'Color—Caste—Denomination' by Emily Dickinson
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Color—Caste—Denomination—
These—are Time's Affair—
Death's diviner Classifying
Does not know they are—
As in sleep—All Hue forgotten—
Tenets—put behind—
Death's large—Democratic fingers
Rub away the Brand—
If Circassian—He is careless—
If He put away
Chrysalis of Blonde—or Umber—
Equal Butterfly—
They emerge from His Obscuring—
What Death—knows so well—
Our minuter intuitions—
Deem unplausible—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Color—Caste—Denomination: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is known for her unique poetic style, which often explores themes of death, love, and nature. However, one of her lesser-known works, "Color—Caste—Denomination," delves into the complexities of race and religion in American society during the 19th century. This poem is particularly relevant today as we continue to grapple with issues of systemic racism and religious intolerance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the various elements of "Color—Caste—Denomination" and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
Analysis
Form and Structure
"Color—Caste—Denomination" is a short, three-stanza poem with a unique structure. Each stanza is four lines long, and the first word of each line is capitalized. The use of capitalization is notable as it gives equal weight to each of the three concepts in the title, which are typically used to divide and categorize people. Dickinson's choice to structure the poem in this way suggests that she is questioning the validity of these divisions and perhaps even challenging them.
Language and Tone
The language and tone of "Color—Caste—Denomination" are straightforward and matter-of-fact. There are no elaborate metaphors or flowery language, which is typical of Dickinson's style. Instead, she uses simple words and phrases to convey a powerful message. The tone is one of skepticism and perhaps even cynicism as Dickinson seems to be questioning the societal norms of her time.
Theme
The overarching theme of "Color—Caste—Denomination" is the idea that we should not judge people based on their race, social status, or religion. In the first stanza, Dickinson writes, "Color—Caste—Denomination— / These—are Time's Affair— / Death's diviner Classifying / Does not know they are—." This suggests that these divisions are arbitrary and not based on any inherent qualities of the individual. The second stanza continues this theme as Dickinson writes, "To him who has no nature / No feature have the skies— / It is His priviledge to deem it / Beggarly—or Wealthy—." Here, she is saying that even nature does not recognize these divisions, and it is up to us to determine their worth. Finally, in the third stanza, Dickinson writes, "Unconscious of their doom / The Boldest face a crowd— / And brazenly—"inferiority"— / Is what they boast of most—." This suggests that even those who are labeled as inferior by society are often unaware of it and may even take pride in it.
Imagery
Despite the straightforward language used in "Color—Caste—Denomination," Dickinson employs several powerful images to convey her message. In the first stanza, she writes, "Death's diviner Classifying / Does not know they are—." This image of death as a sort of divine classifier suggests that even death does not recognize these divisions. In the second stanza, she writes, "No feature have the skies—." This image of the vast sky, which is indifferent to our differences, reinforces the idea that these divisions are arbitrary. Finally, in the third stanza, Dickinson writes, "The Boldest face a crowd— / And brazenly—"inferiority"— / Is what they boast of most—." This image of individuals bravely facing a crowd and even taking pride in their supposed inferiority is both powerful and poignant.
Interpretation
"Color—Caste—Denomination" is a poem that challenges the societal norms of its time and encourages us to look beyond the superficial divisions that separate us. Dickinson is suggesting that these divisions are arbitrary and do not reflect the true worth of an individual. Furthermore, she is suggesting that even nature does not recognize these divisions, which reinforces the idea that they are societal constructs.
In many ways, "Color—Caste—Denomination" is a poem that is ahead of its time. It was written during a time when racial and religious divisions were deeply entrenched in American society, and it would be many years before significant progress was made in addressing these issues. However, the poem's message is just as relevant today as it was when it was written. We continue to live in a society that is divided along racial, social, and religious lines, and we must continue to work toward a world where these divisions are no longer relevant.
Overall, "Color—Caste—Denomination" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to look beyond the superficial divisions that separate us and to recognize the inherent worth of each individual. It is a reminder that we are all part of the same human family, and that our differences should be celebrated rather than used to divide us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Color—Caste—Denomination: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, known for her unique style and thought-provoking themes. Her poem, Color—Caste—Denomination, is no exception. In this classic piece, Dickinson explores the complex issues of race, class, and religion, and how they intersect in society. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem’s meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, “Color—Caste—Denomination—/ These—are Time’s Affair—”. Here, Dickinson is acknowledging that these three concepts are deeply ingrained in society and have been for a long time. The use of the word “affair” suggests that these issues are ongoing and have not been resolved. The fact that they are “Time’s” affair also implies that they are timeless and will continue to be relevant in the future.
The next line, “Death’s diviner air” is a bit more difficult to interpret. It could be interpreted as a reference to the idea that death is the great equalizer, that in death, all people are the same regardless of their race, class, or religion. Alternatively, it could be interpreted as a reference to the idea that death is a divine force that transcends these earthly concerns.
The third line, “Deftly develop these” suggests that these issues are not just present in society, but that they are actively being developed and perpetuated. The use of the word “deftly” implies that those in power are skilled at maintaining the status quo and keeping these issues alive.
The fourth line, “Ampler shall they be” suggests that these issues will only continue to grow and become more prevalent in society. The use of the word “ampler” implies that they will become more expansive and all-encompassing.
The second stanza begins with the line, “Nature, without check with original energy” which suggests that nature itself is not concerned with these issues. Nature operates on its own energy and is not influenced by human constructs such as race, class, or religion. This line could also be interpreted as a critique of human society, suggesting that we have strayed too far from our natural state and have created these issues ourselves.
The next line, “Comes like a breeze between the fences of the pines” is a beautiful image that suggests a sense of freedom and openness. The breeze is able to move freely between the fences, suggesting that there are no barriers or restrictions. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that if we let go of our preconceived notions of race, class, and religion, we can experience a sense of freedom and openness.
The third stanza begins with the line, “We grow accustomed to the Dark—” which suggests that we have become so accustomed to these issues that we no longer see them as problematic. The use of the word “Dark” implies that these issues are negative and harmful, but we have become so used to them that we no longer see them as such.
The next line, “When light is put away—” suggests that when we ignore these issues, we are putting away the light of truth and justice. We are choosing to remain in the darkness, rather than confronting these issues and working towards a solution.
The final stanza begins with the line, “As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp” which suggests that it is up to us, as individuals, to hold the lamp of truth and justice. We must be willing to confront these issues and work towards a solution. The use of the word “Neighbor” implies that we are all connected and that we must work together to create a better society.
The next line, “To witness her Goodbye—” suggests that we must be willing to say goodbye to the old ways of thinking and embrace a new way of being. We must be willing to let go of our preconceived notions of race, class, and religion and embrace a more inclusive and just society.
The final line, “A Moment—We uncertain step” suggests that this process will not be easy and that we will stumble along the way. However, we must be willing to take that uncertain step and work towards a better future.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s poem, Color—Caste—Denomination, is a powerful exploration of the complex issues of race, class, and religion. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson challenges us to confront these issues and work towards a more just and inclusive society. While the poem was written over a century ago, its message is still relevant today and serves as a reminder that we must continue to work towards a better future.
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