'As if I asked a common Alms' by Emily Dickinson

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As if I asked a common Alms,
And in my wondering hand
A Stranger pressed a Kingdom,
And I, bewildered, stand-
As if I asked the Orient
Had it for me a Morn-
And it should lift its purple Dikes,
And shatter me with Dawn!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"As if I asked a common Alms" by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson needs no introduction. She is one of the most famous and influential poets in American literature. Her poetry is known for its concise and often enigmatic style, which has earned her a reputation as a master of brevity. "As if I asked a common Alms" is one of her many poems that illustrate this style.

The Poem

As if I asked a common Alms, And in my wondering hand A Stranger pressed a Kingdom, And I, bewildered, stand—

As if I asked the Orient Had answered me in jest And by a Royal Imitation Had Simulated East—

Faint work! Yet tell it to my Sue! She thought it brave of me— Could cheerfully her Annals leave To go in Company!

The poem has three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. It is a short and simple poem that appears to tell a straightforward story. The speaker begins by comparing an experience to someone asking for money and receiving a much greater gift than expected. The second stanza continues the comparison by imagining the speaker asking for something as impossible as the Orient, and receiving a fake imitation instead. In the last stanza, the speaker reveals that they shared this experience with someone named Sue, who admired the speaker's bravery in undergoing it.

Interpretation

On the surface, "As if I asked a common Alms" appears to be a poem about unexpected generosity. The speaker uses the image of someone asking for money and receiving a kingdom to express how surprised they were at the gift they received. However, there are several other layers of meaning in this poem that are worth exploring.

Firstly, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the limitations of language. The speaker describes the gift they received as a "Kingdom," but this word is not enough to convey the scope and magnitude of what they have been given. Similarly, the speaker compares their desire for the Orient to the impossible task of asking for a gift that is beyond the realm of possibility. The use of language in these instances is inadequate, and the speaker is left feeling bewildered and unsure of how to express what they have experienced.

Secondly, the poem can be seen as an exploration of the nature of gifts. The speaker did not ask for the gift they received, and yet it was given to them freely. This raises questions about the motivations behind gifts and the expectations that come with them. The fact that the gift was so unexpected and overwhelming adds to the sense of mystery surrounding it. The image of a stranger giving a gift to someone who did not ask for it is also reminiscent of the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, which suggests that acts of kindness can come from unexpected sources.

Lastly, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the role of art in our lives. The speaker shares the experience with someone named Sue, who thinks it is "brave" of them to have undergone it. This suggests that the speaker's experience is seen as something that is valuable and worth sharing. The fact that the poem is a written record of this experience further emphasizes the importance of art as a way of capturing and preserving moments of significance in our lives.

Analysis

The title of the poem, "As if I asked a common Alms," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "common" suggests that the speaker is expecting something ordinary and mundane, while the word "alms" implies a sense of neediness or desperation. This contrasts with the grandeur of the gift that the speaker receives, which is described as a "Kingdom." The word "Kingdom" suggests power, wealth, and authority, all of which are far beyond the scope of what the speaker could have expected.

The first stanza of the poem emphasizes the sense of surprise and bewilderment that the speaker feels upon receiving the gift. The use of the word "wondering" to describe the speaker's hand suggests that they were not expecting anything so grand. The image of a stranger giving the gift adds to the sense of mystery surrounding it. The word "bewildered" suggests that the speaker is not quite sure what to make of the gift, and is perhaps even overwhelmed by it.

The second stanza continues the comparison between the gift and something impossible. The use of the word "Orient" suggests something exotic and faraway, while the phrase "Royal Imitation" suggests something fake or insincere. This contrast between the real and the fake adds to the sense of mystery and uncertainty surrounding the gift.

The final stanza reveals that the speaker shared this experience with someone named Sue. The fact that Sue thinks the speaker was "brave" to have undergone this experience suggests that it was not something that was easy to handle. The use of the word "Annals" to describe Sue's reactions further emphasizes the importance of recording and preserving significant experiences.

