'My Heart upon a little Plate' by Emily Dickinson
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My Heart upon a little Plate
Her Palate to delight
A Berry or a Bun, would be,
Might it an Apricot!
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Heart upon a little Plate by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is a poet whose works are characterized by their intense and often personal themes. In "My Heart upon a little Plate," she explores the theme of love and the impact it has on one's emotional state. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style that includes unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this literary criticism, we will analyze and interpret the poem by examining its structure, language, and themes.
Overview of the Poem
"My Heart upon a little Plate" is a short poem consisting of only four quatrains. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a simple and repetitive structure. The poem describes the speaker's feelings of love, as they feel their heart has been taken and placed upon a small plate. Dickinson's use of metaphor to describe the speaker's emotions is a reflection of her unique style and is a prominent feature in this poem.
Analysis of Language and Imagery
The poem begins with the lines "My Heart upon a little Plate / Lies – lightly – like a Leaf –." The use of the metaphor "Heart upon a little Plate" is significant because it represents the speaker's vulnerability in love. The heart is the symbol of love, and placing it on a small plate implies that it is easily taken or removed. The comparison to a leaf further emphasizes the fragility of the speaker's emotions. Leaves are easily blown away by the wind, just as the speaker's heart can be easily taken away by someone they love.
The second stanza continues the metaphor of the heart on a plate, with the line "And – thrown – it waits – Men – Tweezerless –." The word "thrown" implies that the heart has been carelessly discarded or dropped, emphasizing the speaker's vulnerability in love. The use of the word "Tweezerless" further emphasizes the idea that the heart is easily taken or handled, as tweezers are a tool used to pick up small objects.
The third stanza begins with the line "But Heaven is as near / As Hand – and Happier –." This line implies that the speaker believes that love can bring happiness and that heaven is within reach. The use of the word "Hand" is significant, as it represents the idea of touch and the physical connection between individuals in love.
The final stanza concludes the poem with the lines "Would not the fun / Look too expensive!" The use of the word "fun" to describe love is unusual, as it is not typically associated with such a deep and personal emotion. The use of the word "expensive" implies that love requires a sacrifice, and the cost may be too high for some to pay.
Overall, Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery in this poem is significant, as it adds depth and complexity to the speaker's emotions. The heart on a plate metaphor is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's vulnerability in love.
Themes and Interpretation
The primary theme of "My Heart upon a little Plate" is love and its impact on one's emotional state. The poem describes the speaker's feelings of vulnerability and fragility in love, as well as the potential for happiness and sacrifice that comes with it. The poem suggests that love is a powerful emotion that can bring both joy and pain, and that it requires a level of sacrifice to fully experience.
The theme of sacrifice is particularly significant in this poem. The use of the word "expensive" suggests that love requires a sacrifice from the individual, whether it be time, effort, or emotional investment. The poem implies that the cost of love may be too high for some, and that not everyone is willing to pay that cost.
The idea of heaven being within reach is also significant in this poem. The use of the word "Heaven" implies that love is a divine emotion, one that can bring happiness and fulfillment. The poem suggests that love has the potential to bring individuals closer to something greater than themselves, whether it be another person or a higher power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "My Heart upon a little Plate" is a short but powerful poem that explores the themes of love, vulnerability, and sacrifice. The poem's use of metaphor and imagery adds depth and complexity to the speaker's emotions, and its simple but repetitive structure emphasizes the poem's central message. Dickinson's unique style and unconventional use of language make this poem a perfect example of her literary genius.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Heart upon a little Plate: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep philosophical themes. One of her most famous poems is "My Heart upon a little Plate," which is a masterpiece of poetic expression. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "My Heart upon a little Plate." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker's heart is exposed and vulnerable. The use of the word "little" also suggests that the heart is fragile and delicate, like a small object that can easily be broken. The image of a heart on a plate is also a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, which are on display for all to see.
The second line of the poem reads, "Lie low – upon the sweet little spec of Blue." This line is a reference to the sky, which is often described as a "spec of blue" in poetry. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the speaker finds comfort in the sky, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The phrase "lie low" also suggests that the speaker is feeling down or depressed, and is seeking solace in the beauty of nature.
The third line of the poem reads, "To see it, you need the stillest spy." This line is a reference to the fact that the sky is often difficult to see, especially when there are clouds or other obstructions. The use of the word "stillest" suggests that the speaker is seeking a quiet and peaceful place where they can observe the sky without distraction. The phrase "you need" also suggests that the speaker is addressing someone else, perhaps a friend or a lover, who they want to share this experience with.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "You’d never know – look up – that a Pie." This line is a reference to the fact that the sky can be deceiving, as it often looks calm and peaceful even when there is a storm brewing. The use of the word "Pie" is a metaphor for the speaker's heart, which is still on the plate and vulnerable to the world. The phrase "you’d never know" suggests that the speaker is hiding their true emotions from the world, and that they are putting on a brave face even when they are feeling down.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Was wracking – and the plates – just Ripe –" This line is a reference to the fact that the speaker's heart was recently broken, and that they are still feeling the pain of that experience. The use of the word "wracking" suggests that the speaker is experiencing intense emotional pain, and that they are struggling to cope with their feelings. The phrase "just Ripe" suggests that the speaker's heart was ready to be broken, and that they were perhaps too trusting or too vulnerable.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "And ready to be baked –" This line is a continuation of the metaphor of the pie, and suggests that the speaker's heart was ready to be consumed or destroyed. The use of the word "baked" suggests that the speaker's heart was exposed to the heat of the world, and that it was vulnerable to being burned or damaged. The phrase "ready to be baked" also suggests that the speaker was aware of the risks of exposing their heart to the world, but that they did so anyway.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Great fear – lest Diners – look –" This line is a reference to the fact that the speaker is afraid of being judged or criticized by others. The use of the word "Diners" suggests that the speaker is referring to other people who are observing them, perhaps in a social setting. The phrase "Great fear" suggests that the speaker is experiencing intense anxiety or insecurity, and that they are worried about being exposed or rejected.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "And see – that – I – was – myself –" This line is a continuation of the theme of vulnerability and exposure. The use of the word "myself" suggests that the speaker is afraid of being seen for who they truly are, and that they are hiding behind a facade or a mask. The phrase "And see" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone else, perhaps a friend or a lover, who they want to understand their true feelings.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Portrait – just – for – a – Portrait’s – sake." This line is a reference to the fact that the speaker's heart is like a portrait, which is created for the sake of art or beauty. The use of the word "just" suggests that the speaker's heart is not meant to be consumed or destroyed, but rather to be appreciated for its beauty and uniqueness. The phrase "for a Portrait's sake" also suggests that the speaker is creating something of value, even if it is not immediately apparent to others.
The final line of the poem reads, "And every time I looked at it – I smiled –" This line is a reference to the fact that the speaker finds joy and happiness in their own vulnerability and exposure. The use of the word "smiled" suggests that the speaker is at peace with their emotions, and that they have found a way to accept and embrace their true self. The phrase "every time I looked at it" also suggests that the speaker is reflecting on their own emotions and experiences, and that they are finding meaning and significance in their own vulnerability.
In conclusion, "My Heart upon a little Plate" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the themes of vulnerability, exposure, and acceptance. Through the use of metaphors and imagery, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful and moving portrait of the human heart, which is both fragile and resilient, vulnerable and strong. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to inspire us to embrace our own emotions and vulnerabilities.
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