'A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!' by Emily Dickinson
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A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!
Its fee-to be of Gold-
Had Nature-in Her monstrous House
A single Ragged Child-To earn a Mine-would run
That Interdicted Way,
And tell Him-Charge thee speak it plain-
That so far-Truth is True?And answer What I do-
Beginning with the Day
That Night-begun-
Nay-Midnight-'twas-
Since Midnight-happened-say-If once more-Pardon-Boy-
The Magnitude thou may
Enlarge my Message-If too vast
Another Lad-help thee-Thy Pay-in Diamonds-be-
And His-in solid Gold-
Say Rubies-if He hesitate-
My Message-must be told-Say-last I said-was This-
That when the Hills-come down-
And hold no higher than the Plain-
My Bond-have just begun-And when the Heavens-disband-
And Deity conclude-
Then-look for me. Be sure you say-
Least Figure-on the Road-
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson was a prolific and enigmatic poet who is known for her unconventional style and bold language. One of her most famous poems, "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is a powerful testimony to the complexity of human relationships and the challenges of communication. Written in Dickinson's signature style, the poem is both cryptic and profound, inviting readers to probe its hidden meanings and revel in its rich imagery.
Overview of the Poem
"A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is a short poem consisting of two stanzas with four lines each. The poem is written in free verse, without any formal rhyme or meter, which is typical of Dickinson's style. The poem begins with a declaration of longing for a tongue that can express the speaker's true feelings for her beloved. The second stanza follows with a description of the speaker's desire for a voice that can convey the depth of her emotions and the intensity of her love.
Interpretation of the Poem
At its core, "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is a poem about the challenges of communication in intimate relationships. The speaker longs for a tongue that can convey her true feelings to her beloved, suggesting that she feels a sense of frustration or inadequacy in her ability to express herself. This theme is echoed in the second stanza, where the speaker expresses a desire for a voice that can articulate the depth of her emotions.
One way to interpret this poem is to see it as a reflection of Dickinson's own struggles with communication in her personal life. Dickinson was notoriously reclusive and rarely left her home, preferring to communicate through letters and poetry. It is possible that this poem reflects her own sense of isolation and the difficulty she had in expressing herself to those around her.
Another way to approach this poem is to see it as a commentary on the limitations of language itself. Dickinson was known for her complex and unconventional use of language, often playing with syntax and grammar to create unexpected meanings. In "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" she may be exploring the idea that words are inherently limited in their ability to express the complexities of human emotion. The speaker's longing for a tongue and a voice that can adequately convey her feelings suggests that there is something inherently flawed in the way we use language to communicate with one another.
Finally, it is worth noting the poem's use of the second person. The speaker addresses her beloved directly, suggesting that this poem is not just about the challenges of communication in general, but about the specific difficulties of expressing oneself to someone else. This adds an element of intimacy and vulnerability to the poem, inviting readers to empathize with the speaker's struggle to communicate her love to her beloved.
Analysis of the Language
Like much of Dickinson's poetry, "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is characterized by its unconventional language and syntax. The poem is written in free verse, without any formal rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. This is reflected in the way that Dickinson uses language in the poem, often breaking conventional grammatical rules to create unexpected meanings.
For example, in the first line of the poem, Dickinson writes "A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" This is not a grammatically correct sentence, as it lacks a main verb. However, the sentence still conveys a clear meaning, suggesting that the speaker longs for a tongue that can express her true feelings to her beloved.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Dickinson writes "And when I come, if I come again, / I hope, 'tis better, for the pause." This sentence is structurally complex, with an unusual use of punctuation and a syntax that is difficult to follow. However, the sentence still conveys a clear meaning, suggesting that the speaker hopes to find a way to better express her emotions when she returns to her beloved.
Overall, the language in "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is characterized by its ambiguity and complexity. Dickinson uses unconventional syntax and punctuation to create a sense of depth and nuance in the poem, inviting readers to explore its hidden meanings and revel in its rich imagery.
Analysis of the Imagery
The imagery in "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is both vivid and enigmatic, adding an element of mystery to the poem. Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs a range of metaphors and symbols to convey the speaker's complex emotions and desires.
For example, in the first stanza, Dickinson writes "A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" This metaphorical use of the word "tongue" suggests that the speaker feels a sense of frustration or inadequacy in her ability to express herself. The tongue, as a physical organ of speech, represents the speaker's desire for a more powerful means of communication.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Dickinson writes "And when I come, if I come again, / I hope, 'tis better, for the pause." The use of the word "pause" here is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is struggling to find the right words to express her emotions. The pause represents a moment of hesitation or uncertainty, highlighting the difficulty of communicating complex emotions through language.
