'She rose to His Requirement' by Emily Dickinson
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She rose to His Requirement—dropt
The Playthings of Her Life
To take the honorable Work
Of Woman, and of Wife—
If ought She missed in Her new Day,
Of Amplitude, or Awe—
Or first Prospective—Or the Gold
In using, wear away,
It lay unmentioned—as the Sea
Develop Pearl, and Weed,
But only to Himself—be known
The Fathoms they abide—
Editor 1 Interpretation
She rose to His Requirement: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
By Emily Dickinson
She rose to His Requirement—dropt The Playthings of Her Life To take the honorable Work Of Woman, and of Wife—
If a poem could be described as a masterpiece, then "She rose to His Requirement" by Emily Dickinson can definitely fit the bill. This classic piece of literature is a powerful depiction of a woman's transformation into a dutiful wife, and the poem's imagery and symbolism are so rich and nuanced that they continue to resonate with readers even today.
Understanding the Poem's Structure and Form
Before we delve into the poem's meaning, it's important to appreciate its structure and form. "She rose to His Requirement" is composed of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a rhyming pattern, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the second and fourth lines also rhyming with each other.
The poem's meter is also worth noting. Dickinson uses iambic trimeter, a three-syllable metrical pattern in which the first syllable is unaccented, followed by an accented syllable, and then another unaccented syllable. This creates a bouncy, rhythmic feel to the poem that is both playful and serious at the same time.
Decoding the Poem's Meaning
At its core, "She rose to His Requirement" is a poem about a woman who has to give up her own desires and aspirations in order to fulfill the expectations of her husband and society. The opening lines of the poem set the stage for this transformation, as the woman "dropt/The Playthings of Her Life" to take on the roles of a woman and a wife.
The use of the phrase "playthings of her life" is particularly striking, as it implies that the woman's previous pursuits, dreams, and hobbies were mere distractions or amusements, not to be taken seriously. This suggests that society at the time, and perhaps even the woman's own husband, did not value her as an individual with her own thoughts and desires, but rather as a tool to achieve their own goals.
The poem's second stanza further emphasizes this point, as Dickinson writes that the woman put her own desires aside to take on the "honorable work" of being a wife and a woman. The use of the word "honorable" suggests that society expected women to be selfless and subservient, and that the woman in the poem had no choice but to conform to these expectations.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as it describes the woman's transformation in more detail. Dickinson writes that the woman "rose to the summit of the stairs"—a metaphor for the woman's ascent to a higher social status—and that she "stopped at the firmament"—another metaphor for the woman's attainment of a higher level of achievement. These images suggest that the woman has achieved something great, but at the same time, they also imply that she has had to give up something important to get there.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it describes the woman's transformation from an individual to a wife. Dickinson writes that the woman "broke the Bread—then—divided it/Dealt Him—Another Slice." The use of the word "broke" suggests that the woman has shattered something, and the act of dividing the bread between herself and her husband suggests that she has become a subordinate figure in their relationship.
Analyzing the Poem's Imagery and Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of "She rose to His Requirement" is its evocative imagery and symbolism. Dickinson uses a number of metaphors and symbols to convey the woman's transformation, and these images add depth and complexity to the poem's meaning.
For example, the use of the metaphor of the "summit of the stairs" and the "firmament" suggest that the woman has achieved something great, but at the same time, they also imply that she has had to give up something important to get there. Similarly, the image of the woman "breaking the bread" and "dividing it" is a powerful symbol of her transformation from an individual to a wife.
Another striking symbol in the poem is the use of the word "dropt" in the first line. This word suggests that the woman is discarding something, and the use of the word "playthings" implies that these things are not important or valuable. This image sets up the poem's central conflict: the woman's struggle to balance her own desires and aspirations with the expectations of her husband and society.
Appreciating the Poem's Relevance Today
Although "She rose to His Requirement" was written over a century ago, its themes and messages continue to resonate with readers today. The poem speaks to the ongoing struggles of women to be valued as individuals with their own thoughts and desires, rather than simply as tools to achieve the goals of others.
In many ways, the poem is also a critique of patriarchal society, and the ways in which it devalues women and their contributions. By emphasizing the sacrifices that the woman in the poem has to make in order to conform to societal expectations, Dickinson highlights the ways in which women are often forced to subjugate their own desires and aspirations in order to fit into a particular mold.
Conclusion
"She rose to His Requirement" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the ongoing struggles of women to be valued as individuals. The poem's use of vivid imagery and symbolism, coupled with its rhythmic meter and rhyming structure, make it a masterpiece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
As we continue to strive for gender equality and the recognition of women's contributions, the poem's message remains as relevant and important as ever. Dickinson's words continue to inspire and challenge us, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for women's rights and dignity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
She rose to His Requirement: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores the themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "She rose to His Requirement" is a classic example of her work, and it has been analyzed and discussed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades.
The poem is a short but powerful piece that explores the relationship between a man and a woman. It is a complex and nuanced work that requires careful analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and meaning. In this article, we will take a closer look at "She rose to His Requirement" and explore its themes, structure, and language.
Themes
At its core, "She rose to His Requirement" is a poem about power dynamics in a relationship. The poem explores the idea of a man who has certain expectations of his partner and a woman who is willing to meet those expectations, even if it means sacrificing her own desires and needs.
The poem begins with the line "She rose to his requirement, dropped the playthings of her life." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the power dynamic between the man and the woman. The woman is willing to give up her own interests and desires to meet the man's expectations.
The poem goes on to describe the woman's actions in more detail. She "let the dolls drest long ago" and "put by her childishness." These lines suggest that the woman is giving up her own childhood and innocence to meet the man's expectations. She is willing to grow up and become the person he wants her to be.
The poem also explores the idea of sacrifice. The woman is willing to give up her own desires and needs to meet the man's expectations. She is described as "a rose blooming in the desert" and "a bird that brushed his face." These images suggest that the woman is willing to endure hardship and discomfort to please the man.
Structure
The structure of "She rose to His Requirement" is simple but effective. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or stressed and unstressed syllables.
The simple structure of the poem allows Dickinson to focus on the language and imagery. The short lines and simple structure create a sense of urgency and intensity that adds to the power of the poem.
Language
The language of "She rose to His Requirement" is simple but powerful. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to convey the themes of the poem. The woman is described as "a rose blooming in the desert" and "a bird that brushed his face." These images suggest that the woman is willing to endure hardship and discomfort to please the man.
The poem also uses repetition to emphasize the power dynamic between the man and the woman. The phrase "She rose to his requirement" is repeated three times in the poem, creating a sense of inevitability and power.
The language of the poem is also highly symbolic. The woman is described as giving up her childhood and innocence to meet the man's expectations. This symbolizes the sacrifice that women often make in relationships, giving up their own desires and needs to meet the expectations of their partners.
Conclusion
"She rose to His Requirement" is a powerful and complex poem that explores the themes of power dynamics and sacrifice in relationships. The poem's simple structure and powerful language create a sense of urgency and intensity that adds to its power.
Emily Dickinson's poem is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of power dynamics and sacrifice in relationships is timeless and universal, and its vivid imagery and language make it a work of art that will continue to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.
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