'Despair's advantage is achieved' by Emily Dickinson


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Despair's advantage is achieved
By suffering—Despair—
To be assisted of Reverse
One must Reverse have bore—

The Worthiness of Suffering like
The Worthiness of Death
Is ascertained by tasting—

As can no other Mouth

Of Savors—make us conscious—
As did ourselves partake—
Affliction feels impalpable
Until Ourselves are struck—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Despair's Advantage is Achieved: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you've stirred our souls with your poignant poetry! And "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is no exception. This classic poem has been studied and analyzed by scholars and students alike for generations, and for good reason. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by the great poet.

The Poem: An Overview

Before we dive into the analysis, let's read the poem in full:

Despair's advantage is achieved,
When Hopelessness is new;
When Confidence is hardest,
Height's predominant view.

The Height that Every Dwarf we meet
Puts forth peculiar claims
Inherits it the White as well —
You take it for your "reems."

At first glance, this poem seems simple and straightforward. But as with any Dickinson poem, there's more to it than meets the eye. Let's break it down.

Theme: Despair and Hopelessness

The title of the poem itself gives us a hint about the theme: despair. But what does it mean to achieve despair's advantage? Dickinson seems to suggest that there's a certain benefit to being hopeless, especially when it's new. The first stanza sets the tone:

Despair's advantage is achieved,
When Hopelessness is new;
When Confidence is hardest,
Height's predominant view.

The speaker tells us that despair's advantage is achieved when hopelessness is new. In other words, when we first experience despair, we're able to see things clearly. We're not clouded by false hope or illusions of confidence. And in this clarity, we're able to see the truth: that we're at the bottom.

The second half of the stanza reinforces this idea by saying that "Height's predominant view" is the hardest to achieve when confidence is at its lowest. In other words, it's hard to see the heights when you're at the bottom. This theme of despair and hopelessness is crucial to understanding the rest of the poem.

Symbolism: The Height and the Dwarf

The second stanza of the poem introduces two symbols: the Height and the Dwarf.

The Height that Every Dwarf we meet
Puts forth peculiar claims
Inherits it the White as well —
You take it for your "reems."

The Height is a symbol for success, achievement, and greatness. The Dwarf, on the other hand, represents those who are small, weak, and insignificant. The poem tells us that every Dwarf we meet puts forth peculiar claims to the Height. In other words, everyone wants to be successful and achieve greatness, even if they don't have the ability to do so.

But the line "Inherits it the White as well" is where things get interesting. The White could be a symbol for purity, innocence, or even God. By saying that the Dwarf inherits the White, Dickinson is suggesting that even the small and insignificant have a claim to greatness. You take it for your "reems" means that we all have the desire to achieve greatness, no matter how small we are.

Literary Devices: Rhyme and Meter

One of the things that makes Dickinson's poetry so unique is her use of rhyme and meter. "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is no exception. The poem has an AABBCC rhyme scheme, which gives it a sing-song quality. But beneath the surface, there's a deeper meaning to the rhyme pattern.

The AABB couplets in the first stanza give the poem a sense of stability and order. This reflects the idea that despair's advantage is achieved when we're able to see things clearly. There's a sense of order to the chaos of despair.

But the second stanza is where things get interesting. The rhyme pattern changes to ABAB. This gives the second stanza a sense of instability and chaos. The change in rhyme pattern reflects the idea that even the desire for greatness can be chaotic and unpredictable.

Interpretation: The Human Condition

So what does it all mean? As with any Dickinson poem, there's no one answer. But to me, "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is about the human condition. We all experience despair and hopelessness at some point in our lives. And in those moments, we're able to see things clearly. We're able to recognize our own limitations and see the truth about ourselves.

But despite our limitations, we all have a desire for greatness. We all want to achieve the Height, even if we're just Dwarfs. And in that desire, there's chaos and unpredictability. We can never predict who will achieve greatness and who won't.

In the end, "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is a reminder of our own mortality and the fragility of our existence. But it's also a celebration of the human spirit and our desire for greatness, no matter how small we are.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is a classic poem that speaks to the human condition. With its themes of despair and hopelessness, symbols of the Height and the Dwarf, and unique use of rhyme and meter, the poem reminds us of the fragility of our existence and the chaos of our desire for greatness. Emily Dickinson continues to inspire us with her timeless poetry, and "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is no exception.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Despair's Advantage is Achieved: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems, "Despair's Advantage is Achieved," is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the ways in which we cope with the challenges and struggles of life. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary techniques to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "Despair's advantage is achieved," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "despair" is a powerful one, evoking feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and desperation. However, the use of the word "advantage" is unexpected, suggesting that there may be some benefit to experiencing despair. This paradoxical statement sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea that even in our darkest moments, there may be some glimmer of hope or opportunity for growth.

The second line of the poem, "The peril finished, fresh renown," further develops this idea. The word "peril" suggests that the speaker has just emerged from a difficult or dangerous situation, and the phrase "fresh renown" implies that they have gained some sort of recognition or acclaim as a result. This could be interpreted in a number of ways - perhaps the speaker has overcome a personal struggle and gained a newfound sense of self-worth, or maybe they have achieved some sort of external success after a period of hardship. Regardless, the line suggests that there is some sort of reward for enduring difficult times.

The third and fourth lines of the poem, "Fame is the fragrance of heroic deeds, / The jasmine of the mind," continue to develop this theme of reward and recognition. The word "fame" suggests that the speaker has achieved some sort of public recognition or acclaim, and the metaphor of "jasmine" implies that this recognition is a sweet and pleasant thing. However, the use of the word "heroic" suggests that this recognition is not just handed out freely - it must be earned through some sort of struggle or hardship. This reinforces the idea that there is some sort of benefit to experiencing despair, as it can lead to personal growth and the achievement of great things.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "Aromatic amplitudes a soul / That knows it cannot die," introduce a new theme - that of immortality. The word "amplitudes" suggests a vastness or expansiveness, and the phrase "a soul / That knows it cannot die" implies that the speaker believes in some sort of afterlife or eternal existence. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "aromatic," which suggests a pleasant and enduring fragrance. Taken together, these lines suggest that even in the face of despair and hardship, there is some sort of eternal reward or benefit to be gained.

The final two lines of the poem, "This is the measure of my worth - / While time is serving me," bring all of these themes together in a powerful conclusion. The phrase "measure of my worth" suggests that the speaker has achieved some sort of personal validation or sense of self-worth as a result of their struggles. However, the use of the phrase "while time is serving me" implies that this validation is temporary - that it is only valid for as long as the speaker is alive. This reinforces the idea that there is some sort of eternal reward or benefit to be gained from enduring hardship, as it suggests that the true measure of our worth lies beyond this mortal life.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs a number of literary techniques to convey her message. One of the most notable is her use of metaphor and symbolism. The metaphor of "fame" as the "jasmine of the mind" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that recognition and acclaim can be a sweet and pleasant thing. The use of the word "aromatic" to describe the "amplitudes" of the soul is also notable, as it reinforces the idea that there is some sort of enduring reward to be gained from experiencing despair.

Another notable technique is Dickinson's use of paradox and contradiction. The idea that "despair's advantage is achieved" is a paradoxical statement, as it suggests that there may be some benefit to experiencing despair. Similarly, the idea that recognition and acclaim must be earned through struggle and hardship is a contradiction, as it suggests that the path to success is not an easy one.

In conclusion, "Despair's Advantage is Achieved" is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the ways in which we cope with the challenges and struggles of life. Through her use of metaphor, symbolism, and literary techniques, Emily Dickinson conveys a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that even in our darkest moments, there may be some glimmer of hope or opportunity for growth. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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