'To tell the Beauty would decrease' by Emily Dickinson


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To tell the Beauty would decrease
To state the Spell demean—
There is a syllable-less Sea
Of which it is the sign—
My will endeavors for its word
And fails, but entertains
A Rapture as of Legacies—
Of introspective Mines—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Tell the Beauty Would Decrease: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem

Wow, this poem by Emily Dickinson is a masterpiece. It's so rich and layered, full of beautiful imagery and intricate metaphors. Let's dive in and explore its depths.

The Poem

First, let's read through the poem in its entirety:

To tell the Beauty would decrease— Not knowing how immense it is— We know that it is common as we breathe— And will be till our gaze retires For nature paid her lavish salary— And never withheld the dawn from her Whose cheek, nor stopped the plenteous hair Of her white bosom to engarland.

Initial Impressions

Right off the bat, we can tell that this poem is about beauty. But it's not just any kind of beauty—it's a beauty that is so immense that it cannot be fully described or captured. Dickinson is saying that even attempting to describe this beauty would only serve to diminish it.

What is this beauty, though? Dickinson seems to be referring to nature itself, as she mentions the dawn and the white bosom of the earth. And yet, there's more to it than that. The language she uses is almost reverent, as though she's describing something divine.

The Immensity of Beauty

Let's take a closer look at the line, "Not knowing how immense it is." Dickinson is saying that we can't truly comprehend the vastness of this beauty. It's beyond our ability to fully grasp.

But why is that? What makes this beauty so immense? Well, let's consider the next line: "We know that it is common as we breathe." Ah, here's a clue. This beauty is all around us, so much a part of our everyday lives that we don't even realize it.

Think about it. How often do you stop and really appreciate the natural world around you? How often do you notice the way the light filters through the leaves of a tree or the way a flower's petals catch the sunlight? We take all of this for granted, but Dickinson is urging us to stop and really see the beauty that's right in front of us.

Nature's Generosity

The next few lines of the poem really drive home the idea that nature is incredibly generous in its beauty. Dickinson says that nature has paid a "lavish salary" to the earth, as though it's a grand benefactor. And it's true—nature provides us with everything we need to sustain ourselves, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.

But Dickinson isn't just talking about the practical aspects of nature. She's also referring to the sheer beauty of it all. Nature never withholds the dawn or the engarlanding of its white bosom. It's always there, always giving, always beautiful.

The Power of Language

And yet, despite all of this, Dickinson still maintains that trying to describe this beauty would only diminish it. Why is that?

Well, language is a tricky thing. We use words to try and capture our experiences, but often fall short. Words can't fully convey the beauty of a sunset or the feeling of the wind in your hair. They can hint at it, sure, but they can never fully capture it.

In a way, Dickinson is saying that this beauty is beyond words. It's something that we experience on a deeper level, something that touches our souls. And when we try to put it into words, we risk losing some of that magic.

Conclusion

So what can we take away from this poem? Well, for one thing, we should all strive to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around us. It's all too easy to take it for granted, but Dickinson is reminding us that it's truly something special.

But more than that, I think Dickinson is urging us to recognize the limitations of language. Yes, words are powerful, but they can only do so much. Sometimes, it's better to just experience something and let it wash over you, rather than trying to put it into words.

Overall, this poem is a beautiful meditation on the immensity of beauty and the power of language. It's a reminder to appreciate the world around us and to recognize the limitations of our words. Thank you, Emily Dickinson, for your timeless wisdom.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Tell the Beauty Would Decrease: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "To Tell the Beauty Would Decrease," which explores the idea of the ineffability of beauty. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson captures the essence of beauty and its elusive nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "To tell the Beauty would decrease." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the central theme of the poem. The speaker suggests that beauty is something that cannot be fully expressed or captured in words. The use of the word "decrease" implies that beauty is something that can be diminished or lost if it is attempted to be described or explained.

The second line of the poem reads, "My Lord, is Beauty, such need not be told." Here, the speaker addresses a higher power, referring to God as "My Lord." The speaker suggests that beauty is a divine quality that does not need to be explained or described. The use of the word "need" implies that beauty is self-evident and does not require any justification or explanation.

In the third line, the speaker says, "Is beauty then a perishable food?" Here, the speaker poses a question about the nature of beauty. The use of the word "perishable" suggests that beauty is something that can be lost or destroyed. The metaphor of beauty as food implies that beauty is something that nourishes the soul and provides sustenance.

The fourth line reads, "The stars, their Stations, in the Sky." Here, the speaker uses the image of the stars in the sky to illustrate the idea of beauty. The stars are a natural wonder that inspires awe and wonder in people. The use of the word "stations" suggests that the stars have a fixed place in the sky, and they are a constant source of beauty.

In the fifth line, the speaker says, "The Seasons, Seas, and all the rest." Here, the speaker expands on the idea of beauty by including other natural wonders such as the seasons and the seas. The use of the word "all" suggests that beauty is all-encompassing and can be found in every aspect of nature.

The sixth line reads, "Are things which cannot be expressed." Here, the speaker reiterates the central theme of the poem, which is the ineffability of beauty. The use of the word "expressed" suggests that beauty is something that cannot be fully captured or described in words.

In the seventh line, the speaker says, "But, seeing, is believing." Here, the speaker suggests that beauty is something that can only be experienced through sight. The use of the phrase "seeing is believing" implies that beauty is something that must be witnessed firsthand to be fully appreciated.

The eighth line reads, "And, what we do not see, we know." Here, the speaker suggests that beauty is something that can be felt even if it is not visible. The use of the word "know" implies that beauty is something that can be understood on a deeper level.

In the ninth line, the speaker says, "And, what we know, we cannot say." Here, the speaker reiterates the idea that beauty is something that cannot be fully expressed in words. The use of the word "cannot" suggests that beauty is something that is beyond the limitations of language.

The tenth line reads, "So, clasp the Casket, on the Mound." Here, the speaker uses the image of a casket on a mound to illustrate the idea of beauty being something that is buried or hidden. The use of the word "clasp" suggests that beauty is something that must be protected and preserved.

In the eleventh line, the speaker says, "Myself can overtake no more." Here, the speaker suggests that beauty is something that cannot be possessed or owned. The use of the word "overtake" implies that beauty is something that is constantly moving and changing.

The twelfth line reads, "With You, Miss, in the Woods of Grief." Here, the speaker addresses a specific person, referred to as "Miss." The use of the phrase "in the woods of grief" suggests that the speaker and Miss are experiencing a difficult time and are seeking solace in nature.

In the thirteenth line, the speaker says, "No Man had known a Paradise." Here, the speaker suggests that beauty is something that is beyond human comprehension. The use of the word "Paradise" implies that beauty is something that is heavenly and divine.

The final line of the poem reads, "And Heaven, is a different thing." Here, the speaker suggests that beauty is something that is beyond the earthly realm. The use of the word "Heaven" implies that beauty is something that is transcendent and divine.

In conclusion, "To Tell the Beauty Would Decrease" is a profound and thought-provoking poem that explores the ineffability of beauty. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphors, Emily Dickinson captures the essence of beauty and its elusive nature. The poem suggests that beauty is something that cannot be fully expressed or captured in words and is beyond human comprehension. Dickinson's poem reminds us of the power and wonder of nature and the beauty that surrounds us every day.

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