'Gratitude—is not the mention' by Emily Dickinson


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Gratitude—is not the mention
Of a Tenderness,
But its still appreciation
Out of Plumb of Speech.

When the Sea return no Answer
By the Line and Lead
Proves it there's no Sea, or rather
A remoter Bed?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Gratitude—is not the mention: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her enigmatic and compelling style. Her poems, often short in length, are packed with meaning and depth, exploring themes of life, death, love, and spirituality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a close look at one of her best-known works: "Gratitude—is not the mention."

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's first take a look at the text of the poem:

Gratitude—is not the mention Thanksgiving Day— Not very far— To thank the face I know— Her manners quaint—courtesy to me— The gesture of surprise— Eyes with a message Of "Good Will"—in the Willow—tree Sealed up at my Window—I have been there! Felt the Shiver of Surprise And then—departed! Gesture of Amity! Departed—satisfied— Gratitude—Ourselves Be —flattered—by Parades—
An occasional Paean—
To April—the Brighter Day
Occasion of Gratitude—
ITself—is all we own—

At first glance, the poem seems to be about gratitude and thankfulness. However, a closer look reveals that it is much more complex than that.

The Analysis

"Gratitude—is not the mention"

The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. "Gratitude—is not the mention" suggests that gratitude is not just about saying thank you or acknowledging someone's kindness. It's about something deeper and more profound.

"Thanksgiving Day—Not very far"

The mention of Thanksgiving Day in the second line immediately brings to mind the holiday of the same name. However, the phrase "Not very far" suggests that the speaker is not just referring to the holiday, but to the concept of gratitude in general. Gratitude is something that should be expressed regularly, not just on one specific day.

"To thank the face I know"

The third line is where the poem starts to get interesting. The speaker is not thanking someone for something they did, but for who they are. "The face I know" suggests a personal connection, and the following lines describe the person's manners and gestures in detail.

"Her manners quaint—courtesy to me—The gesture of surprise"

The speaker takes note of the person's "quaint" manners and "courtesy" towards them. The "gesture of surprise" is also mentioned, which could suggest that the person did something unexpected or went out of their way to do something for the speaker.

"Eyes with a message Of 'Good Will'—in the Willow—tree"

The next line is particularly interesting. The person's eyes are described as having a message of "Good Will," which is then associated with the image of a willow tree. The willow tree is often associated with sorrow and mourning, but in this context, it could be seen as a symbol of comfort and support.

"Sealed up at my Window—I have been there! Felt the Shiver of Surprise"

The speaker has clearly experienced this gesture of goodwill firsthand. The phrase "sealed up at my window" suggests that it was unexpected and arrived without warning. The "shiver of surprise" further emphasizes the impact that the gesture had on the speaker.

"And then—departed! Gesture of Amity! Departed—satisfied"

The person who made the gesture has now left, but the impact of their kindness remains. The phrase "gesture of amity" suggests a peaceful and friendly overture. The speaker is "satisfied" with what has happened, but the use of the word "departed" suggests a sense of loss or sadness.

"Gratitude—Ourselves Be—flattered—by Parades—An occasional Paean—To April—the Brighter Day"

The final stanza of the poem is where things get really interesting. The speaker suggests that gratitude is not just about thanking others, but about feeling good about ourselves. The use of the word "flattered" suggests that expressing gratitude can be a boost to our own self-esteem. The mention of "parades" and "paean" suggest a sense of celebration and joy. The phrase "To April—the Brighter Day" is a reference to springtime, which is often associated with renewal and hope.

"Occasion of Gratitude—ITself—is all we own—"

The final line of the poem is the most enigmatic. The speaker suggests that the occasion of gratitude is all we own, which could be interpreted in a number of ways. It could suggest that expressing gratitude is the most important thing we can do, or that the feeling of gratitude is something that cannot be taken away from us.

Conclusion

"Gratitude—is not the mention" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of gratitude in a number of different ways. Emily Dickinson's use of imagery, metaphor, and enigmatic language make it a challenging but rewarding piece to analyze. Whether you interpret the poem as a celebration of kindness, a call to express gratitude more often, or something else entirely, the message is clear: gratitude is a powerful force that can bring joy and hope to our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Gratitude—is not the mention: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Among her many works, "Gratitude—is not the mention" stands out as a powerful meditation on the nature of gratitude and its role in our lives. In this article, we will explore the poem in detail, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:

Gratitude—is not the mention Of a Tenderness, But its still appreciation Out of Plumb of Speech.

When Emily Dickinson wrote this poem, she was already an accomplished poet, having written hundreds of poems that explored a wide range of themes and emotions. "Gratitude—is not the mention" is a relatively short poem, consisting of only four lines, but it packs a powerful punch with its concise language and deep insights.

Themes

At its core, "Gratitude—is not the mention" is a poem about gratitude and how we express it. The poem suggests that true gratitude is not simply a matter of saying thank you or expressing appreciation in words. Rather, it is a deeper, more profound feeling that arises from within us and is expressed through our actions and attitudes.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that gratitude is not something that can be forced or manufactured. It is not a matter of simply going through the motions or saying the right words. Rather, it is a natural and spontaneous response to the kindness and generosity of others. This is reflected in the line "But its still appreciation / Out of Plumb of Speech," which suggests that true gratitude is not something that can be easily put into words or expressed in a formulaic way.

Another theme of the poem is the idea that gratitude is not just about the big things in life, but also the small things. The line "Of a Tenderness" suggests that gratitude can arise from even the smallest acts of kindness or moments of tenderness. This is an important reminder that we should not take the small things in life for granted, but rather appreciate them and express our gratitude for them.

Structure

Despite its brevity, "Gratitude—is not the mention" is a well-crafted poem that uses language and structure to convey its message. The poem consists of two couplets, with each line containing eight syllables. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry that reflects the poem's theme of gratitude as a natural and harmonious response to the world around us.

The poem also uses enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, to create a sense of flow and movement. This is particularly evident in the second line, where the phrase "Of a Tenderness" spills over onto the next line, creating a sense of continuity and fluidity.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of "Gratitude—is not the mention" is its use of language. Emily Dickinson was known for her unique style, which often involved the use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. This is evident in the poem, where the first line is punctuated with a dash, and the second line begins with a lowercase letter.

The poem also uses imagery and metaphor to convey its message. The phrase "Out of Plumb of Speech" is a metaphor that suggests that true gratitude cannot be expressed in a straight or conventional way. Rather, it is something that arises from within us and is expressed in our own unique way.

Conclusion

"Gratitude—is not the mention" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that offers deep insights into the nature of gratitude and its role in our lives. Through its concise language, balanced structure, and vivid imagery, the poem reminds us that gratitude is not simply a matter of saying thank you or expressing appreciation in words. Rather, it is a natural and spontaneous response to the kindness and generosity of others, and it is expressed through our actions and attitudes. As we go about our lives, let us remember the message of this poem and strive to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for all the blessings in our lives.

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