'Color-Caste-Denomination' by Emily Dickinson

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Color-Caste-Denomination-
These-are Time's Affair-
Death's diviner Classifying
Does not know they are-As in sleep-All Hue forgotten-
Tenets-put behind-
Death's large-Democratic fingers
Rub away the Brand-If Circassian-He is careless-
If He put away
Chrysalis of Blonde-or Umber-
Equal Butterfly-They emerge from His Obscuring-
What Death-knows so well-
Our minuter intuitions-
Deem unplausible-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry at its Finest: A Critical Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Color-Caste-Denomination

Emily Dickinson is one of the most revered poets in the history of literature. Her works are known for their unique style and unconventional themes. In this essay, I will delve into one of her most intriguing poems, "Color-Caste-Denomination". This poem is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. It is a powerful commentary on the social constructs that divide people and create hierarchies.

Structure and Form

The structure of "Color-Caste-Denomination" is unusual. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The length of the lines varies, and there is no consistent rhyme scheme. This reflects the non-conformist nature of Dickinson's poetry. She did not follow the traditional rules of form and structure, but rather created her own.

The lack of rhyme scheme adds to the poem's sense of freedom and spontaneity. The lines flow effortlessly, almost as if they were spoken rather than written. This creates a musical quality to the poem, elevating it beyond mere words on a page.

Theme and Meaning

At its core, "Color-Caste-Denomination" is a commentary on the way in which society divides people based on arbitrary factors such as race, class, and religion. Dickinson is criticizing the way in which these divisions are used to create hierarchies and maintain power structures.

The poem begins with the lines, "Color -- Caste -- Denomination -- / These -- are Time's Affair -- / Death's diviner Classifying / Does not know they are." Here, Dickinson is stating that these divisions are created by humans and are therefore temporal. Death, the ultimate equalizer, does not recognize these differences. This suggests that these divisions are ultimately meaningless, and that we should focus on our shared humanity instead.

The second stanza, "Circumference thou Bride of Awe / Possibility -- / Thee to justify -- / In Viscousity --", is more difficult to interpret. Some critics believe that "Circumference" refers to the boundaries that society creates between people based on these divisions. "Bride of Awe" could be a reference to the reverence that people have for these divisions, even though they are arbitrary. "Viscousity" could be a reference to the stickiness of these divisions, which are difficult to overcome.

The third stanza, "Until -- Our Table Round with thee / Thee with us -- Nor moan / Until the Judgment Seat acclaim / Thee -- Reality --", suggests that we should strive to break down these divisions and come together as equals. We should not moan about our differences, but rather celebrate our shared humanity. Only then will we be able to face the judgment seat as equals.

The final stanza, "Immortality -- for Recompense -- / Escapes -- the Heavenward Gate -- / To find thee -- does the Angel need / Still further -- of thee -- let him not yet beget", suggests that true immortality is achieved by breaking down these divisions and coming together as one. The angel must continue to search for "thee" (unity) until it is achieved.

Interpretation

"Color-Caste-Denomination" is a powerful poem that speaks to our shared humanity. It reminds us that the divisions we create between ourselves are arbitrary and ultimately meaningless. We should strive to break down these divisions and come together as equals.

At the same time, the poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and unconventional approach to poetry. She did not follow the traditional rules of form and structure, but rather created her own. This reflects her non-conformist nature and her rejection of societal expectations.

Overall, "Color-Caste-Denomination" is a masterpiece of poetry that is both thought-provoking and powerful. It reminds us of the importance of unity and the futility of division. In a world that is increasingly polarized, this is a message that we should all take to heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Color-Caste-Denomination: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works are known for their depth, complexity, and the way they capture the essence of the human experience. One of her most famous poems is "Color-Caste-Denomination," which explores the themes of race, class, and religion. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "Color-Caste-Denomination—." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately introduces the three themes that Dickinson will explore throughout the poem. The use of the em dash after each word creates a sense of pause and emphasis, highlighting the importance of each theme.

The next line reads, "These—are Time's Affair—." This line suggests that these themes are not just relevant to Dickinson's time, but are timeless issues that have been present throughout history. The use of the word "affair" also implies that these themes are not just abstract concepts, but are deeply intertwined with the human experience.

The third line, "Death's diviner Classifying," introduces the idea that these themes are not just social constructs, but are also linked to the concept of mortality. Death is often seen as the great equalizer, as it does not discriminate based on race, class, or religion. However, Dickinson suggests that even in death, these categories still hold significance.

The fourth line, "Dead the worst of all the crowd," reinforces this idea by suggesting that even in death, there is still a hierarchy based on these categories. The use of the word "worst" implies that those who are at the bottom of this hierarchy are still seen as inferior, even in death.

The fifth line, "Except the smallest leave behind," introduces a new idea, that even those who are at the bottom of this hierarchy can still leave a mark on the world. The use of the word "smallest" suggests that even those who are seen as insignificant can still have an impact.

The sixth line, "Will take its chance to rise," reinforces this idea by suggesting that even those who are at the bottom of this hierarchy can still rise up and overcome their circumstances. The use of the word "chance" implies that this is not a guaranteed outcome, but rather something that requires effort and determination.

The seventh line, "Or lapse like leagues of snow," introduces the idea that even those who do rise up can still fall back down. The use of the metaphor of snow suggests that this is a natural process, and that even the most successful individuals can experience setbacks.

The eighth line, "In insignificance to us," suggests that even those who do rise up and make a mark on the world may still be seen as insignificant by others. This line reinforces the idea that these categories are deeply ingrained in society, and that it can be difficult to overcome them.

The final line, "But solemnize the trust," suggests that even though these categories may seem insurmountable, it is still important to try and overcome them. The use of the word "solemnize" implies that this is a serious and important task, and that it requires dedication and commitment.

Overall, "Color-Caste-Denomination" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most complex and challenging issues facing society. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson is able to capture the essence of these themes and convey their significance to the reader. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the human experience in all its complexity.

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