Conclusion

"As if I asked a common Alms" is a deceptively simple poem that explores themes of unexpected generosity, the limitations of language, and the role of art in our lives. The use of concise language and powerful imagery creates a sense of mystery and wonder that draws the reader in. The poem invites us to reflect on the nature of gifts, the power of language, and the value of preserving significant experiences. As with much of Emily Dickinson's poetry, "As if I asked a common Alms" leaves us with more questions than answers, but it is precisely this sense of mystery and ambiguity that makes her work so enduring and powerful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry As if I asked a common Alms: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece

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. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry As if I asked a common Alms," is a masterpiece that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the poet and the reader. In this article, we will analyze this poem in detail and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "As if I asked a common Alms," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is comparing poetry to a beggar asking for money, suggesting that poetry is something that is often overlooked or undervalued by society. The use of the word "common" emphasizes this point, as it suggests that poetry is something that is ordinary or unremarkable.

The second line of the poem, "And in my wandering hand," introduces the image of the speaker's hand, which is a recurring motif throughout the poem. The hand represents the speaker's ability to create poetry, and its "wandering" suggests that the speaker is searching for inspiration or guidance.

The third line of the poem, "You placed a richer Pearl," introduces the idea that poetry is a gift that is given to the poet by a higher power. The use of the word "Pearl" suggests that poetry is something precious and valuable, and the fact that it is "richer" than the common alms that the speaker asked for suggests that it is something that is worth more than money.

The fourth line of the poem, "Than all my princely Years," further emphasizes the value of poetry by suggesting that it is worth more than all of the speaker's years of wealth and privilege. This line also introduces the idea that poetry is something that is timeless and eternal, as it is worth more than all of the speaker's years combined.

The fifth line of the poem, "Ah, homeless One," introduces the image of the homeless person, which is another recurring motif throughout the poem. The homeless person represents the poet, who is often seen as an outsider or a misfit in society. The fact that the homeless person is addressed directly suggests that the speaker is speaking to the poet, and that the poem is a reflection of the poet's own experiences.

The sixth line of the poem, "Whose Poverty was not," suggests that the poet's poverty is not a lack of material wealth, but rather a lack of recognition or understanding from society. This line also introduces the idea that poetry is something that is not understood or appreciated by everyone, and that it is often seen as something that is of little value.

The seventh line of the poem, "Made for thy children here," suggests that poetry is something that is meant to be shared with others, and that it is a gift that is given to the poet for the benefit of others. The use of the word "children" suggests that poetry is something that is meant to be shared with the young and the innocent, and that it has the power to inspire and educate.

The eighth line of the poem, "And what they yearly give me," introduces the idea that poetry is something that is given to the poet on a regular basis, and that it is a source of sustenance and nourishment. The fact that the poet receives poetry "yearly" suggests that it is something that is cyclical and eternal, and that it is a part of the natural order of things.

The ninth line of the poem, "Is but the fee," suggests that the poetry that the poet receives is not something that is given freely, but rather something that is earned through hard work and dedication. The use of the word "fee" suggests that poetry is something that is paid for, and that it is a reward for the poet's efforts.

The tenth and final line of the poem, "Of an immense - of a despotic - Year," introduces the idea that poetry is something that is part of a larger, more powerful force. The use of the word "immense" suggests that poetry is something that is vast and all-encompassing, while the use of the word "despotic" suggests that it is something that is powerful and controlling. This line also suggests that poetry is something that is beyond the control of the poet, and that it is a force that is greater than any individual.

In conclusion, "Poetry As if I asked a common Alms" is a masterpiece that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the poet and the reader. Through the use of powerful imagery and language, Emily Dickinson creates a poem that is both profound and thought-provoking. The poem suggests that poetry is something that is often undervalued by society, but that it is a gift that is given to the poet by a higher power. It also suggests that poetry is something that is meant to be shared with others, and that it has the power to inspire and educate. Overall, "Poetry As if I asked a common Alms" is a testament to the power and beauty of poetry, and it is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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