'Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy' by Emily Dickinson


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1640

Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy,
And I am richer then than all my Fellow Men—
Ill it becometh me to dwell so wealthily
When at my very Door are those possessing more,
In abject poverty—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Emily, how do you do it? How do you craft such a powerful and evocative poem with just a few words? Such is the case with "Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy," a poem that captures the essence of the human experience with incredible precision and insight.

Overview

At first glance, the poem seems to be a plea for the preservation of a single feeling, Ecstasy, even if everything else is taken away. However, a closer examination reveals deeper layers of meaning that explore the nature of love, loss, and the human condition.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the fragile and fleeting nature of happiness, and the human desire to cling to it despite the inevitability of its passing. It speaks to the universal human experience of longing for a feeling of joy and contentment that can seem almost impossible to attain or maintain.

Structure and Form

The poem is structured as a series of four quatrains, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. Each line is composed of six syllables, which creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that reinforces the poem's themes of harmony and unity.

The brevity and simplicity of the poem's structure are deceptive, however, as they belie the complexity of its content. Each quatrain builds on the previous one, expanding and deepening the poem's meaning with each new line.

Interpretation

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that everything in the world could be taken away from her, as long as she is allowed to keep the feeling of Ecstasy. This initial sentiment is both bold and vulnerable, as it reveals the speaker's deepest desire and longing.

The second quatrain expands on this idea, describing the feeling of Ecstasy as a kind of divine harmony that transcends the physical world. The speaker suggests that this feeling is so powerful that it could connect her to God himself, and that it is worth any sacrifice or suffering to attain.

The third quatrain takes a darker turn, acknowledging the inevitability of loss and the transitory nature of happiness. The speaker asks whether it is better to have experienced Ecstasy and lost it, or never to have experienced it at all.

The final quatrain offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even though happiness is fleeting, it is still worth pursuing. The speaker declares that she will continue to seek Ecstasy, even though it may be elusive and temporary.

Themes

There are several key themes that emerge from the poem, including:

Longing and Desire

At its core, the poem is a meditation on human longing and desire. The speaker longs for the feeling of Ecstasy, even though she knows it may be fleeting and difficult to attain. This desire is universal, as all humans seek happiness and fulfillment, even though they know that these things may be elusive.

Loss and Transience

The poem also explores the theme of loss and transience, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of these things. She knows that even if she experiences Ecstasy, it will not last forever, and that happiness is always fleeting. This theme reflects the Buddhist concept of impermanence, which suggests that all things are temporary and subject to change.

Spirituality and Connection

The poem also touches on themes of spirituality and connection, as the speaker suggests that the feeling of Ecstasy is a kind of divine harmony that connects her to God. This theme suggests that humans have a deep need for transcendence and connection to something greater than themselves.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking things about the poem is its use of language and imagery. Despite the brevity of the poem, Dickinson manages to convey a rich and complex set of emotions through her choice of words and images.

For example, the use of the word "Ecstasy" is powerful, as it suggests a kind of rapturous joy that is almost otherworldly. The use of the word "take" in the first line is also significant, as it suggests a sense of loss and sacrifice.

The imagery in the poem is also striking, particularly in the second quatrain, where the speaker describes Ecstasy as a kind of divine harmony that connects her to God. The use of the word "chords" in this section is particularly evocative, as it suggests a musical quality to the feeling of Ecstasy.

Conclusion

"Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for happiness and fulfillment. Through its use of language, structure, and imagery, the poem captures the fragility and transience of happiness, and the human desire to cling to it despite its fleeting nature.

This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few words. It is a work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy – these are the words of Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time. In this poem, Dickinson explores the idea of what truly matters in life. She suggests that material possessions and even life itself are not as important as the feeling of ecstasy. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this poem and explore the literary devices that Dickinson uses to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line “Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy”. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that the speaker is willing to give up everything in order to experience ecstasy. The word “ecstasy” is used here to refer to a state of intense happiness or joy. It is important to note that the speaker is not asking for ecstasy to be given to them, but rather for everything else to be taken away so that they can experience it.

The second line of the poem reads “And I am richer then than all my fellow men”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of ecstasy is more valuable than any material possession. The speaker is saying that if they were to lose everything else, but still have the feeling of ecstasy, they would be richer than anyone else. This line also suggests that the speaker is not concerned with material wealth or possessions, but rather with the feeling of joy that comes from within.

The third line of the poem reads “Ill it becometh me to dwell so wealthily”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that it is not appropriate for the speaker to be so focused on the feeling of ecstasy. The word “ill” suggests that the speaker is aware that their desire for ecstasy may not be seen as appropriate by others. The word “wealthily” suggests that the speaker is aware that their desire for ecstasy may be seen as a form of greed or selfishness.

The fourth line of the poem reads “When at my very door are those possessing more”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the speaker is aware that there are others who possess more material wealth than they do. The word “door” suggests that these people are close to the speaker, perhaps even their neighbors. The word “possessing” suggests that these people have material possessions that the speaker does not have.

The fifth line of the poem reads “But take it – Lord – a Burden – and a pain –”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of ecstasy can be burdensome and painful. The word “burden” suggests that the feeling of ecstasy can be heavy and difficult to carry. The word “pain” suggests that the feeling of ecstasy can be intense and even overwhelming.

The sixth line of the poem reads “But leave me with a core of cheer”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even though the feeling of ecstasy can be burdensome and painful, it is still important to have a core of cheer. The word “core” suggests that the feeling of cheer is at the center of the speaker’s being. The word “cheer” suggests that the speaker is still focused on the feeling of joy and happiness.

The seventh line of the poem reads “A freer phase of life”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of ecstasy can lead to a freer phase of life. The word “freer” suggests that the speaker is no longer bound by material possessions or concerns. The word “phase” suggests that the feeling of ecstasy is not a permanent state, but rather a temporary one.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads “From that soul time forgot”. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of ecstasy comes from a place that is beyond time. The word “soul” suggests that the feeling of ecstasy comes from within the speaker. The word “time forgot” suggests that the feeling of ecstasy is not bound by time or space.

In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses repetition in this poem to emphasize the importance of the feeling of ecstasy. The phrase “Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy” is repeated twice in the poem. This repetition serves to reinforce the idea that the feeling of ecstasy is the most important thing to the speaker.

Dickinson also uses imagery in this poem to convey her message. The word “ecstasy” is used to describe a feeling of intense happiness or joy. This word conjures up images of bright colors, warm sunshine, and a feeling of weightlessness. The word “burden” is used to describe the feeling of ecstasy as well. This word conjures up images of a heavy weight, perhaps a boulder or a large rock.

In conclusion, “Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy” is a powerful poem that explores the idea of what truly matters in life. Dickinson suggests that material possessions and even life itself are not as important as the feeling of ecstasy. She uses repetition and imagery to convey her message, and the result is a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

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