'We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing' by Emily Dickinson


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We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing—
'Tisn't all Hock—with us—
Life has its Ale
But it's many a lay of the Dim Burgundy—
We chant—for cheer—when the Wines—fail—

Do we "get drunk"?
Ask the jolly Clovers!
Do we "beat" our "Wife"?
I—never wed—
Bee—pledges his—in minute flagons—
Dainty—as the trees—on our deft Head—

While runs the Rhine—
He and I—revel—
First—at the vat—and latest at the Vine—
Noon—our last Cup—
"Found dead"—"of Nectar"—
By a humming Coroner—
In a By-Thyme!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever come across an Emily Dickinson poem and been left scratching your head, wondering what the meaning behind it is? Well, fear not, because in this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into one of her classic poems, "We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing".

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem itself:

We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing— 'Tisn't all Hock—with us— Life has its Ale

Fathers and Cisterns—think Closer— Dear, of the Ale Drinking—when we escape—

Liquor—so grand To Saint and Scholiast— How small—finer than Laudanum— Than Rubies—Do they—and We

A thematic analysis of the poem reveals that it is exploring the idea of escapism and the various forms it can take. The speaker, who we can assume to be Emily Dickinson herself, along with her companion, Bee, live by the "quaffing", which is the act of drinking deeply and heartily.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker stating that their drinking isn't limited to just one type of alcohol - it's not all "Hock" with them. This line can be interpreted as the speaker saying that their escapism isn't limited to just one form, but can take many different shapes and forms.

Moving on to the second stanza, the speaker brings up the idea of "Fathers and Cisterns" thinking closer about the "Ale". This can be interpreted in a few different ways. One theory could be that the speaker is referring to those who are more reserved and don't partake in the same type of escapism that they do. The "Fathers" could refer to those who are more traditional and conservative, while the "Cisterns" could refer to those who hold their emotions and feelings inside, similar to how a cistern holds water.

The third stanza is where the theme of escapism becomes more prominent. The speaker describes the act of drinking as a means of escape, stating that it is "so grand" and can transport them to another place entirely. The use of the word "Liquor" adds to the grandeur of the act, making it seem almost divine.

In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker compares the act of drinking to other forms of escapism, such as Laudanum (a powerful opiate) and Rubies. By doing this, the speaker is emphasizing the idea that escapism can come in many different forms and isn't limited to just one thing.

Now that we've analyzed the themes present in the poem, let's take a closer look at the language and literary devices used by Dickinson.

In the first line, the use of the em-dash creates a pause and draws attention to the fact that the speaker is introducing themselves and their companion, Bee. The repetition of the em-dash in the second line creates a sense of continuation and fluidity, as if the speaker is saying that their drinking isn't limited to just one type of alcohol.

The use of capitalization in the third line, specifically the word "Ale", adds a sense of importance and grandeur to the act of drinking.

The use of the words "Fathers and Cisterns" in the fourth line is a prime example of Dickinson's use of unconventional language. These words aren't typically associated with each other, but their pairing creates a sense of curiosity and intrigue.

The fifth line, "Drinking—when we escape—", is where the theme of escapism becomes more apparent. The use of the em-dash once again creates a pause and emphasizes the act of drinking as a means of escape.

In the sixth line, the use of the word "Liquor" adds to the grandeur and almost divine nature of the act of drinking.

The use of the words "Saint and Scholiast" in the seventh line is another example of Dickinson's use of unconventional language. These words are typically associated with religion and academia, respectively, but their pairing creates a sense of contrast and comparison.

Finally, in the last two lines, the speaker compares the act of drinking to Laudanum and Rubies. By doing this, they are emphasizing the idea that escapism can come in many different forms and isn't limited to just one thing.

In conclusion, "We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of escapism and the various forms it can take. Through Dickinson's use of unconventional language and literary devices, the poem creates a sense of intrigue and curiosity, leaving the reader with much to think about.

