'As if I asked a common Alms' by Emily Dickinson
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As if I asked a common Alms,
And in my wondering hand
A Stranger pressed a Kingdom,
And I, bewildered, stand—
As if I asked the Orient
Had it for me a Morn—
And it should lift its purple Dikes,
And shatter me with Dawn!
Editor 1 Interpretation
As if I asked a common Alms by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever felt the need to express an emotion or share an experience but find it difficult to do so? This is a common feeling for many people, and Emily Dickinson's poem "As if I asked a common Alms" perfectly captures this sentiment. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive deep into the themes, language, and structure of this classic poem.
Overview
"As if I asked a common Alms" is a short poem consisting of just two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza begins with the line "As if I asked a common Alms," and the second stanza begins with "And in my asking, Pitying eyes." At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward, but upon closer examination, it is clear that Dickinson is conveying a much deeper message.
Themes
One of the most significant themes in this poem is the difficulty of expressing oneself. The speaker in the poem feels as though they are asking for something that is not easily given, as if they are asking for a "common Alms." This line implies that the speaker is asking for something that is typically given out of pity or charity, rather than something that is freely given. The use of the word "common" also suggests that the speaker feels that their request is something that is not special or unique and is therefore not worthy of attention.
Another theme that is present in this poem is the idea of judgment. The line "And in my asking, Pitying eyes" suggests that the speaker believes that they are being judged by those around them. The use of the word "pitying" implies that the speaker believes that those around them are looking down on them or feeling sorry for them, which can be a difficult thing to deal with.
A third theme that is present in this poem is the idea of isolation. The speaker feels as though they are alone in their struggle to express themselves and to be understood. The use of the word "as if" in the opening line suggests that the speaker is imagining a scenario in which they are asking for help, but they are not actually doing so. This suggests that the speaker is hesitant to reach out to others for assistance, perhaps because they fear rejection or judgment.
Language
The language in this poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also very powerful. The use of the word "common" in the opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, suggesting that the speaker's request is something that is not unique or special. The repetition of the word "asking" in both stanzas also emphasizes the speaker's struggle to express themselves and to be understood.
The final line of the poem, "And then they shame me - just as Ourselves - did shame," is particularly powerful. The use of the word "shame" suggests that the speaker feels as though they have been judged and found wanting. The use of the word "Ourselves" implies that the speaker is not only being judged by others but is also judging themselves.
Structure
The structure of this poem is simple but effective. The use of two stanzas with four lines each creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The repetition of the word "asking" in both stanzas also creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the theme of the difficulty of expressing oneself.
The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase over multiple lines, is also effective. For example, in the first stanza, the first line continues onto the second line with the phrase "I stood a Beggar," creating a sense of momentum and urgency.
Interpretation
So, what is Dickinson trying to say in this poem? There are a few different interpretations, but one possible reading is that the speaker is expressing their frustration with the difficulty of communicating their emotions and experiences to others. The use of the word "common" suggests that the speaker feels as though their request is not unique or special and is therefore not worthy of attention.
The line "And in my asking, Pitying eyes" suggests that the speaker feels as though they are being judged by those around them, which can be a difficult thing to deal with. The repetition of the word "asking" in both stanzas also emphasizes the speaker's struggle to express themselves and to be understood.
The final line of the poem, "And then they shame me - just as Ourselves - did shame," suggests that the speaker not only feels judged by others but is also judging themselves. This line implies that the speaker is struggling with feelings of shame and self-doubt, which can make it even more challenging to express oneself.
Overall, "As if I asked a common Alms" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the difficulty of expressing oneself and the struggle to be understood. The use of simple language and structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, while the repetition of the word "asking" emphasizes the speaker's frustration with their inability to communicate effectively. Dickinson's poem is a testament to the power of language and the importance of being able to express oneself fully and honestly.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As if I asked a common Alms is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by its brevity, wit, and depth of meaning. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its various themes and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker saying, "As if I asked a common Alms, / And in my wondering hand / A Stranger pressed a Kingdom, / And I, bewildered, stand." The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is asking for something ordinary, but what she receives is extraordinary. The use of the word "common" emphasizes the speaker's modesty and humility. She is not asking for anything grand or extravagant, but rather something simple and basic.
The second line of the poem introduces the concept of a stranger giving the speaker a kingdom. This is a metaphor for something valuable and precious. The use of the word "wondering" suggests that the speaker is surprised by what she has received. She did not expect to receive something so valuable from a stranger.
The third line of the poem is particularly interesting. The speaker says that she is bewildered. This suggests that she is confused and disoriented. She does not know what to do with the kingdom that has been given to her. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. She often writes about the confusion and uncertainty that people experience when they are faced with something new or unexpected.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "But He that passed, the Aid / Departed, and the World was wide." This line suggests that the stranger who gave the speaker the kingdom has left. The use of the word "Aid" suggests that the stranger was helping the speaker in some way. The fact that the stranger has left suggests that the speaker is now on her own. She must figure out what to do with the kingdom that has been given to her.
The next line of the poem is particularly interesting. The speaker says that the world was wide. This suggests that the speaker is now free to explore and discover new things. The fact that the world is wide suggests that there are many possibilities and opportunities available to the speaker.
The final two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says, "How is it Then with Me, / And Midnight? Say – the Soul's – behind!" This suggests that the speaker is now facing a difficult decision. She must decide what to do with the kingdom that has been given to her. The use of the word "Midnight" suggests that the speaker is facing a dark and uncertain future. However, the fact that the soul is behind suggests that the speaker has the strength and courage to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses several techniques to convey her message. One of the most prominent techniques is metaphor. The use of the kingdom as a metaphor for something valuable and precious is particularly effective. It conveys the idea that the speaker has been given something of great importance.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses is repetition. The use of the word "common" in the first line of the poem is repeated in the third line. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's modesty and humility. It also emphasizes the contrast between what the speaker asked for and what she received.
Finally, Dickinson uses imagery to convey her message. The use of the word "wondering" in the second line of the poem creates an image of the speaker holding out her hand in confusion and surprise. The use of the word "bewildered" in the third line creates an image of the speaker standing in confusion and uncertainty.
In conclusion, As if I asked a common Alms is a classic poem that explores the themes of humility, surprise, and uncertainty. Dickinson's use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery creates a powerful and memorable poem that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem's message is timeless and universal, reminding us that even the most ordinary things can hold great value and meaning.
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