'Behold this little Bane-' by Emily Dickinson
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Behold this little Bane-
The Boon of all alive-
As common as it is unknown
The name of it is Love-To lack of it is Woe-
To own of it is Wound-
Not elsewhere-if in Paradise
Its Tantamount be found-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Behold this little Bane: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson, the reclusive American poet known for her enigmatic and unconventional style, has crafted some of the most thought-provoking and emotive poems in the English language. Among her vast body of work is "Behold this little Bane," a poem that explores themes of mortality, identity, and the human condition. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this captivating piece of poetry.
Overview
"Behold this little Bane" is a three-stanza poem consisting of six lines each. The poem is written in free verse, with no formal structure or rhyme scheme. As with many of Dickinson's poems, the language is simple and direct, but the meaning is layered and complex. The title of the poem is significant, as it sets the tone for the rest of the work. The word "bane" means a cause of great distress or harm, which suggests that the poem will explore a negative or difficult subject.
Stanza One
Behold this little Bane- The Boon of all alive- As common as it is unknown The name of it is Love-
The first stanza introduces the little bane, which is revealed to be love. Dickinson presents love as both a blessing and a curse, a boon and a bane. The use of this paradox highlights the ambiguity of love and its complexity. The phrase "as common as it is unknown" suggests that love is a universal experience, yet it remains elusive and difficult to define.
The choice to capitalize the "B" in "Boon" and the "L" in "Love" adds emphasis to these words, elevating their importance and underscoring their significance to the poem. Dickinson is drawing attention to the fact that love is a fundamental part of the human experience, and as such, it deserves to be examined and understood.
Stanza Two
Some--familiarly-- Breathe it--for a name-- As Life--impersonal--is known-- They perished--from the same--
The second stanza explores the idea that love is often taken for granted or overlooked. Some people breathe love "familiarly," as if it is simply a name or a concept. In contrast, life is presented as "impersonal," which suggests that people are more likely to focus on the tangible aspects of existence rather than the intangible. The fact that people can perish from the same impersonal force that they take for granted underscores the idea that love is a potent and mysterious force that deserves respect and attention.
Stanza Three
Yet no one has explained-- What is the matter--"lest" You know it--from the news-- That He--is gone of Test--
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson poses a question that she does not answer: "What is the matter?" This question could refer to the nature of love itself or to the cause of the speaker's distress. The use of the word "lest" suggests that there is some danger or risk associated with understanding the matter. It is only through the news of someone's departure ("He--is gone of Test--") that the reader can begin to comprehend the nature of the matter.
The use of the word "Test" is interesting. It could refer to a test of love, suggesting that the departure of a loved one is a trial that reveals the true nature of one's feelings. Alternatively, it could refer to a spiritual test, suggesting that the speaker is grappling with larger questions of faith and mortality.
Interpretation
"Behold this little Bane" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex nature of love and its role in the human experience. The use of paradox and ambiguity throughout the poem invites the reader to consider the many facets of love, from its beauty to its capacity to cause pain.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that love is a force that defies easy explanation or understanding. While it is a common experience, it remains mysterious and elusive. The fact that people can perish from a lack of love or from the loss of a loved one underscores the idea that love is essential to the human experience.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that love is a test of character. The departure of a loved one reveals the true nature of one's feelings and can be a transformative experience. The use of the word "Test" in the final stanza suggests that the speaker is grappling with larger questions of faith and mortality, and that love is a crucial aspect of this struggle.
Conclusion
"Behold this little Bane" is a powerful and evocative poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet. The use of paradox and ambiguity throughout the poem invites the reader to consider the many facets of love, from its beauty to its capacity to cause pain. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of love or as a reflection on the larger questions of faith and mortality, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's enduring influence on the world of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Behold this little Bane, written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by its simplicity, brevity, and depth of meaning. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Behold this little Bane," which immediately grabs the reader's attention. The word "Bane" means a cause of great distress or annoyance, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is asking the reader to look at something that is causing them great pain or discomfort.
The next line reads, "The Boon of all alive," which seems to contradict the first line. A "Boon" is a blessing or a benefit, so why would the speaker refer to something that is causing distress as a boon? This is where the poem's deeper meaning comes into play. The speaker is suggesting that even though this "Bane" is causing pain, it is also a necessary part of life. Without it, we would not be alive.
The third line reads, "As common as it is known," which suggests that this "Bane" is something that everyone is familiar with. It is a part of life that we all experience, yet we often take it for granted. The speaker is reminding us to pay attention to this "Bane" and to appreciate its importance.
The fourth line reads, "And as unknown, as thronged," which is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "unknown" suggests that there is something about this "Bane" that we do not fully understand. It is a mystery that we are constantly trying to unravel. The word "thronged" suggests that this "Bane" is something that is crowded or filled with people. This could be interpreted as a reference to the fact that we are all in this together, experiencing this "Bane" as a collective.
The fifth line reads, "As light unto the seam," which is another line that is open to interpretation. The word "light" suggests that this "Bane" is something that illuminates or sheds light on something else. The word "seam" could be interpreted as a reference to the fabric of life, suggesting that this "Bane" is a necessary part of the fabric of our existence.
The final line reads, "Or Bees, allured to the nectar," which is a beautiful image that ties the poem together. Bees are attracted to nectar, which is a sweet substance that they need to survive. The speaker is suggesting that this "Bane" is like nectar to us. It is something that we are drawn to, even though it may cause us pain. It is a necessary part of our existence, just like nectar is a necessary part of a bee's existence.
Overall, Behold this little Bane is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human experience. The poem's use of symbolism and literary devices adds depth and complexity to its meaning, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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