'Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!' by Emily Dickinson
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Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!
Better, to be found,
If one care to, that is,
The Fox fits the Hound—
Good to know, and not tell,
Best, to know and tell,
Can one find the rare Ear
Not too dull—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Good to Hide, and Hear 'em Hunt!
Emily Dickinson's Chilling and Provocative Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, known for her enigmatic and unconventional style. Her poem "Good to Hide, and Hear 'em Hunt!" is no exception. This 16-line work is a complex meditation on the themes of fear, vulnerability, and the natural world. In this literary criticism, we will explore the many layers of meaning in this haunting and intriguing poem.
First published in 1896, "Good to Hide, and Hear 'em Hunt!" is a poem that is both beguiling and provocative. It is a poem that tells a story, but it is also a poem that invites the reader to consider some of the deeper questions about life and death, safety and security, and the nature of our relationship to the world around us.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis and interpretation of this poem, let us first examine the text itself. Here is the poem in its entirety:
Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!
Better, to be found,
If one care to,
Better, to be lost,
Than to be found and be
Pleased.
Hide, and hear 'em hunt!
Let us keep the house.
"Hunting" is a term often associated with violence and aggression. But in this poem, we sense that there is something more primal and elemental at work. The poem conjures up images of a chase, of a hunt, of a primal struggle between predator and prey. But it is also a poem that is deeply rooted in the human experience. It speaks to our fear of vulnerability and our desire for safety and protection.
Analysis and Interpretation
Let us now take a closer look at the poem and explore some of the many layers of meaning that lie beneath the surface.
The Title
The title of the poem is deceptively simple. It is a phrase that could be taken at face value, as a description of a hunting scene. But on closer examination, we can see that there is more going on here. The phrase "good to hide" suggests a desire for safety and protection. The phrase "hear 'em hunt" implies a voyeuristic pleasure in watching the pursuit. Taken together, we get a sense of the complex relationship between fear and desire that is at the heart of this poem.
The First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the rest of the work. It presents us with two choices: to hide or to be found. The words "good to hide" suggest that hiding is the safer option. But the second line, "better, to be found," offers a counterpoint. It suggests that there is something exhilarating and satisfying about being discovered.
This tension between safety and risk, between fear and desire, is a central theme of the poem. It asks us to consider the question of what we truly want from life: safety or adventure, comfort or excitement.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza of the poem is shorter than the first, but it is no less powerful. It is a call to action, a command to "hide, and hear 'em hunt!" The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea that there is pleasure to be had in watching the chase.
But there is more to the second stanza than meets the eye. The line "let us keep the house" suggests that the speaker is not just observing the hunt, but is actively participating in it. The house becomes a symbol of safety and protection, but it is also a place from which the hunt can be observed.
The Final Lines
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic. The phrase "better, to be lost" suggests a desire to disappear, to become invisible. But the final line, "than to be found and be / pleased," complicates this desire. It suggests that there is something unsatisfying about being discovered and pleased.
Taken together, the final lines of the poem offer a powerful commentary on the human experience. They suggest that we are always seeking something, but that the things we seek are not always what we truly want. Safety and security are important, but they can be suffocating. Adventure and excitement are thrilling, but they can also be dangerous.
Conclusion
"Good to Hide, and Hear 'em Hunt!" is a poem that is both chilling and provocative. It speaks to our deepest fears and desires, and it asks us to consider the complex relationship between safety and risk. Through its enigmatic and unconventional style, it invites us to explore some of the deeper questions about what it means to be human.
This is a poem that is worth reading and re-reading, as its meaning and significance continue to unfold with each new encounter. Dickinson's work is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the mysteries of the human experience, and "Good to Hide, and Hear 'em Hunt!" is a prime example of this power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt! is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem begins with the line "Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is expressing their excitement at the prospect of hiding and listening to others hunt. This line is also an example of Dickinson's use of unconventional capitalization, as she capitalizes the first letter of each word in the line.
The second line of the poem, "Better, to be found, if one," is a continuation of the first line, but with a slight twist. The speaker suggests that it is even better to be found by the hunters, as if they are playing a game of hide-and-seek. This line also features Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation, as she ends the line with a comma instead of a period.
The third line of the poem, "Than, to stay, 'tis safer," is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker suggests that it is safer to be found by the hunters than to stay hidden. This line is an example of Dickinson's use of unconventional syntax, as she rearranges the words in the sentence to create a more poetic effect.
The fourth line of the poem, "Death, or chivalry, the option," is where the poem's theme becomes clear. The speaker is suggesting that the choice between death and chivalry is the only option when faced with the hunters. This line is an example of Dickinson's use of metaphor, as she compares the choice between death and chivalry to a game of hide-and-seek.
The fifth line of the poem, "Nature, or God, the difference," is where the poem's religious undertones become apparent. The speaker suggests that the difference between nature and God is the only thing that matters when faced with the hunters. This line is an example of Dickinson's use of symbolism, as she uses nature and God to represent different aspects of life.
The sixth and final line of the poem, "Boys that "woo" and "threaten"-" is where the poem's historical context becomes clear. Dickinson was writing during a time when women were expected to be submissive and obedient to men. The speaker is suggesting that the boys who are hunting are both wooing and threatening, which could be interpreted as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women.
Overall, Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt! is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of death, chivalry, nature, God, and gender roles. Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, syntax, metaphor, and symbolism creates a unique and poetic effect that is both beautiful and haunting. This poem is a perfect example of why Dickinson is considered one of the greatest poets of all time, and why her work continues to be studied and admired to this day.
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