'"Arcturus" is his other name' by Emily Dickinson
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"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 "Savant" 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 should 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 Won't 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—naught—everything—
Over the stile of "Pearl."
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Arcturus" is his other name by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever looked up at the sky and marveled at the stars? Have you ever wondered about their names and meanings? Emily Dickinson's poem "Arcturus" is his other name delves into one such star, Arcturus, and its significance in the universe. This classic poem is a lyrical interpretation of the star's beauty, majesty, and mystery, and its place in the cosmos.
The Poem
Before we delve into the interpretation and literary criticism of the poem, let's read the poem in its entirety.
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 Savory worm went he — And spewed his guts acrost my feet — So I sued him — and he me.
Yet — forgive me, Arcturus — Perhaps I was too bold! Was I impudent, dear genius, That you should think to hold A Worm within your honor, Whose Angel’s feasts had he, Would sit down smiling and devour, Then wriggle ecstasy!
Literary Criticism
At first glance, "Arcturus" is his other name appears to be a simple poem about a star. However, a closer reading reveals a deeper layer of meaning, symbolism, and literary devices.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its tone. The speaker's tone is light, sarcastic, and impertinent. The poem begins with the speaker stating that she'd rather call Arcturus a star than use its other name, which is a scientific one. This statement sets the tone for the whole poem, as the speaker takes a playful jab at science and its interference in the natural world.
The second stanza of the poem takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes killing a worm and being sued by it. This sudden shift in tone is jarring and makes the reader wonder about the connection between the two stanzas. Is there a connection between the worm and the star? Or is it just a random thought inserted by the speaker?
As the poem progresses, the speaker addresses Arcturus directly, asking for forgiveness for being too bold. This shift in tone again makes the reader wonder about the connection between the speaker and the star. Is the speaker an astronomer or a lover of the stars? Or is she just a curious observer who feels a connection to the star?
The final stanza of the poem is the most enigmatic, as the speaker addresses Arcturus as a genius and questions whether she was impudent in her previous address. The speaker then talks about a worm that had angel's feasts and would sit down smiling and devour, then wriggle with ecstasy. This description is a metaphorical one, as the worm represents something that is small and insignificant, yet capable of great pleasure and joy.
Interpretation
Now that we've examined the literary devices used in the poem let's delve into its meaning and interpretation.
The title of the poem, "Arcturus" is his other name, is significant in that it sets the stage for the poem's theme of identity and naming. Arcturus is a star that has been named by science, but the speaker prefers to call it a star. This preference for a more basic and elemental name can be seen as a rejection of science's attempts to categorize and understand the natural world.
The killing of the worm in the second stanza can be seen as a metaphor for the destruction of the natural world by humans. The speaker's decision to sue the worm after it spewed its guts on her feet can be seen as a representation of our tendency to blame the natural world for our own actions.
The third stanza of the poem sees the speaker addressing Arcturus directly, asking for forgiveness for being too bold. This can be interpreted as a representation of our desire to connect with the natural world on a deeper level. The speaker's admission that she may have been impudent suggests a sense of humility and respect for the star's power and majesty.
The final stanza of the poem is the most enigmatic and can be interpreted in a number of ways. The description of the worm as having angel's feasts and wriggling with ecstasy can be seen as a metaphor for the joy and pleasure that can be found in the natural world. The speaker's desire to connect with Arcturus can be seen as a representation of our own desire to connect with the larger universe and find meaning in our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Arcturus" is his other name is a classic poem that delves into the beauty, majesty, and mystery of the star Arcturus. The poem's tone is light, sarcastic, and impertinent, and its literary devices include metaphors, symbolism, and shifts in tone. The poem's theme of identity, naming, and our relationship with the natural world is timeless and continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Arcturus is His Other Name: A Poetic Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing, which often explores themes of nature, death, and spirituality. Her poem "Arcturus is His Other Name" is a prime example of her exceptional talent, as it beautifully captures the essence of the night sky and the stars that adorn it.
The poem begins with the line "Arcturus is his other name," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Arcturus, a bright star in the northern hemisphere, is often associated with the arrival of spring and the changing of seasons. Dickinson's use of this star as a symbol is significant, as it represents the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.
The second line of the poem, "I'd rather call him star," further emphasizes the importance of the celestial bodies in Dickinson's work. The use of the word "star" is significant, as it suggests a sense of wonder and awe that the poet feels towards the night sky. This sense of wonder is further emphasized in the third line, where Dickinson writes, "It's very mean to go away."
Here, Dickinson is expressing her sadness at the fact that the stars disappear during the day, leaving the sky empty and devoid of their beauty. The use of the word "mean" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of betrayal on the part of the stars. This sense of betrayal is further emphasized in the fourth line, where Dickinson writes, "And leave us in the dark again."
The use of the word "dark" here is significant, as it represents the unknown and the uncertainty that comes with it. Dickinson is suggesting that without the stars to guide us, we are left in a state of confusion and disorientation. This idea is further explored in the fifth and sixth lines of the poem, where Dickinson writes, "Whose coming is uncertain, / And whose departure's doubly so."
Here, Dickinson is emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the fact that we can never truly know what the future holds. The use of the word "doubly" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of anxiety and fear that comes with this uncertainty.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "And when he's come, they roam abroad, / A little while, as fair as they," further emphasize the fleeting nature of life and the fact that nothing lasts forever. Dickinson is suggesting that just like the stars, we too are here for only a short time before we must depart.
The final two lines of the poem, "But as if they were bubbles blown / By some forgotten play," are particularly poignant, as they suggest that life is nothing more than a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things. The use of the word "bubbles" is significant, as it suggests a sense of fragility and impermanence that is inherent in all things.
In conclusion, "Arcturus is His Other Name" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. Through her use of symbolism and imagery, Dickinson captures the essence of the night sky and the stars that adorn it, while also exploring deeper themes of life, death, and spirituality. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's exceptional talent as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few short lines.
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