'I send you a decrepit flower' by Emily Dickinson
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I send you a decrepit flower
That nature sent to me
At parting—she was going south
And I designed to stay—
Her motive for the souvenir
If sentiment for me
Or circumstances prudential
Withheld invincibly—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Send You a Decrepit Flower: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson's "I send you a decrepit flower" is a poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and the fragility of life. The poem is a classic in the world of literature and has been the subject of numerous interpretations and analyses. In this paper, we will delve deeper into the poem's symbolism, themes, and literary devices to understand the message that Emily Dickinson was trying to convey to her readers.
Analysis
Form and Structure
The poem comprises four quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is the words that give the poem its depth and meaning. The poem's title, "I send you a decrepit flower," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "decrepit" suggests that the flower is old and worn out, possibly at the end of its life. This sets the stage for the poem's themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the transience of life. The speaker sends the recipient a decrepit flower, which symbolizes the fleeting nature of life. The flower is a metaphor for life, and the fact that it is decrepit suggests that life is short and can fade away at any moment. The poem's tone is melancholic, and the speaker seems to be mourning the loss of something or someone precious.
Love is another theme that runs throughout the poem. The speaker sends the flower to someone they love, and the act of sending the flower is a gesture of love. The flower is a symbol of the love that the speaker feels for the recipient. However, the fact that the flower is decrepit suggests that the love may be fading away, just like the flower.
Symbolism
The flower is the most prominent symbol in the poem, and it represents life, love, and death. The fact that the flower is decrepit suggests that life is fleeting and can end at any moment. The flower's withering petals also symbolize the loss of something or someone precious. The flower's stem, which is still holding on despite the withered petals, symbolizes the strength of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
The act of sending the flower is also symbolic. It represents the effort that the speaker is making to keep the love alive, even though it may be fading away. The act of sending the flower is a gesture of love and a way to communicate the speaker's feelings to the recipient.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson uses several literary devices in the poem to convey its themes and message. The most prominent literary device is imagery. The poem is full of visual imagery that creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The image of the decrepit flower is particularly powerful and captures the poem's central themes.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses is metaphor. The flower is a metaphor for life, love, and death. The withered petals represent the loss of something precious, while the stem symbolizes the strength of love.
The poem's rhyme scheme, ABAB, is a simple and effective way to create unity and coherence in the poem. The rhyme scheme also creates a musical quality to the poem that makes it more enjoyable to read.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that the speaker is mourning the loss of someone they love. The decrepit flower represents the loss of this person or the fading of their love. The act of sending the flower is an attempt to keep the love alive or to communicate the speaker's feelings to the recipient.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the transience of life. The speaker is acknowledging that life is short and can end at any moment. The flower is a symbol of life, and the fact that it is decrepit suggests that life is fragile and fleeting.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's "I send you a decrepit flower" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and the fragility of life. The poem's imagery, symbolism, and literary devices all work together to create a poignant meditation on these themes. The poem's message is universal and timeless, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Send You a Decrepit Flower: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
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 "I Send You a Decrepit Flower," which is a beautiful and poignant piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality.
The poem begins with the speaker sending a "decrepit flower" to their beloved. The flower is described as "faded" and "withered," which suggests that it has lost its beauty and vitality. However, despite its decrepit state, the speaker still sees value in the flower and believes that it can still convey a message of love.
The second stanza of the poem is where the theme of mortality is introduced. The speaker says that the flower is "like myself, a little worn." This line suggests that the speaker is also aging and nearing the end of their life. However, despite their own mortality, the speaker still wants to express their love to their beloved.
In the third stanza, the speaker acknowledges that the flower may not be as beautiful as it once was, but it still holds meaning. The speaker says that the flower "has lived its little day," which suggests that it has fulfilled its purpose and lived its life to the fullest. This line can also be interpreted as a metaphor for life itself. We all have a limited amount of time on this earth, and we must make the most of it.
The fourth stanza is where the theme of loss is introduced. The speaker says that the flower "has perished from the garden," which suggests that it has been removed from its natural environment and is no longer thriving. This line can be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of a loved one. When someone we love dies, they are removed from our lives and are no longer able to thrive alongside us.
The final stanza of the poem is where the theme of love is most prominent. The speaker says that the flower "is not so fair as she was," which suggests that the speaker's beloved may have also aged and lost some of their beauty. However, despite this, the speaker still loves their beloved just as much as they did when they were younger and more beautiful. The final line of the poem, "But it will do," suggests that the speaker believes that their love is enough to sustain them, even in the face of mortality and loss.
Overall, "I Send You a Decrepit Flower" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality. The poem is a reminder that even in the face of aging and death, love can still thrive and bring meaning to our lives. Emily Dickinson's unique style and use of metaphor make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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