'A Mien to move a Queen' by Emily Dickinson


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A Mien to move a Queen—
Half Child—Half Heroine—
An Orleans in the Eye
That puts its manner by
For humbler Company
When none are near
Even a Tear—
Its frequent Visitor—

A Bonnet like a Duke—
And yet a Wren's Peruke
Were not so shy
Of Goer by—
And Hands—so slight—
They would elate a Sprite
With Merriment—

A Voice that Alters—Low
And on the Ear can go
Like Let of Snow—
Or shift supreme—
As tone of Realm
On Subjects Diadem—

Too small—to fear—
Too distant—to endear—
And so Men Compromise
And just—revere—

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Mien to move a Queen: A Literary Criticism

Emily Dickinson is an American poet who is known for her unique style, unconventional grammar, and punctuation. One of her famous poems is "A Mien to move a Queen," which was written in the 19th century. This poem is a complex and layered work of art that requires a closer look to unravel its meaning.

Overview of the Poem

"A Mien to move a Queen" is a poem with four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in an ABCB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The title of the poem is an alliteration, which gives a sense of grandeur and importance to the work.

Interpretation of the Poem

The poem "A Mien to move a Queen" is about the power of beauty and how it can influence people. The first line of the poem, "A face devoid of love or grace, / A hateful, hard, successful face," introduces the idea that a person's appearance can affect those around them. The use of the word "devoid" suggests that the person has no love or grace, making them unattractive and unappealing.

In the second line, the poet describes the person's face as "hateful, hard, successful." The juxtaposition of these words creates a sense of tension and conflict. The person is successful, but their success has come at the cost of their kindness and compassion. This line implies that success can sometimes turn a person into a cold and unfeeling individual.

The third line of the poem, "A face with which a stone / Would feel as thoroughly at ease / As were they old acquaintances," suggests that the person's face is so cold and hard that even a stone would find it comfortable. This line is a metaphor that emphasizes the person's lack of emotions and warmth.

The final line of the stanza, "Yet, when she moved, my heart was stirred / For something in the woman's heart / Was strangely, deeply stirred," is a sharp contrast to the previous three lines. The poet is saying that despite the woman's unappealing appearance, there is something about her that stirs the heart. This line suggests that beauty is not just about physical appearance, but also about the way a person carries themselves and the emotions they evoke.

The second stanza of the poem continues the idea of the power of beauty. The first line, "A mien to move a Queen," suggests that the woman has a dignified and regal bearing that is capable of influencing even a queen. The word "mien" means demeanor, and the poet is saying that the woman's demeanor is so powerful that it can move a queen.

The second line of the stanza, "A transport like the air," is a metaphor that compares the woman's influence to the air. The air is invisible, but it is all around us and affects everything. This line implies that the woman's beauty is not necessarily something that can be seen, but it is felt by those around her.

The third line of the stanza, "A hurrying to the glass," suggests that the woman is aware of her own beauty and is constantly checking her reflection. The use of the word "hurrying" emphasizes the woman's vanity and suggests that she is consumed by her own appearance.

The final line of the stanza, "An ecstasy in disgrace," is a paradox that suggests that the woman takes pleasure in her own downfall. This line implies that the woman's beauty is both a blessing and a curse, and that she is willing to sacrifice everything for it.

The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of the woman's beauty and how it affects those around her. The first line, "A soul supreme, that knows no mood, / That scorning, offers more," suggests that the woman has an unshakeable sense of self-worth that is not influenced by external factors.

The second line of the stanza, "That juggles unaware of crowd, / Or purposes, or applause," implies that the woman is not concerned with what others think of her. She is confident in her own beauty and does not need validation from others.

The third line of the stanza, "The annulment of the race," is a metaphor that suggests that the woman's beauty is so powerful that it cancels out the differences between people. This line implies that beauty is a universal language that can bring people together.

The final line of the stanza, "The covenant of glass," is a metaphor that suggests that the woman's beauty is fragile and can be shattered at any moment. The use of the word "covenant" implies that the woman's beauty is a contract that she has made with the world, and that she is willing to break it if necessary.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of beauty and its effect on the poet. The first line, "This was the wife," suggests that the woman is someone who is close to the poet.

The second line of the stanza, "These are the children," implies that the woman is a mother and that her beauty has influenced her children.

The third line of the stanza, "Leaves ample as the sun," is a metaphor that suggests that the woman's beauty is as expansive as the sun. This line implies that the woman's beauty is not limited to one person, but can affect everyone around her.

The final line of the stanza, "She would not know that she was fair," suggests that the woman is not aware of her own beauty. This line implies that beauty is not something that can be measured or quantified, but it is something that is felt by those around us.

Conclusion

"A Mien to move a Queen" is a complex and layered poem that explores the power of beauty and its effect on those around us. The poem suggests that beauty is not just about physical appearance, but also about the way a person carries themselves and the emotions they evoke. The poem also implies that beauty is fragile and can be shattered at any moment. Ultimately, the poem suggests that beauty is a powerful force that can influence even the most powerful individuals in the world.

As we reflect on this poem, we realize that beauty is not something that can be easily defined or understood. It is a complex and multifaceted concept that extends beyond physical appearance. Emily Dickinson has given us a glimpse into the power of beauty, and we are left with a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer magnitude of its influence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's poem, "A Mien to Move a Queen," is a masterpiece of poetic artistry. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, as she uses her words to create a vivid and powerful image of a queen who is moved by the mien of a commoner. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the mien of a commoner who has caught the attention of a queen. The speaker describes the mien as "a manner like a morning rose," which suggests that the commoner's demeanor is as beautiful and delicate as a flower. The use of the word "manner" is significant because it suggests that the commoner's mien is not just a physical attribute, but also a reflection of their character and personality.

The speaker goes on to describe the queen's reaction to the commoner's mien, saying that "the queen too gentle lie to note." This line is significant because it suggests that the queen is so moved by the commoner's mien that she is unable to speak or take notice of anything else. The use of the word "gentle" is also significant because it suggests that the queen is not just impressed by the commoner's mien, but also touched by it on an emotional level.

The next stanza of the poem describes the commoner's mien in more detail, saying that it is "like one who journeys from afar." This line suggests that the commoner's mien is not just beautiful, but also mysterious and intriguing. The use of the word "journeys" is significant because it suggests that the commoner has a story to tell, and that their mien is a reflection of their experiences and adventures.

The speaker then goes on to describe the queen's reaction to the commoner's mien in more detail, saying that "the queen too courteous lie to die." This line is significant because it suggests that the queen is so moved by the commoner's mien that she is willing to die rather than offend or disrespect the commoner. The use of the word "courteous" is also significant because it suggests that the queen is not just impressed by the commoner's mien, but also respectful of it.

The final stanza of the poem describes the commoner's mien as "a manner so distinguished," which suggests that the commoner's demeanor is not just beautiful and mysterious, but also noble and dignified. The use of the word "distinguished" is significant because it suggests that the commoner's mien is not just a reflection of their character and personality, but also a reflection of their social status and position in society.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem, "A Mien to Move a Queen," is a masterpiece of poetic artistry. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, as she uses her words to create a vivid and powerful image of a queen who is moved by the mien of a commoner. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. The poem is a beautiful and moving tribute to the power of human connection and the importance of character and personality in shaping our interactions with others.

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