'The butterfly obtains' by Emily Dickinson


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The butterfly obtains
But little sympathy
Though favorably mentioned
In Entomology—

Because he travels freely
And wears a proper coat
The circumspect are certain
That he is dissolute—

Had he the homely scutcheon
Of modest Industry
'Twere fitter certifying
For Immortality—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Butterfly Obtains: An Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in the history of literature. Her works are known for their profound depth, and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions in a simple yet eloquent manner. One of her most well-known poems is "The Butterfly Obtains," which is a metaphorical representation of the transition from life to death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the poem and explore its various themes, imagery, and symbolism to understand the hidden meaning of Dickinson's words.

The Poem

Before we begin our analysis, let's take a look at the poem itself:

The butterfly obtains
But little sympathy
Though favorably mentioned
In Entomology—

Because he travels freely
And wears a proper coat
The circumspect are certain
That he is dissolute—

Had he the homely scutcheon
Of modest Industry
'Twere fitter certifying
For his Antiquity—

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It talks about a butterfly who does not receive much sympathy despite being mentioned favorably in Entomology. However, as we dive deeper, we see that Dickinson is using the butterfly as a metaphor for the human soul and the journey of life.

The Butterfly as a Metaphor

The butterfly has long been used as a metaphor for the human soul. Its transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is often seen as a representation of the journey of life, from birth to death. In "The Butterfly Obtains," Dickinson uses the butterfly as a symbol for the human soul's journey from life to death.

The first stanza of the poem talks about how the butterfly does not receive much sympathy despite being mentioned favorably in Entomology. This can be seen as a representation of how society views death. Death is often talked about in a clinical manner, and people are expected to move on quickly. However, Dickinson is trying to tell us that death is not something to be taken lightly. It is a significant event in a person's life, and it should be treated with the respect it deserves.

The Importance of Clothing

The second stanza of the poem talks about the butterfly's clothing. It says that the butterfly wears a proper coat and travels freely. The circumspect are certain that he is dissolute. This can be seen as a representation of how people judge each other based on their appearance. We often make assumptions about a person's character based on how they look or what they wear. Dickinson is trying to tell us that appearances can be deceiving. Just because someone looks a certain way does not mean they are what they appear to be.

The Importance of Industry

The third stanza of the poem talks about the importance of industry. It says that if the butterfly had the homely scutcheon of modest industry, it would be fitter certifying for his Antiquity. This can be seen as a representation of how hard work and industry are essential for leaving a lasting legacy. Dickinson is trying to tell us that it is not enough to just live our lives. We need to make a mark on the world, and the only way to do that is through hard work and industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Butterfly Obtains" is a metaphorical representation of the journey from life to death. Dickinson uses the butterfly as a symbol for the human soul, and its transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is seen as a representation of the journey of life. The poem talks about the importance of treating death with the respect it deserves, the danger of judging people based on their appearance, and the importance of hard work and industry. Dickinson's words are simple yet powerful, and they provide us with a profound insight into the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Butterfly Obtains: 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 themes of nature, death, and spirituality. Her poem "The Butterfly Obtains" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death through the metaphor of a butterfly.

The poem begins with the line "The butterfly obtains, but little sympathy," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The butterfly, a symbol of transformation and rebirth, is often seen as a beautiful and delicate creature. However, in this poem, Dickinson portrays the butterfly as a creature that is not given much sympathy or attention.

The second line of the poem, "Though favorably mentioned in biography," suggests that the butterfly is often mentioned in literature and is considered a significant creature. However, despite its importance, it is not given the attention it deserves.

The third line of the poem, "It never has, for me, a friend," highlights the loneliness and isolation that the butterfly experiences. The butterfly is often seen as a solitary creature, and Dickinson captures this aspect of its nature perfectly in this line.

The fourth line of the poem, "All its ado in this world is for a friendless, mateless, and individual existence," further emphasizes the loneliness of the butterfly. The butterfly's existence is individualistic, and it does not have a mate or a friend to share its life with.

The fifth line of the poem, "It has a little time to play," suggests that the butterfly's life is short-lived. The butterfly's lifespan is often measured in days or weeks, and it spends most of its time playing and enjoying its short life.

The sixth line of the poem, "And capture by the way," suggests that the butterfly is often captured by humans. The butterfly's beauty and delicate nature make it a popular target for collectors, and it is often captured and kept in jars or cages.

The seventh line of the poem, "Nor any time to stay," further emphasizes the fleeting nature of the butterfly's life. The butterfly does not have any time to stay in one place, and it is always on the move.

The eighth line of the poem, "It hastens from the fields of gauze," suggests that the butterfly is always in search of something. The fields of gauze represent the butterfly's natural habitat, and it is always in search of something beyond its current surroundings.

The ninth line of the poem, "Its little figure at the door," suggests that the butterfly is always on the move and is never content with its current situation. The butterfly is always looking for something more, and it is never satisfied with what it has.

The tenth and final line of the poem, "The wisp retires to pretty consolations somewhat new," suggests that the butterfly finds solace in its own existence. Despite its loneliness and isolation, the butterfly finds comfort in its own existence and is content with its short life.

In conclusion, "The Butterfly Obtains" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death through the metaphor of a butterfly. Dickinson portrays the butterfly as a lonely and isolated creature that is often overlooked and not given the attention it deserves. However, despite its short life and fleeting existence, the butterfly finds solace in its own existence and is content with its lot in life. This poem is a testament to the beauty and fragility of life and reminds us to appreciate the little things in life that often go unnoticed.

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