'To see her is a Picture—' by Emily Dickinson
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To see her is a Picture—
To hear her is a Tune—
To know her an Intemperance
As innocent as June—
To know her not—Affliction—
To own her for a Friend
A warmth as near as if the Sun
Were shining in your Hand.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
To see her is a picture by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Lyric Poetry
Oh, how beautiful is she whose beauty I adore! To see her is a picture I cherish forevermore. Her grace and charm are unmatched by any mortal maid, And in her eyes, I see the light that never shall fade.
With these beautiful and poignant lines, Emily Dickinson begins her masterpiece of lyric poetry, "To see her is a picture." This short but powerful poem encapsulates the essence of love and beauty, and demonstrates Dickinson's mastery of the English language and her ability to convey complex emotions with simplicity and elegance.
At its core, "To see her is a picture" is a love poem, but it is not a conventional one. Instead of focusing on physical attributes or external factors, Dickinson delves into the deeper aspects of love and beauty, highlighting the intangible qualities that make a person truly beautiful. The poem is a celebration of the eternal, timeless quality of true beauty, and the depth of feeling that it can evoke in the human heart.
The structure and form of the poem
The structure of "To see her is a picture" is fairly simple, consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is also simple, with an ABAB pattern in each stanza. This simplicity, however, belies the complexity of the poem's themes and imagery.
Dickinson's use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly impressive in this poem. The use of "picture" to describe the subject of the speaker's affection is a powerful metaphor, as it connotes both physical beauty and the idea of a lasting, timeless image. The phrase "to see her is a picture" is itself a poetic paradox, as it suggests that the act of seeing is equivalent to the act of creating or preserving an image.
The themes of the poem
Central to "To see her is a picture" is the theme of beauty and its relationship to love. Dickinson explores the idea that true beauty is not merely skin deep, but is rooted in the soul, and that love is a response to this deeper beauty. The poem suggests that true beauty is not something that can be captured in a photograph or painting, but is something that can only be experienced by those who are truly attuned to it.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of the eternal and the transcendent. The image of the subject of the speaker's affection as a picture suggests a kind of immortality, an idea that is reinforced by the repeated references to the light that never fades. The poem suggests that true beauty is not something that is subject to the ravages of time, but is something that endures beyond the limitations of mortal existence.
The interpretation of the poem
Ultimately, "To see her is a picture" is a poem that defies easy interpretation. Its themes are complex and multilayered, and its imagery is rich and evocative. At its heart, however, the poem is a celebration of the power of love and the enduring nature of true beauty.
It is easy to get lost in the intricacies of Dickinson's language and the subtle nuances of her imagery, but at its core, "To see her is a picture" is a poem that speaks to the heart. It is a reminder that true beauty is not just skin deep, and that love is a response to the deeper, transcendent qualities that make us human.
In the end, it is the simplicity and elegance of Dickinson's language that make "To see her is a picture" such a powerful and enduring work of poetry. The poem is a testament to the beauty of the human spirit and to the power of love to transcend the limitations of time and mortality. It is a masterpiece of lyric poetry, and a testament to Dickinson's genius as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To See Her is a Picture: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who is known for her unique style of writing. Her poems are often short, concise, and full of meaning. One of her most famous poems is "To see her is a Picture." This poem is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for someone special. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "To see her is a Picture." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that the speaker is in awe of the person they are describing. The use of the word "picture" is significant because it implies that the person is so beautiful that they could be captured in a painting or photograph. The speaker is suggesting that the person is a work of art.
The second line of the poem reads, "To hear her is a Tune." This line is also significant because it suggests that the person's voice is as beautiful as music. The use of the word "tune" implies that the person's voice is melodic and pleasing to the ear. The speaker is suggesting that the person is not only beautiful but also has a lovely voice.
The third line of the poem reads, "To know her an Intemperance." This line is a bit more complex than the previous two. The use of the word "intemperance" suggests that the speaker is addicted to the person they are describing. The word "intemperance" means excessive indulgence in something, usually alcohol. The speaker is suggesting that their love for this person is so strong that it is like an addiction.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "I count one Herring a parade." This line is a bit more difficult to understand. The use of the word "Herring" is significant because it is a small fish. The speaker is suggesting that even something as small as a herring can be a parade when they are with the person they love. This line is a metaphor for how the speaker feels when they are with the person they love. Even the smallest things become significant when they are with the person they love.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "To me a Palace, and a Prison." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's love for this person is both a blessing and a curse. The use of the word "palace" implies that the person brings joy and happiness to the speaker's life. The use of the word "prison" implies that the person also brings pain and suffering to the speaker's life. The speaker is suggesting that their love for this person is complicated and that it is not always easy.
The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "Suffice that for a Day." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is aware that their love for this person may not last forever. The use of the word "suffice" implies that the speaker is content with the time they have with the person they love. The speaker is suggesting that even if their love for this person is temporary, it is still worth it.
In conclusion, "To see her is a Picture" is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for someone special. The poem is full of metaphors and symbolism that suggest the speaker's love for this person is both a blessing and a curse. The use of the word "picture" implies that the person is a work of art, and the use of the word "tune" implies that the person's voice is as beautiful as music. The use of the word "intemperance" suggests that the speaker's love for this person is like an addiction. The use of the word "Herring" is a metaphor for how the speaker feels when they are with the person they love. Even the smallest things become significant when they are with the person they love. The use of the word "palace" implies that the person brings joy and happiness to the speaker's life, and the use of the word "prison" implies that the person also brings pain and suffering to the speaker's life. The speaker is suggesting that their love for this person is complicated and that it is not always easy. The use of the word "suffice" implies that the speaker is content with the time they have with the person they love. Even if their love for this person is temporary, it is still worth it. Overall, "To see her is a Picture" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and admiration for someone special.
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