'It came his turn to beg-' by Emily Dickinson
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It came his turn to beg-
The begging for the life
Is different from another Alms
'Tis Penury in Chief-I scanned his narrow realm
I gave him leave to live
Lest Gratitude revive the snake
Though smuggled his reprieve
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "It came his turn to beg": An Exploration of Power Dynamics and Social Hierarchies
Emily Dickinson's "It came his turn to beg" is a thought-provoking poem that delves into the complexities of human interactions and the power dynamics that shape them. Written in Dickinson's signature style of brief, enigmatic verses, the poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of begging, power, and inequality, and to question the assumptions and biases that underlie our social hierarchies.
At its core, "It came his turn to beg" is a poem about a beggar who seeks alms from a wealthy person. The poem opens with the speaker describing how the beggar approaches the wealthy person, who is described as "great" and "proud." Immediately, we are made aware of the power imbalance between the two characters: the beggar is positioned as the supplicant, while the wealthy person holds the power to grant or deny the beggar's request.
The poem then goes on to describe the exchange between the beggar and the wealthy person. The beggar is described as "trembling," suggesting that he is afraid or intimidated by the wealthy person. Meanwhile, the wealthy person is portrayed as "cold" and "impatient," indicating a lack of empathy or compassion for the beggar's plight. The poem ends with the beggar leaving empty-handed, having been denied his request for alms.
On the surface, "It came his turn to beg" is a simple and straightforward poem. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a much deeper and more nuanced exploration of power, privilege, and inequality. One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of "deservingness." In the world of the poem, wealth and status are seen as markers of deservingness, while poverty and need are associated with undeservingness. This is evident in the way that the wealthy person is described as "great" and "proud," while the beggar is portrayed as "shabby" and "trembling."
By positioning the wealthy person as the one with the power to grant or deny the beggar's request, the poem exposes the ways in which power is often tied to wealth and status. The wealthy person is able to exercise their power over the beggar precisely because they occupy a more privileged position in society. This suggests that power is not simply a function of individual merit or ability, but is rather a product of broader social structures and hierarchies.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of empathy, or the lack thereof. The wealthy person is depicted as "cold" and "impatient," suggesting a lack of compassion or concern for the beggar's plight. This lack of empathy is contrasted with the beggar's trembling and vulnerability, which invite the reader to empathize with his situation. By portraying the wealthy person as callous and uncaring, the poem highlights the ways in which social hierarchies can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding between people of different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Furthermore, the poem can be read as a critique of the notion of meritocracy, or the idea that success and power are earned through individual effort and ability. The beggar, despite his poverty and need, is not portrayed as a lazy or undeserving individual. Rather, he is simply in need of assistance, which the wealthy person is in a position to provide. By denying the beggar's request for alms, the wealthy person is reinforcing the idea that poverty is a result of individual failure rather than systemic inequality.
Overall, "It came his turn to beg" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of power, privilege, and empathy in human interactions. Through its exploration of the dynamics between a beggar and a wealthy person, the poem sheds light on the ways in which social hierarchies shape our perceptions of deservingness and empathy, and how they can perpetuate inequality and injustice.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "It came his turn to beg" is a masterful exploration of power dynamics and social hierarchies that continues to resonate with readers today. Its evocative imagery and sparse, enigmatic style invite readers to reflect on the nature of begging, power, and inequality, and to question the assumptions and biases that underlie our social interactions. By exposing the ways in which power and privilege can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding between people of different socioeconomic backgrounds, the poem serves as a powerful critique of the systemic inequalities that continue to shape our world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
"It came his turn to beg" - A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in the history of American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional themes, and profound insights into the human condition. Among her many poems, "It came his turn to beg" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of human suffering and the struggle for survival.
The Poem
"It came his turn to beg" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with irregular meter and rhyme scheme. The poem reads:
It came his turn to beg—
The begging for the life—
Is different from another Alms
'Tis Penury in Chief—
The poem begins with a simple statement: "It came his turn to beg." The speaker does not specify who is begging or why, but the reader can infer that it is someone who is in dire need of help. The second line clarifies that the begging is for life itself, which suggests that the person is facing a life-threatening situation. The third and fourth lines contrast this kind of begging with another kind of alms-giving, implying that the former is more urgent and desperate than the latter.
The second stanza continues the theme of desperation and suffering:
Begging for an ostracized Life
Is piteouser than Death—
Denied the Paradise—despite
The effort to be blest—
Here, the speaker suggests that begging for a life that is ostracized or excluded from society is even more pitiful than begging for death. The person is denied the paradise or happiness that they seek, despite their efforts to attain it. The use of the word "piteouser" emphasizes the speaker's sympathy for the person's plight.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the person who is giving alms:
The Alms itself a pitiful
Like a withheld Twin—
Except it weep the giver that
'Twas injurious done—
The speaker describes the alms-giving as pitiful, but in a different way than the begging. The alms itself is like a withheld twin, suggesting that it is something that should have been given freely but was not. The final line suggests that the giver may feel guilty or regretful for not giving more, which adds a layer of complexity to the act of giving.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close:
The beggar begs himself
It's begging all the days—
To mend a beggar's sorrow
One must the beggar raise—
The speaker concludes that the beggar is begging himself, implying that the person is trapped in a cycle of poverty and need. The final two lines suggest that the only way to alleviate the beggar's sorrow is to raise them out of their situation, rather than simply giving them alms.
Analysis
"It came his turn to beg" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of poverty, suffering, and the human condition. The poem is notable for its use of contrast and irony, as well as its vivid imagery and emotional impact.
One of the key contrasts in the poem is between begging for life and begging for other forms of alms. The speaker suggests that begging for life is more urgent and desperate than other forms of begging, which implies that the person is facing a life-threatening situation. This contrast highlights the severity of the person's situation and emphasizes the importance of helping those in need.
Another contrast in the poem is between the beggar and the giver. The speaker suggests that both the act of begging and the act of giving alms are pitiful, but in different ways. The beggar is pitiful because they are trapped in a cycle of poverty and need, while the giver is pitiful because they may feel guilty or regretful for not giving more. This contrast adds a layer of complexity to the act of giving and suggests that it is not always a simple matter of helping those in need.
The poem also makes use of vivid imagery to convey its themes. The image of a life that is ostracized or excluded from society is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the person is not only in need of material help but also emotional support. The image of a withheld twin is also striking, as it suggests that the act of giving is something that should be natural and instinctive, but is often withheld for various reasons.
Finally, the emotional impact of the poem is undeniable. The speaker's sympathy for the person in need is palpable, and the sense of urgency and desperation is conveyed through the use of contrast and vivid imagery. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to help those in need and to raise them out of their situation rather than simply giving them alms.
Conclusion
"It came his turn to beg" is a masterpiece of American poetry that captures the essence of human suffering and the struggle for survival. The poem is notable for its use of contrast, irony, vivid imagery, and emotional impact. It is a powerful call to action, urging readers to help those in need and to raise them out of their situation rather than simply giving them alms. Emily Dickinson's legacy as one of the greatest poets in American literature is secure, and "It came his turn to beg" is a shining example of her unique style and profound insights into the human condition.
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