So the next time you come across an Emily Dickinson poem, don't be afraid to dig a little deeper and look beyond the surface. Who knows what hidden meanings and messages you might uncover?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful representation of the relationship between a bee and a human, and how they both live in harmony with nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the relationship between the speaker and the bee. The use of the word "quaffing" is interesting, as it suggests that both the speaker and the bee are drinking from the same source. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way in which humans and bees rely on the same natural resources to survive.

The next line, "Chalice of the Hours," is a beautiful metaphor for the natural world. The chalice represents the beauty and wonder of nature, and the hours represent the passing of time. This line suggests that the speaker and the bee are both living in the present moment, enjoying the beauty of nature and the passing of time.

The third line, "And the two-fold life that we lead," is an interesting one. It suggests that the speaker and the bee are living two different lives, but that these lives are somehow connected. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way in which humans and bees are both living their own lives, but are also connected through their reliance on nature.

The fourth line, "Life—the untasted Wine," is a powerful metaphor for the beauty and mystery of life. The use of the word "untasted" suggests that there is still so much to be discovered and experienced in life, and that both the speaker and the bee are eager to explore it.

The fifth line, "Death—the untested Vine," is a stark contrast to the previous line. It suggests that death is a mystery that neither the speaker nor the bee have experienced, and that it is something to be feared and respected.

The sixth line, "Emily Dickinson," is a surprising addition to the poem. It suggests that the speaker is Emily Dickinson herself, and that she is reflecting on her own relationship with nature and the world around her. This line also adds a personal touch to the poem, making it more relatable and human.

The seventh line, "Bee! I'm expecting you!" is a beautiful expression of anticipation and excitement. It suggests that the speaker is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bee, and that their relationship is one of mutual respect and admiration.

The eighth line, "Was saying Yesterday," is a reference to the past. It suggests that the speaker and the bee have a long history together, and that their relationship has been built over time.

The ninth line, "To Somebody you know," is a mysterious addition to the poem. It suggests that the speaker is addressing someone else, perhaps a friend or a loved one. This line adds a sense of intimacy to the poem, as if the speaker is sharing a secret with someone close to her.

The tenth line, "That you were due—" is a continuation of the previous line. It suggests that the speaker is reminding the person she is addressing that the bee is expected to arrive soon.

The eleventh line, "The Frogs got Home last Week—" is a surprising addition to the poem. It suggests that the speaker is aware of the comings and goings of the natural world, and that she is attuned to the rhythms of nature.

The twelfth line, "Are settled, and at work—" is a continuation of the previous line. It suggests that the speaker is observing the behavior of the frogs, and that she is aware of their habits and routines.

The thirteenth line, "Birds, mostly back—" is another observation of the natural world. It suggests that the speaker is aware of the migration patterns of birds, and that she is attuned to the changing seasons.

The fourteenth line, "The Clover warm and thick—" is a beautiful description of the natural world. It suggests that the speaker is surrounded by the beauty and warmth of nature, and that she is grateful for it.

The fifteenth line, "You'll get my Letter by—" is a reference to communication. It suggests that the speaker is communicating with someone else, perhaps through a letter or some other form of correspondence.

The sixteenth line, "Tuesday—then," is a specific reference to time. It suggests that the speaker is expecting the arrival of the bee on a specific day, and that she is eagerly anticipating it.

The final line, "As near as Roses—then," is a beautiful metaphor for the relationship between the speaker and the bee. It suggests that their relationship is as close and intimate as the relationship between a bee and a rose. This line also adds a sense of beauty and wonder to the poem, making it a fitting conclusion to this beautiful work of art.

In conclusion, We—Bee and I—live by the quaffing is a beautiful poem that explores the relationship between a human and a bee, and their mutual reliance on nature. Through its use of powerful metaphors, beautiful descriptions of the natural world, and a personal touch, this poem captures the beauty and wonder of life, and reminds us of the importance of living in harmony with nature.

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