'It would not know if it were spurned' by Emily Dickinson
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It would not know if it were spurned,
This gallant little flower—
How therefore safe to be a flower
If one would tamper there.
To enter, it would not aspire—
But may it not despair
That it is not a Cavalier,
To dare and perish there?
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
It would not know if it were spurned by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism
Oh, Emily Dickinson! What a poet she was! Her poems are a treasure trove of literary gems that continue to captivate readers even today. And among her many masterpieces, "It would not know if it were spurned" is a shining example of her poetic prowess.
But what makes this poem so special? Why does it continue to resonate with readers even after all these years? Let's dive in and explore this literary gem in detail.
Background and Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's important to understand the background and context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a 19th-century American poet who lived a mostly reclusive life. She wrote over 1,800 poems, most of which were not published during her lifetime.
"It would not know if it were spurned" was written in 1861, during a time of great upheaval in America. The country was on the brink of civil war, and tensions were high. This poem reflects Dickinson's own struggles with love and rejection, as well as the wider social and political climate of the time.
Form and Structure
One of the first things that strikes the reader about this poem is its form and structure. It is written in four stanzas, each consisting of two quatrains. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, CDCD, EFEG, HIHI, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.
But what does all this mean? Well, let's break it down. The ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of symmetry and balance, while the iambic tetrameter gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is easy to read and remember. The use of quatrains also makes the poem more structured and organized.
Interpretation
Now that we've looked at the form and structure of the poem, let's dive into its meaning and interpretation.
The title of the poem, "It would not know if it were spurned," sets the tone for what is to follow. The "it" in question refers to love or affection, and the poem explores what it would be like for love to exist without the knowledge of rejection.
In the first stanza, Dickinson writes:
It would not know if it were spurned,
This gallant little flower—
How therefore safe to be a flower
If one could only be sure
Here, the "gallant little flower" represents love, and the speaker muses about how safe and secure it would be to be a flower that doesn't experience rejection. The speaker is exploring the idea of innocence and the desire to be free from the pain and hurt that comes with rejection.
In the second stanza, the speaker further explores the idea of innocence and how it relates to love:
And cultivate a little bliss
And aid the burgeoning vine
And run the weed mowers over
Nor miss a line
The speaker is suggesting that if love were like the "gallant little flower," then it would be easy to cultivate and nurture. There would be no need to worry about rejection or heartbreak, and one could enjoy the simple pleasures of life without fear.
In the third stanza, the speaker acknowledges that this idyllic view of love is not possible:
And shout endeavor from the hills—
And show that brave delight
And then a sunburned theorem
Equations on the sight—
Here, the "sunburned theorem" and "equations on the sight" represent the harsh realities of life and the fact that love cannot exist in a vacuum. The speaker is acknowledging that love is complicated and messy, and that it cannot exist without the risk of rejection and heartbreak.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close:
And love is done as done with noon
That we could bid the violets adieu
But not so much as violet
As a larcenous dew—
The speaker is acknowledging that love, like the noon sun, will eventually fade away. The reference to violets is a nod to Dickinson's interest in the natural world, and the "larcenous dew" represents the idea that love, like life, is fleeting and cannot be held onto forever.
Conclusion
"It would not know if it were spurned" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the nature of love and rejection. Through its use of form and structure, as well as its carefully crafted language, the poem invites the reader to contemplate the beauty and pain of love.
Emily Dickinson was a true master of the craft, and this poem is just one example of her immense talent. It continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the power and complexity of human emotion.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It Would Not Know if It Were Spurned: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers today. Her poem, "It Would Not Know if It Were Spurned," is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "It would not know if it were spurned," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is referring to a flower, which is personified throughout the poem. The flower is unaware of its own beauty and does not care whether it is appreciated or not. This idea of indifference is a recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and it is particularly relevant in this poem.
The second line of the poem, "This gallant little flower," is an example of Dickinson's use of irony. The flower is described as "gallant," which is a term usually reserved for brave and heroic actions. However, in this context, the flower's gallantry is in its ability to remain indifferent to the world around it. The flower is not concerned with the opinions of others, and this is what makes it so admirable.
The third line of the poem, "Would take itself, and be gone," is a reference to the flower's ability to exist independently of its surroundings. The flower is not dependent on anyone or anything for its existence, and it can take itself away at any time. This idea of self-sufficiency is another recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and it is particularly relevant in this poem.
The fourth line of the poem, "Wouldn't you?" is a direct address to the reader. The speaker is asking the reader if they would do the same as the flower if they were in its position. This question is a challenge to the reader to consider their own values and priorities. Would they be able to exist independently of the opinions of others, or would they be too concerned with what others think of them?
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "My dear," and "It asked as 'twere a boy," are examples of Dickinson's use of personification. The flower is given human qualities, and it is described as asking a question in the same way a boy would. This personification serves to make the flower more relatable to the reader and to emphasize its innocence and purity.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "Disdained the gold, and then," and "Disdained the mythos bright," are references to the flower's indifference to material possessions and fame. The flower does not care about gold or mythos, which are symbols of wealth and fame. This indifference is what makes the flower so admirable, and it is a reminder to the reader that material possessions and fame are not the most important things in life.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "So shy, so ignorant of it," and "Itself, so adored," are examples of Dickinson's use of paradox. The flower is described as being both shy and adored at the same time. This paradox serves to emphasize the flower's innocence and purity, and it is a reminder to the reader that sometimes the most beautiful things in life are also the most humble.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "So slipt away upon," and "Itself so unsurveyed," are references to the flower's ability to exist unnoticed and unappreciated. The flower does not need the approval of others to exist, and it can slip away unnoticed at any time. This idea of existing unnoticed is another recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and it is particularly relevant in this poem.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, "So gentle, as it go," and "So unaffected by," are references to the flower's gentle and unaffected nature. The flower does not seek attention or recognition, and it is content to exist quietly and unobtrusively. This idea of being unaffected by the world around us is another recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and it is particularly relevant in this poem.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem, "No more than it were a butterfly," and "Or a bird's delight," are references to the flower's beauty and grace. The flower is compared to a butterfly or a bird, which are both symbols of beauty and grace. This comparison serves to emphasize the flower's natural beauty and to remind the reader that sometimes the most beautiful things in life are also the most fleeting.
The final line of the poem, "Wherefore cross it with a look?" is a challenge to the reader to consider their own actions. The speaker is asking why anyone would cross the flower with a look, which is a reference to the idea of spurning or rejecting something. This question is a challenge to the reader to consider their own values and priorities and to think about the consequences of their actions.
In conclusion, "It Would Not Know if It Were Spurned" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and poetic genius. The poem explores the themes of indifference, self-sufficiency, innocence, and beauty, and it challenges the reader to consider their own values and priorities. Through its use of personification, irony, paradox, and imagery, the poem serves to remind us that sometimes the most beautiful things in life are also the most humble and that we should strive to be more like the gallant little flower that does not care whether it is appreciated or not.
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