'Too scanty 'twas to die for you' by Emily Dickinson
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Too scanty 'twas to die for you,
The merest Greek could that.
The living, Sweet, is costlier—
I offer even that—
The Dying, is a trifle, past,
But living, this include
The dying multifold—without
The Respite to be dead.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Too scanty 'twas to die for you: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that left you pondering its meaning and significance long after you finished it? Well, that's exactly what Emily Dickinson's "Too scanty 'twas to die for you" does. This poem is a masterpiece in its own right, and its intricate use of language and powerful imagery make it one of Dickinson's most thought-provoking works. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve deep into the poem's meaning and symbolism, exploring the themes of love, death, and the ambiguity of life.
Overview of the Poem
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's take a quick look at its structure and form. "Too scanty 'twas to die for you" is a short poem, consisting of only three stanzas, each with two lines. The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme, with the first and second lines of each stanza rhyming with each other.
Too scanty 'twas to die for you, The merest picture of the crowd; Our little secret, dusty thing, Nobody knows we know.
And yet, after all, it may be, A larger gift to give my friend, Ignorant of poverty, Whose wealth was of the heart.
He gave it slowly, with a look, Like landscapes that the painter draws, For distant friend, or lover's grace, Still charging for our news.
In its brevity, the poem packs a powerful punch, with each line contributing to the overall meaning and message.
First Stanza: Love and Death
Let's start with the first stanza:
Too scanty 'twas to die for you, The merest picture of the crowd; Our little secret, dusty thing, Nobody knows we know.
At first glance, the opening line seems to be a statement of regret - something was not enough to die for the person the speaker is addressing. But as we read on, we realize that there's more to it than that. The second line, "The merest picture of the crowd," implies that the thing the speaker is referring to is small and insignificant, lost among the masses. This "little secret, dusty thing" is something that nobody else knows about, something private and intimate between the speaker and the person they address.
So what is this thing that's "too scanty 'twas to die for you?" The answer lies in the ambiguity of the poem. It could be a physical object, like a locket or a lock of hair. Or it could be an intangible thing, like a feeling or a memory. Either way, it's clear that this thing is something that's dear to the speaker, something that's intimately connected to their love for the person they address.
The use of the word "die" is interesting here. It suggests that the speaker is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their beloved, but whatever this thing is, it's not worthy of such a sacrifice. The speaker is torn between their love and their sense of self-preservation. They want to give everything to the person they love, but they also want to hold onto something for themselves.
The first stanza sets up the central themes of the poem - love, death, and the ambiguous nature of both.
Second Stanza: Giving and Receiving
Moving on to the second stanza:
And yet, after all, it may be, A larger gift to give my friend, Ignorant of poverty, Whose wealth was of the heart.
Here, the speaker seems to be reflecting on their earlier statement about the "scanty" thing not being worth dying for. They suggest that, in fact, it may be a larger gift to give this thing to their friend, who is "ignorant of poverty" - someone who values things of the heart more than material possessions.
The use of the word "ignorant" is interesting here. It suggests that the friend is not aware of their poverty, or perhaps doesn't care about it. They have a wealth that's more valuable than money - a wealth of love and friendship.
The second stanza explores the theme of giving and receiving, and the idea that sometimes the smallest things can be the most valuable.
Third Stanza: Art and Communication
Finally, let's take a look at the third stanza:
He gave it slowly, with a look, Like landscapes that the painter draws, For distant friend, or lover's grace, Still charging for our news.
This stanza is the most enigmatic of the three, with its use of complex metaphors and imagery. At first, it's unclear who "he" is - is it the friend from the previous stanza, or someone else entirely? And what did he give slowly, and with a look like a landscape painter?
As with the rest of the poem, the meaning here is open to interpretation. The speaker seems to be suggesting that the act of giving is like a work of art, something that's done slowly and with great care. The reference to landscapes and distant friends or lovers suggests that this act of giving is a way of communicating across space and time, of bridging distances and connecting people.
The final line, "Still charging for our news," is perhaps the most puzzling. It could be a reference to the way that artists charge for their work, or it could be a comment on the way that communication always comes with a cost - whether it's financial or emotional.
Conclusion
"Too scanty 'twas to die for you" is a poem that rewards careful reading and analysis. Its brevity and ambiguity make it a work of art that's open to multiple interpretations, and its themes of love, death, and the value of small things are universal and timeless.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we've explored the poem's structure and form, as well as its central themes and motifs. But ultimately, the beauty of this poem lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions and to leave the reader with a sense of wonder and mystery. It's a poem that invites us to reflect on the nature of love and the complexity of human relationships, and to find meaning in the smallest things.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Too scanty 'twas to die for you: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers with their depth and complexity. One of her most famous poems, "Too scanty 'twas to die for you," is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the human condition. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the line "Too scanty 'twas to die for you," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "scanty" suggests something that is insufficient or inadequate, and the phrase "to die for you" implies a willingness to sacrifice oneself for someone else. The juxtaposition of these two ideas creates a sense of tension and conflict, as if the speaker is struggling with the idea of giving everything they have for someone who may not be worth it.
As the poem continues, we see the speaker grappling with their feelings of love and devotion. They describe their love as "a little overmuch," suggesting that it is intense and overwhelming. However, they also acknowledge that their love is not reciprocated, saying "You took my heart a winter's day, And hid it in your bosom." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the speaker's love has been rejected and hidden away, leaving them feeling lost and alone.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, she describes the speaker's heart as "a little rose," which is a powerful symbol of love and beauty. However, she also uses darker imagery to suggest the pain and suffering that the speaker is experiencing. For example, she describes the speaker's heart as "a little rose, And, oh, it died for me!" This line is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker's love has caused them so much pain that it has killed a part of them.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of mortality. The speaker acknowledges that their love is not enough to sustain them, saying "I could not die with you, For one must wait To shut the other's gaze down." This line suggests that the speaker is aware of their own mortality, and that they cannot die with their loved one because they must wait for the other to pass first. This idea is further reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which read "You could not keep my heart at home, For he it was that died." These lines suggest that the speaker's love has caused them to lose a part of themselves, and that they are now facing their own mortality alone.
In terms of language, Dickinson's use of repetition and rhyme is particularly effective in this poem. The repetition of the phrase "too scanty 'twas to die for you" creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, while also emphasizing the central theme of the poem. Similarly, the use of rhyme throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence, tying the different lines and ideas together.
Overall, "Too scanty 'twas to die for you" is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and complex themes, it speaks to the universal human desire for love and connection, while also acknowledging the pain and suffering that can come with these emotions. As such, it remains a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
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