I’m Nobody Who are you ? - Poem by Emily Dickinson - Summary & Analysis

I’m Nobody Who are you? - Summary

Nobody by Emily Dickison is a very short poem which communicates a daring message.

The poem starts with a very short but very suggestive self introduction followed by a direct question.

The poet speaks to someone, probably to the reader and asks a question. The reader can learn only one side of the conversation whereas the other side of the conversation is made understood.

The speaker introduces himself as “Nobody” and inquires whether the listener is also a “Nobody”.

The next line of the poem is again a response by the speaker. It seems that the listener is also a nobody. The speaker seems to be reassured that there is a partner for him. He expresses his pleasant feeling about this similarity. Further he adds to it by saying that it is not good to tell others about their being nobodies since they would be looked down upon as a result. The speaker gives the listener a piece of advice here.

In the second stanza, the speaker chooses to criticize the characteristics and the lifestyle of the opposite category, the somebodies. The speaker comments on how he feels about being a nobody. His comments suggest that he despises being one.

He thinks that it is very dull and unpleasant to be “Somebody”. He compares being “Somebody” to being a frog who croaks all the time. According to the speaker, if you are “Somebody”, you will be compelled to behave like a frog, which is quite disappointing.

A frog who always croaks all the time is a noisy animal. Usually people get annoyed hearing the continuous sound of frogs. Similarly, it is unpleasant to listen to continuous pompous talks of somebody.

Frogs usually live in a bog which is not considered a pleasant place to live in. Similarly, the speaker criticizes the idea of having to talk about oneself throughout life expecting the admirations of the society which is compared to a bog here.

I’m Nobody Who are you? - Analysis

I’m Nobody! Who are you? is a poem by American poet Emily Dickinson. It is a very short poem made up of only two stanzas of four lines (quatrains). Though the poem is very short and written in a simple language, it has a great depth in it. It provokes the reader to explore a common scenario in a different angle and dig deep in that aspect.

The Plot of the poem I’m Nobody Who are you?

The poem presents only one side of communication of a conversation between two people. The speaker introduces himself as a nobody and finds out that the listener is also a nobody. The speaker then shares his opinion about somebody with the listener.

The speaker enjoys being a nobody and emphasizes how boring it is to be somebody. He criticizes the mundane behaviuor of somebody and shows that every somebody has typically a highly predictable behaviour.

Theme of the poem I’m Nobody Who are you?

This poem looks at the common behaviour of humans as social beings in a different point of view. Every individual is very much concerned about his or her “name” in the society. Here name stands for not just the name from whom you are called, it is also your image in the society.

The poet looks down upon those who consider themselves so high and tries hard to establish an image of themselves in the society by talking about oneself over and over again.

The poet says that it is a worthless exercise to keep on introducing yourself to everyone around you expecting admiration in return.

The poet gets the reader to think about the worthless efforts people make to stand high in a society which appreciates nothing but your “name”.

The poem also suggests many things which are unspoken here.

The above two lines suggest that there is a scope for friendship or intimacy if and only if you are also a nobody. It is clear that the society has a clear cut line for the type called “Nobody” and for others known as “Somebody”.

Infact, the poet clearly shows that the society of the “Somebody” does not allow room for the Nobody. However, the speaker does not wish to lead a life which has no freedom and that he does not enjoy living.

Tone of the poem I’m Nobody Who are you?

The poet uses a conversational tone in this poem which attracts the reader’s interest. The reader also feels that the poet is speaking to the reader which helps to intensely communicate the intended message.

The poem starts with a tone of talking to a stranger and develops into an intimate conversation in the next few lines. Towards the last line of the first stanza, it takes a confidential tone.

The second stanza of the poem takes a cynical or sarcastic tone. The poet brings out how ridiculous he feels about being somebody.

Poetic Techniques of the poem I’m Nobody Who are you?

The poet compares somebody to a frog and the society they live in as bog. The similes and metaphors respectively used here are very effective.

A frog is not usually referred to as a pleasant creature especially for the sound it makes. Similarly, those who talk too much about themselves expecting admiration in return are considered empty headed and are looked down upon.

A bog is also an unpleasant place where no one would wish to spend time. A kind of society which admires the presence of the shallow minded is referred to as a bog.

Use of the word “how’ repetitively in the two consecutive lines of the second stanza, highlights the opinion of the speaker that he despises it.

Further, the poet capitalizes the first letter of “Nobody” and “Somebody” each time they are mentioned in the poem, with the intention of highlighting how each category has been discriminated against by each other.

What is special in this poem is that the party of the “Nobody” is not portrayed as a victim or the oppressed. The tone of the speaker suggests that the “Nobody” is privileged to become “Nobody” whereas “Somebody” are a group of unfortunates. Accordingly, the point of view expressed by the poet is quite the opposite of what we perceive as the general norm in any society of the modern world which is alarming and quite awakening for the reader.