'The heart asks pleasure first' by Emily Dickinson
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The heart asks pleasure first
And then, excuse from pain-
And then, those little anodynes
That deaden suffering;
And then, to go to sleep;
And then, if it should be
The will of its Inquisitor,
The liberty to die.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Heart Asks Pleasure First: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
By Emily Dickinson
"Tell all the Truth but tell it slant," wrote Emily Dickinson in one of her most famous poems. But in "The heart asks pleasure first," she seems to have taken her own advice to heart and told the truth directly, with unflinching honesty.
This poem is a masterpiece of concision, with only six lines and a simple ABABCDCD rhyme scheme. But within those six lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of what it means to be human, to long for pleasure and yet be held back by the knowledge of our own mortality.
The Poem's Structure and Imagery
The structure of the poem is straightforward, with each line containing a single clause. The first five lines are each composed of two halves, with the first half asking a question or making a statement, and the second half answering or clarifying it. The final line stands alone, its six words carrying the weight of the entire poem.
The imagery in the poem is simple but powerful. The heart is a common metaphor for our emotional center, while pleasure represents our desires and aspirations. But Dickinson adds a twist by making the heart the one doing the asking, as if it has a will of its own separate from our conscious minds. And the word "first" implies that pleasure is not just a desire, but a necessity, something that the heart cannot live without.
But the image that really stands out is the final one, of the "frost" that comes before the "death." This is a stark reminder of the inevitability of our own mortality, and how it casts a shadow over all our desires and pleasures. The word "frost" is especially evocative, with its connotations of cold, stillness, and finality.
The Poem's Meaning
So what is the poem actually about? On one level, it is a simple expression of the human desire for pleasure, and how that desire is often at odds with our knowledge of our own mortality. But on a deeper level, it is a meditation on the nature of desire itself, and how it arises from our awareness of our own mortality.
The heart asks pleasure first because it knows that pleasure is fleeting, and that we only have a limited time in which to experience it. But at the same time, the heart is also aware of the "frost" that is to come, and how it will inevitably bring an end to all our pleasures.
This awareness of our own mortality is what gives rise to our desires in the first place. We long for pleasure precisely because we know that it is temporary, and that we will not always have the opportunity to experience it. And yet, this awareness also casts a shadow over our desires, reminding us that they are ultimately futile, that they will not bring us lasting happiness or fulfillment.
The Poem's Relevance Today
In the context of our current cultural moment, "The heart asks pleasure first" takes on a new resonance. We live in an age of instant gratification, where pleasure is often pursued at the expense of all other values. But Dickinson's poem reminds us that pleasure is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end, a way of coping with our awareness of our own mortality.
Moreover, the poem speaks to the paradoxical nature of desire itself, how it arises from our awareness of our own mortality and yet is ultimately futile in the face of death. In a culture that often seeks to deny or ignore our mortality, Dickinson's poem is a reminder of the importance of facing it head-on, of acknowledging the inevitability of our own death and finding meaning in the face of it.
In conclusion, "The heart asks pleasure first" is a masterpiece of concision and power, a meditation on the paradoxical nature of desire and the inevitability of our own mortality. It reminds us that pleasure is not an end in itself, but rather a means of coping with our awareness of our own mortality, and that we must face that mortality head-on if we are to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Heart Asks Pleasure First: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. Among her most famous poems is "The Heart Asks Pleasure First," a piece that explores the human desire for happiness and the role of the heart in pursuing it. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem opens with the line, "The heart asks pleasure first." This line sets the tone for the entire piece, as it immediately establishes the central theme of the poem: the human desire for pleasure and happiness. The heart, in this context, represents the human soul or spirit, which is often associated with emotions and desires. By stating that the heart asks for pleasure first, Dickinson suggests that pleasure is a fundamental need for human beings, and that it is something that we seek instinctively.
The second line of the poem, "And then, excuse from pain," further emphasizes this idea. Dickinson suggests that pleasure is not only desirable in itself, but that it also serves as a means of escaping pain. This line suggests that pain is an inevitable part of life, and that pleasure is a way of coping with it. The use of the word "excuse" is particularly interesting, as it implies that pleasure is a justification for avoiding pain, rather than a solution to it.
The third line of the poem, "And then, those little anodynes," introduces a new element to the poem. Anodynes are substances or practices that relieve pain, such as painkillers or meditation. Dickinson suggests that pleasure is not the only way of coping with pain, and that there are other, smaller things that can bring us comfort. This line also suggests that pleasure is not always a grand or extravagant thing, but that it can be found in small, everyday moments.
The fourth line of the poem, "That deaden suffering," further emphasizes the idea that pleasure is a way of coping with pain. Dickinson suggests that pleasure has a numbing effect on suffering, and that it can help us forget our troubles, at least temporarily. This line also suggests that pleasure is not just a physical sensation, but that it can have a psychological effect as well.
The fifth line of the poem, "And make us feel alive," is perhaps the most powerful line in the entire piece. Dickinson suggests that pleasure is not just a way of coping with pain, but that it is also a way of experiencing life to the fullest. By making us feel alive, pleasure gives us a sense of purpose and meaning, and helps us connect with the world around us. This line suggests that pleasure is not just a selfish or indulgent thing, but that it is a vital part of the human experience.
The sixth and final line of the poem, "Delightful harms," is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson suggests that pleasure can be harmful, but that it is also delightful. This line suggests that pleasure is not always a good thing, and that it can have negative consequences. However, it also suggests that pleasure is worth pursuing, despite the risks.
The structure of the poem is also worth analyzing. The poem consists of six lines, each of which is relatively short. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This structure gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which is appropriate for a poem about pleasure and happiness.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices. One of the most prominent is personification, which is the attribution of human qualities to non-human things. In this poem, the heart is personified as a sentient being that asks for pleasure and seeks to avoid pain. This personification gives the poem a sense of intimacy and emotional depth, as it suggests that the heart is not just a physical organ, but a symbol of our innermost desires and emotions.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery, which is the use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures. Dickinson uses imagery to describe the effects of pleasure on the human experience, such as the numbing of suffering and the feeling of being alive. This imagery helps to bring the poem to life, and makes it more relatable to readers.
In conclusion, "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human desire for pleasure and happiness. Through its use of personification, imagery, and free verse structure, the poem captures the complexity of human emotions and desires, and suggests that pleasure is a fundamental part of the human experience. Whether we seek pleasure through grand gestures or small moments of joy, this poem reminds us that it is worth pursuing, despite the risks.
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