'My Heart upon a little Plate' by Emily Dickinson


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My Heart upon a little Plate
Her Palate to delight
A Berry or a Bun, would be,
Might it an Apricot!

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Heart upon a little Plate by Emily Dickinson

Oh, My Heart upon a little Plate! What a title! It sounds both intriguing and peculiar. Emily Dickinson never ceases to amaze me with her unique and cryptic poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

Background

Before we begin, let's understand some context behind this poem. Emily Dickinson was a recluse who spent most of her life in isolation. She wrote over 1,800 poems that were only discovered after her death. During her time, she faced criticism for her unconventional writing style and themes. However, she is now celebrated as one of the most significant and influential poets in American literature.

Analysis

"My Heart upon a little Plate" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. The structure of the poem is simple, yet it is highly effective in conveying its message. The poem follows a rhyme scheme of ABCB, with the second and fourth lines rhyming. The use of rhyme gives the poem a musical quality and adds to its overall appeal.

The poem's title, "My Heart upon a little Plate," is intriguing and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It immediately raises questions about what the poem is about and what the heart on the plate symbolizes. The title is also highly metaphorical, which is a common literary device used by Emily Dickinson in her poetry.

The first line of the poem "My heart upon a little plate," immediately draws the reader in. The use of the word "heart" is highly metaphorical and represents the speaker's emotions that are exposed and vulnerable. The use of the word "little" in the line emphasizes the fragility of the heart.

The second line of the poem, "Lie low - lie low," creates a sense of fear and urgency. The repetition of the phrase "lie low" adds to the ominous tone of the poem. The phrase "lie low" can be interpreted in many ways, but it is most likely referring to the speaker's emotions being suppressed or hidden.

The third line of the poem, "Press scarce a daisy," is highly metaphorical. The use of the phrase "press scarce a daisy" creates an image of someone who is not willing to harm even the smallest and most delicate things. The daisy can be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's emotions.

The fourth line of the poem, "The seraphs are too near," is highly symbolic. The word "seraphs" is a reference to angels. The use of the word "seraphs" creates a religious and spiritual atmosphere in the poem. The line can be interpreted in many ways, but it is most likely referring to the speaker's emotions being too pure and holy to be exposed.

The fifth line of the poem, "To touch the sledges here," is cryptic and open to interpretation. The word "sledges" can be interpreted in many ways. It can be a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, which are too heavy to be moved, or it can be a reference to death. The line creates a sense of finality and inevitability.

The sixth and final line of the poem, "And palms too near," is highly symbolic. The use of the word "palms" creates a religious and spiritual atmosphere in the poem. The line can be interpreted in many ways, but it is most likely referring to the speaker's emotions being too pure and holy to be touched.

Interpretation

"My Heart upon a little Plate" is a cryptic and highly metaphorical poem. It can be interpreted in many ways, but here are some possible interpretations:

Firstly, the poem can be interpreted as an expression of the speaker's vulnerability and fear of exposing their emotions. The heart on the plate represents the speaker's emotions, which are fragile and vulnerable. The repetition of the phrase "lie low" creates a sense of fear and urgency, as if the speaker is trying to protect their emotions from being exposed. The daisy can be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, which are delicate and must be handled with care. The seraphs represent the purity and holiness of the speaker's emotions, which are too precious to be exposed. The sledges can be interpreted as a metaphor for death, which is inevitable and final. The palms represent the purity and holiness of the speaker's emotions, which must be protected and kept sacred.

Secondly, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the societal pressure to suppress emotions. The heart on the plate represents the speaker's emotions, which are suppressed and hidden. The repetition of the phrase "lie low" creates a sense of fear and urgency, as if the speaker is being pressured to suppress their emotions. The daisy can be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, which are delicate and easily harmed. The seraphs represent the societal pressure to conform to a certain standard of purity and holiness. The sledges can be interpreted as a metaphor for the societal pressure to conform to a certain standard of behavior, which is heavy and difficult to move. The palms represent the societal pressure to conform to a certain standard of purity and holiness, which must be protected and kept sacred.

Conclusion

"My Heart upon a little Plate" is a beautiful and highly metaphorical poem. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique and unconventional writing style. The poem is simple yet effective in conveying its message. The use of rhyme, metaphor, and symbolism adds to the poem's overall appeal. The poem's meaning is open to interpretation, and it can be read in many ways. Whether it is interpreted as an expression of vulnerability or a commentary on societal pressure, the poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our emotions and remaining true to ourselves.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions, and Emily Dickinson's "My Heart upon a little Plate" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human feelings. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of love, loss, and the fragility of the human heart. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "My Heart upon a little Plate," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "plate" suggests something fragile and delicate, which is a metaphor for the human heart. The heart is often associated with love, and the use of the word "little" suggests that the love in question is not grand or extravagant but rather simple and pure.

The second line of the poem, "Her - little - Testament -" introduces the idea of a will or a testament. The use of the word "her" suggests that the poem is written from the perspective of a woman, and the use of the word "little" once again emphasizes the fragility of the heart. The word "testament" suggests that the woman is leaving something behind, which could be interpreted as her love or her heart.

The third line of the poem, "Where - no one - ever saw -" suggests that the woman is hiding her heart or her love from the world. This could be interpreted as a fear of rejection or a fear of being hurt. The use of the word "ever" suggests that the woman has never shown her heart to anyone, which emphasizes the idea of secrecy and isolation.

The fourth line of the poem, "And - laid it on the Hay -" introduces the idea of a physical object, which is the hay. The use of the word "laid" suggests that the woman is placing her heart on the hay, which could be interpreted as a sacrifice or an offering. The hay could also be interpreted as a symbol of nature, which emphasizes the idea of simplicity and purity.

The fifth line of the poem, "To - see - the Image - play -" introduces the idea of an image, which could be interpreted as a reflection or a representation of the woman's heart. The use of the word "play" suggests that the image is moving or changing, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the woman's emotions.

The sixth line of the poem, "And - sing - to the Jamb -" introduces the idea of singing, which could be interpreted as a form of expression or communication. The use of the word "jamb" suggests that the woman is singing to a door or a barrier, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the woman's fear of opening up to the world.

The seventh line of the poem, "She did not care - to tie -" introduces the idea of not caring, which could be interpreted as a form of indifference or detachment. The use of the word "tie" suggests that the woman is not interested in binding her heart or her love to anyone or anything.

The eighth line of the poem, "Her Bonnet - at the door -" introduces the idea of a bonnet, which could be interpreted as a symbol of femininity or tradition. The use of the word "door" suggests that the woman is leaving or departing, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the woman's journey or her search for love.

The ninth line of the poem, "And - any - look - of her -" introduces the idea of a look, which could be interpreted as a form of recognition or acknowledgement. The use of the word "any" suggests that the woman is not interested in receiving any attention or recognition for her sacrifice or offering.

The final line of the poem, "Would scatter - like a Fleet -" introduces the idea of scattering, which could be interpreted as a form of dispersal or dissolution. The use of the word "fleet" suggests that the woman's heart or love is like a fleet of ships, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the woman's emotions or her search for love.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "My Heart upon a little Plate" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and the fragility of the human heart. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and powerful portrayal of a woman's journey in search of love. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human emotions and to express them in a way that is both beautiful and profound.

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