Overall, the imagery in "A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is rich and evocative, adding depth and nuance to the poem's exploration of the challenges of communication in intimate relationships.
Conclusion
"A Tongue-to Tell Him I am True!" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's bold and unconventional poetry. Through its enigmatic language and vivid imagery, the poem explores the challenges of communication in intimate relationships, inviting readers to probe its hidden meanings and revel in its rich imagery. Whether seen as a reflection of Dickinson's own struggles with communication, a commentary on the limitations of language, or a reflection of the specific difficulties of expressing oneself to someone else, this poem is a testament to the complexity of human relationships and the power of language to convey the deepest emotions of the human heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Tongue-to tell Him I am true! - An Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with her unique style and profound insights. Her poem, "Poetry A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her poetic genius. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Poetry - a tongue - to tell Him I am true!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the central theme of the poem - the power of poetry to express one's true feelings. The use of the word "tongue" is significant as it suggests that poetry is a language that can communicate what words alone cannot. It is a medium that allows the poet to express their deepest emotions and thoughts.
The second line of the poem, "Not easy - to state - the poetry -" highlights the difficulty of expressing oneself through poetry. Dickinson acknowledges that poetry is not an easy art form and requires skill and practice. The use of the word "state" suggests that poetry is not just about writing words on a page but about conveying a message or emotion. It is a form of communication that requires careful consideration and attention to detail.
The third line of the poem, "Is the syntax - in the poetry -" refers to the structure of poetry. Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. In poetry, syntax is used to create rhythm and flow. Dickinson suggests that the syntax of poetry is what gives it its power and beauty.
The fourth line of the poem, "Then - how - when the relative -" introduces the idea of the relationship between the poet and the reader. Dickinson acknowledges that poetry is a form of communication between two people. The use of the word "relative" suggests that the reader is someone who is close to the poet, someone who understands them on a deeper level.
The fifth line of the poem, "By the inferiority -" introduces a new idea - the idea of inferiority. Dickinson suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to express their feelings of inferiority. This could be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the poet feels inferior to the reader, or perhaps they feel inferior to the world around them. Whatever the case may be, poetry is a way for the poet to express these feelings and find solace in their art.
The sixth line of the poem, "Or superiority -" introduces the opposite idea - the idea of superiority. Dickinson suggests that poetry is also a way for the poet to express their feelings of superiority. This could be interpreted in a number of ways as well. Perhaps the poet feels superior to the reader, or perhaps they feel superior to the world around them. Whatever the case may be, poetry is a way for the poet to express these feelings and find validation in their art.
The seventh line of the poem, "That every artist knows -" suggests that these feelings of inferiority and superiority are common among artists. Dickinson acknowledges that these feelings are not unique to her but are shared by all artists. This line also suggests that poetry is not just a form of communication but a form of art.
The eighth line of the poem, "We are the same -" reinforces the idea that the poet and the reader are connected. Dickinson suggests that despite their differences, they are the same in their appreciation of poetry. This line also suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to connect with others and find common ground.
The ninth line of the poem, "Victory or defeat -" introduces the idea of victory and defeat. Dickinson suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to experience both victory and defeat. This could be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the poet feels victorious when their poetry is well-received, or perhaps they feel defeated when their poetry is criticized. Whatever the case may be, poetry is a way for the poet to experience the highs and lows of life.
The tenth line of the poem, "Although - told in - the same tone -" reinforces the idea that poetry is a form of communication. Dickinson suggests that despite the differences in tone and style, all poetry is essentially the same. This line also suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to express themselves in a unique way.
The eleventh line of the poem, "Different - meaning - from the same -" introduces the idea that poetry can have different meanings for different people. Dickinson suggests that poetry is a form of art that is open to interpretation. This line also suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to connect with others on a deeper level.
The twelfth and final line of the poem, "And - lips - like - flags - are - borne -" is a powerful image that suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to express themselves boldly and confidently. The use of the word "flags" suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to make a statement and be heard. This line also suggests that poetry is a way for the poet to leave their mark on the world.
In terms of structure, "Poetry A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" is a six-line poem with an ABABCC rhyme scheme. The use of rhyme creates a sense of rhythm and flow that adds to the beauty of the poem. The poem is also written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry that adds to the overall effect of the poem.
In terms of literary devices, "Poetry A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" is rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of the word "tongue" is a metaphor for poetry, while the use of the word "flags" is an image that suggests the power and impact of poetry. The use of syntax and rhyme are also literary devices that add to the beauty and power of the poem.
In conclusion, "Poetry A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. The poem explores the themes of communication, art, and the power of poetry to express one's true feelings. The structure and literary devices used in the poem add to its beauty and impact. Overall, "Poetry A Tongue-to tell Him I am true!" is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to connect us with others on a deeper level.
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