'Publication-is the Auction' by Emily Dickinson
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Publication-is the Auction
Of the Mind of Man-
Poverty-be justifying
For so foul a thingPossibly-but We-would rather
From Our Garret go
White-Unto the White Creator-
Than invest-Our Snow-Thought belong to Him who gave it-
Then-to Him Who bear
Its Corporeal illustration-Sell
The Royal Air-In the Parcel-Be the Merchant
Of the Heavenly Grace-
But reduce no Human Spirit
To Disgrace of Price-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Publication-is the Auction by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Interpretation
Publication-is the Auction Of the Mind of Man— Poverty—be justifying For so foul a thing
These are the opening lines of "Publication-is the Auction" by Emily Dickinson, a poem that critiques the role of publication in the literary world. Published posthumously in 1896, this poem reflects Dickinson's own reluctance to publish her work and her disdain for the commercialization of poetry. In this essay, I will analyze the themes, imagery, and poetic devices used in "Publication-is the Auction," and how they contribute to the poem's overall message.
The Theme of Publication and its Negative Effects
The theme of publication is central to this poem. The title itself, "Publication-is the Auction," sets the tone for what is to come. The word "auction" implies a commercial transaction, where the highest bidder is rewarded, regardless of the quality of the product. Similarly, Dickinson's use of the phrase "Of the Mind of Man" highlights the idea of literature as a commodity that can be bought and sold.
Dickinson's critique of publication is evident in the lines "Poverty—be justifying/For so foul a thing." Here, she suggests that poverty is the only justification for publishing one's work. This implies that publication is a necessary evil, forced upon poets who need to make a living. Furthermore, the word "foul" suggests that publication is a corrupting influence on poetry, debasing its value and artistic integrity.
The poem also suggests that publication can have negative effects on the poet's reputation. Dickinson writes "The Truth must dazzle gradually/Or every man be blind." Here, she suggests that the truth (in this case, the poet's work) must be revealed slowly and carefully, or else it will be overlooked or rejected. Dickinson implies that publication can have the opposite effect, allowing the public to judge a poet's work too quickly, without fully understanding its worth.
Symbolism and Imagery
Dickinson's use of symbolism and imagery in this poem is both subtle and effective. The first two lines, "Publication-is the Auction/ Of the Mind of Man," immediately create a powerful metaphor that compares publication to a commercial transaction. The use of the word "mind" also suggests that publication can have a negative impact on the poet's inner life, corrupting their artistic vision.
The phrase "Poverty—be justifying/For so foul a thing," uses the metaphor of poverty to convey the idea that publication is a necessary evil. The word "justifying" suggests that the poet is forced to publish their work, regardless of its artistic value, in order to make a living. The phrase "so foul a thing" uses imagery to suggest that publication is a corrupting influence, debasing the value of the poet's work.
The final two lines of the poem, "The Truth must dazzle gradually/Or every man be blind," use the metaphor of light to suggest that the value of poetry can only be revealed slowly over time. The word "dazzle" suggests that the truth is powerful and brilliant, but needs to be revealed gradually in order to be fully appreciated. This is contrasted with the idea that "every man be blind" if the truth is revealed too quickly, suggesting that publication can have a negative impact on the poet's reputation.
Poetic Devices
In "Publication-is the Auction," Dickinson employs several poetic devices to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. The use of repetition is particularly effective, with the phrase "Publication-is the Auction" repeated twice in the first two lines. This repetition emphasizes the central theme of the poem, while also creating a rhythmic pattern that draws the reader in.
The poem also makes use of internal rhyme, with the words "justifying" and "foul" rhyming in the second line. This creates a sense of unity and harmony within the line, while also emphasizing the negative impact of publication on the poet's work.
Finally, Dickinson's use of enjambment creates a sense of momentum and movement throughout the poem. For example, the line "The Truth must dazzle gradually" continues into the next line, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement for the reader.
Conclusion
In "Publication-is the Auction," Emily Dickinson offers a powerful critique of the commercialization of poetry. Through her use of symbolism, imagery, and poetic devices, Dickinson conveys the negative impact of publication on the artist's work and reputation. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the truth and value of poetry can only be revealed gradually over time, and that publication can have a negative impact on this process. As a result, "Publication-is the Auction" remains a powerful reminder of the importance of artistic integrity and the dangers of commercialization in the literary world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Publication-is the Auction: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, wrote a poem titled "Poetry Publication-is the Auction" that has become a classic in the world of literature. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the theme of the value of poetry and the process of publishing it. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Poetry Publication-is the Auction," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "auction" implies that poetry is being sold, and this is a metaphor for the process of publishing poetry. The poem goes on to describe the process of publishing poetry, which is compared to a public auction where the highest bidder wins.
The second stanza of the poem describes the value of poetry and how it is determined. The speaker suggests that the value of poetry is not determined by its intrinsic worth but by the amount of money it can fetch at an auction. This is a commentary on the commercialization of poetry and how it has become a commodity that is bought and sold like any other product.
The third stanza of the poem describes the process of publishing poetry and how it is marketed to the public. The speaker suggests that publishers use various tactics to make poetry more appealing to the public, such as advertising and promotion. This is another commentary on the commercialization of poetry and how it has become a product that is marketed to the masses.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the role of the poet in this process. The speaker suggests that the poet is like a merchant who is trying to sell their wares at an auction. The poet must create poetry that is appealing to the public and that will fetch a high price at the auction. This is a commentary on the pressure that poets face to create poetry that is marketable and profitable.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the consequences of this commercialization of poetry. The speaker suggests that the true value of poetry is lost in this process, and that poetry becomes nothing more than a commodity that is bought and sold. This is a commentary on the devaluation of poetry and how it has become a product that is consumed rather than appreciated for its intrinsic value.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "auction" in the first line of each stanza, adds to the musicality of the poem and emphasizes its central theme.
The poem also makes use of various literary devices, such as metaphor, personification, and allusion. The metaphor of the auction is used throughout the poem to describe the process of publishing poetry. The personification of poetry, such as in the line "Poetry is the plough that breaks the clods," gives poetry a human quality and emphasizes its importance. The allusion to the Bible in the line "Truth is auctioned to the throng" adds a layer of depth to the poem and suggests that the commercialization of poetry is a betrayal of the truth.
In conclusion, "Poetry Publication-is the Auction" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that explores the theme of the commercialization of poetry. The poem is a commentary on the pressure that poets face to create poetry that is marketable and profitable, and the consequences of this commercialization on the true value of poetry. The structure and literary devices used in the poem add to its musicality and emphasize its central theme. This poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's genius and her ability to capture complex themes in simple yet powerful language.
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