakfast and return.
Not so, quoth wily Jacob
And girt his loins anew,
"Until thou bless me, stranger!"
The which acceded to:
Light swung the silver fleeces
Peniel hills among,
And the astonished Wrestler
Found he had worsted God!
J59 A little East of Jordan,
A little East of Jordan,
Evangelists record,
A Gymnast and an Angel
Did wrestle long and hard --
Till morning touching mountain --
And Jacob, waxing strong,
The Angel begged permission
To Breakfast -- to return --
Not so, said cunning Jacob!
"I will not let thee go
Except thou bless me" -- [Signor] Stranger!
The which acceded to --
Light swung the silver fleeces
"Peniel" Hills beyond,
And the bewildered Gymnast
Found he had worsted God!
Evangelists record,
A Gymnast and an Angel
Did wrestle long and hard --
Till morning touching mountain --
And Jacob, waxing strong,
The Angel begged permission
To Breakfast -- to return --
Not so, said cunning Jacob!
"I will not let thee go
Except thou bless me" -- [Signor] Stranger!
The which acceded to --
Light swung the silver fleeces
"Peniel" Hills beyond,
And the bewildered Gymnast
Found he had worsted God!