“Arcturus” is His Other Name

The constant progression of science will always change the classifications and meanings of things we grow to feel comfortable with. Many people find this change uncomfortable, and that it may happen too often to keep up with. This is the struggle that I believe Dickinson is portraying as she goes through these things in her everyday life and how they are reclassified due to the process of science. First, the star she knew has a proper name, “Arcturus.” What she thought was a worm was classified as a centipede by a passing scientist. She has similar examples with a flower and a butterfly that became further identified into classes. Even the place where she thought was heaven, straight up in the sky, was identified as “zenith” and it was all mapped out and diagramed. Because of these discoveries it leaves the narrator wondering if her idea of heaven has been changed, and hopefully she’s not out of the loop about it when she gets there.

 

J70 – “Arcturus” is his other name — By Emily Dickinson

“Arcturus” is his other name —
I’d rather call him “Star.”
It’s very mean of Science
To go and interfere!
I slew a worm the other day —
A “Savan” passing by
Murmured “Resurgam” — “Centipede”!
“Oh Lord — how frail are we”!
I pull a flower from the woods —
A monster with a glass
Computes the stamens in a breath —
And has her in a “class”!
Whereas I took the Butterfly
Aforetime in my hat —
He sits erect in “Cabinets” —
The Clover bells forgot.
What once was “Heaven”
Is “Zenith” now —
Where I proposed to go
When Time’s brief masquerade was done
Is mapped and charted too.
What if the poles sh’d frisk about
And stand upon their heads!
I hope I’m ready for “the worst” —
Whatever prank betides!
Perhaps the “Kingdom of Heaven’s” changed —
I hope the “Children” there
Wont be “new fashioned” when I come —
And laugh at me — and stare —
I hope the Father in the skies
Will lift his little girl —
Old fashioned — naughty — everything —
Over the stile of “Pearl”.