'Unworthy of her Breast' by Emily Dickinson
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Unworthy of her Breast
Though by that scathing test
What Soul survive?
By her exacting light
How counterfeit the white
We chiefly have!
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Unworthy of her Breast: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever read a poem that left you in a state of awe? That's how I felt after reading Emily Dickinson's "Unworthy of her Breast." This poem is a true masterpiece that showcases Dickinson's unique style and her ability to express complex emotions in just a few lines.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's first read through it:
Unworthy of her breast,
The place whereon I stood
Was it of such a nature
As Thee, vicarious God?
The height of notoriety
These altitudes obscure
Inheriting myself
To her of lovelier air,
Was tenderer esteem
But lofty comforts there
Departed to esteem,
As worthy of despair.
At first glance, this poem may seem like a simple question about worthiness. However, upon closer examination, we can see that it is much more than that.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker questioning whether they are "unworthy of her breast." This immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is one of self-doubt and insecurity. The speaker is unsure of their place in the world and whether they are deserving of the love and affection they receive.
The second line, "The place whereon I stood / Was it of such a nature / As Thee, vicarious God?" introduces the theme of religion. The speaker is questioning whether they are worthy enough to stand in the presence of God. This ties into Dickinson's broader theme of the relationship between man and God, which is a common theme in her poetry.
The third and fourth lines, "The height of notoriety / These altitudes obscure" suggest that the speaker is someone of prominence or fame. However, they question whether their accomplishments are truly worthy when compared to God's greatness.
The fifth and sixth lines, "Inheriting myself / To her of lovelier air," introduce the concept of love. The speaker is in love with someone who they believe is more deserving of love than they are. This creates a sense of inferiority in the speaker, who believes that they are not good enough for their loved one.
The seventh and eighth lines, "Was tenderer esteem / But lofty comforts there" suggest that the speaker's love for their partner is tender and gentle, but their own self-doubt prevents them from truly enjoying the relationship.
The final two lines, "Departed to esteem, / As worthy of despair," suggest that the speaker's insecurity has caused them to lose faith in themselves. They believe that they are not worthy of love or happiness, and this has led them to a state of despair.
Interpretation
So, what does this poem mean? At its core, "Unworthy of her Breast" is a meditation on the human condition. It explores our insecurities and our doubts about our place in the world. The speaker is someone who is struggling with their own worthiness, and who is unsure of their place in the grand scheme of things.
The poem also touches on themes of love and religion. The speaker's love for their partner is tender and gentle, but their own self-doubt prevents them from truly enjoying the relationship. Similarly, their relationship with God is one of uncertainty and questioning, as they struggle to reconcile their own sense of worthiness with the greatness of God.
Overall, "Unworthy of her Breast" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal human experience. It reminds us that we all struggle with feelings of inadequacy and doubt, but that ultimately we must find the strength to believe in ourselves and our own worthiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Unworthy of her Breast" is a masterful poem that explores themes of self-doubt, love, and religion. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a powerful meditation on the human condition that speaks to readers of all ages and backgrounds. This poem is a true masterpiece, and it is no wonder that Dickinson is considered one of the greatest poets of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Unworthy of her Breast: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple words. Her poem "Unworthy of her Breast" is a masterpiece that explores the theme of love and the pain of unrequited love.
The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker expressing their unworthiness of the love of the person they desire. The second stanza delves deeper into the speaker's feelings, with the use of vivid imagery to convey the depth of their pain. The final stanza concludes the poem with a sense of resignation, as the speaker accepts that they will never be able to win the love of the person they desire.
The first line of the poem, "Unworthy of her breast," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker acknowledges their own unworthiness of the love of the person they desire, setting up the theme of unrequited love that runs throughout the poem. The use of the word "breast" is significant, as it suggests a deep emotional connection between the speaker and the person they desire.
The second line of the poem, "As parting grace, sweet lips bestow," introduces the idea of a farewell kiss. The use of the word "grace" suggests that the kiss is a gesture of kindness or mercy, rather than a genuine expression of love. The word "sweet" adds a bittersweet quality to the kiss, suggesting that it is both pleasurable and painful for the speaker.
The third line of the poem, "It dropt like honey on my tongue," uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's experience of the kiss. The use of the word "honey" suggests that the kiss was sweet and pleasurable, but also implies a sense of stickiness or heaviness. The use of the word "dropt" suggests that the kiss was unexpected or sudden, adding to the sense of surprise or shock that the speaker feels.
The final line of the first stanza, "But spurned by that diviner one," introduces the idea of rejection. The use of the word "spurned" suggests a deliberate rejection, rather than a simple lack of interest. The use of the phrase "diviner one" suggests that the person the speaker desires is somehow superior or more worthy than they are, adding to the sense of unworthiness that the speaker feels.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "The fever of a subtle flame." This line introduces the idea of passion, with the use of the word "fever" suggesting a sense of intensity or urgency. The use of the phrase "subtle flame" suggests that the passion is not overt or obvious, but rather a hidden or secret desire.
The second line of the second stanza, "No bonfire, but a taper tame," contrasts the idea of a subtle flame with the image of a bonfire. The use of the word "taper" suggests a small or insignificant flame, adding to the sense of the speaker's unworthiness. The use of the word "tame" suggests a lack of passion or intensity, further emphasizing the speaker's sense of inadequacy.
The third line of the second stanza, "Was fanned too close to die," introduces the idea of danger. The use of the word "fanned" suggests that the passion was deliberately encouraged or nurtured, but the use of the phrase "too close to die" suggests that it was ultimately unsustainable. The use of the word "die" suggests a sense of finality or loss, adding to the sense of the speaker's pain.
The final line of the second stanza, "Yet I survive the blistering sky," uses vivid imagery to convey the depth of the speaker's pain. The use of the phrase "blistering sky" suggests a sense of intense heat or discomfort, adding to the sense of the speaker's suffering. The use of the word "survive" suggests that the speaker has endured a great deal of pain, but has not been destroyed by it.
The final stanza of the poem begins with the line, "And now, with folded hands, I lie." This line introduces the idea of resignation, with the use of the phrase "folded hands" suggesting a sense of acceptance or surrender. The use of the word "lie" suggests a sense of stillness or passivity, adding to the sense of the speaker's resignation.
The second line of the final stanza, "And look upon the sea and sky," introduces the idea of nature. The use of the phrase "sea and sky" suggests a sense of vastness or infinity, adding to the sense of the speaker's smallness or insignificance. The use of the word "look" suggests a sense of contemplation or reflection, adding to the sense of the speaker's introspection.
The third line of the final stanza, "And feel content, if not to die," introduces the idea of contentment. The use of the word "content" suggests a sense of peace or satisfaction, despite the speaker's pain. The use of the phrase "if not to die" suggests that the speaker has accepted their fate, but is not necessarily happy about it.
The final line of the poem, "At least to know that I am nigh," concludes the poem with a sense of connection. The use of the phrase "nigh" suggests a sense of proximity or closeness, adding to the sense of the speaker's emotional connection to the person they desire. The use of the word "know" suggests a sense of certainty or understanding, adding to the sense of the speaker's acceptance of their situation.
In conclusion, "Unworthy of her Breast" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's poetry, exploring the theme of love and the pain of unrequited love. Through the use of vivid imagery and simple language, Dickinson conveys the depth of the speaker's emotions, from their sense of unworthiness to their resignation and acceptance of their fate. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and a powerful expression of the human experience of love and loss.
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