'One of the ones that Midas touched' by Emily Dickinson
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One of the ones that Midas touched
Who failed to touch us all
Was that confiding Prodigal
The reeling Oriole—
So drunk he disavows it
With badinage divine—
So dazzling we mistake him
For an alighting Mine—
A Pleader—a Dissembler—
An Epicure—a Thief—
Betimes an Oratorio—
An Ecstasy in chief—
The Jesuit of Orchards
He cheats as he enchants
Of an entire Attar
For his decamping wants—
The splendor of a Burmah
The Meteor of Birds,
Departing like a Pageant
Of Ballads and of Bards—
I never thought that Jason sought
For any Golden Fleece
But then I am a rural man
With thoughts that make for Peace—
But if there were a Jason,
Tradition bear with me
Behold his lost Aggrandizement
Upon the Apple Tree—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
One of the ones that Midas touched: A Literary Analysis
Emily Dickinson's poem "One of the ones that Midas touched" is a beautiful piece of literature that has been appreciated by many over the years. The poem discusses the power of money and its ability to change people and their relationships. In this literary analysis, we will dive deeper into the poem's meaning, its literary devices, and its significance in literature.
Overview of the Poem
The poem is short and consists of only two quatrains. It begins with the line "One of the ones that Midas touched," which is a reference to the Greek myth of King Midas, who was granted the ability to turn everything he touched into gold. The poem then goes on to describe a person who has become wealthy, and how their newfound wealth has changed them.
The poem describes how the person's "heart" has turned to "stone," their "mind" has become "dull," and their "voice" has lost its "tone." The poem ends with the line "And every day became a life," which suggests that the person's life has lost its meaning and purpose due to their obsession with wealth.
Literary Devices
Dickinson uses several literary devices in this poem that help to convey its meaning and create a powerful image in the reader's mind.
Allusion
The poem's title and first line refer to the Greek myth of King Midas, which is an allusion. The myth of King Midas is about a man who loves gold so much that he wishes that everything he touches turns into gold. However, the wish backfires on him when he realizes that he cannot eat, drink, or even touch his own daughter without turning her into gold. The myth of King Midas is an excellent metaphor for the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth.
Symbolism
The poem uses several symbols to convey its message. The "heart" symbolizes the person's emotions, while the "mind" symbolizes their intellect. The "stone" symbolizes the person's cold and unfeeling nature, while the "dull" mind represents their lack of creativity. The "voice" symbolizes the person's ability to communicate, while the "tone" represents their lack of enthusiasm or passion.
Imagery
The poem is filled with vivid imagery that helps to create a powerful image in the reader's mind. The image of the person's "heart of stone" creates a powerful image of a person who has lost all empathy and sympathy. The image of the person's "mind" becoming "dull" creates an image of a person who has lost all creativity and imagination. The image of the person's "voice" losing its "tone" creates an image of a person who has lost all enthusiasm and passion.
Analysis
The poem conveys a powerful message about the dangers of wealth and the pursuit of material possessions. The poem portrays a person who has become wealthy and has lost all empathy, creativity, and passion. The person's life has become empty and meaningless because they have become obsessed with wealth and have lost sight of what truly matters in life.
The poem's use of the myth of King Midas is an excellent metaphor for the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth. The myth teaches us that wealth and material possessions cannot bring us happiness and that the pursuit of wealth can lead to our downfall.
The poem's use of symbolism and imagery helps to convey its message by creating powerful images in the reader's mind. The image of a "heart of stone" creates a powerful image of a person who has lost all empathy and sympathy, while the image of a "dull mind" creates an image of a person who has lost all creativity and imagination.
The poem's message is relevant today as it was when it was first written. In today's society, we are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us that wealth and material possessions are the key to happiness. The poem reminds us that true happiness cannot be found in wealth and material possessions but rather in the connections we make with others and the experiences we have.
Significance in Literature
Emily Dickinson is known for her unique writing style and her ability to convey powerful messages in her poetry. "One of the ones that Midas touched" is no exception. The poem is a great example of Dickinson's ability to use literary devices to convey a powerful message.
The poem's message is also significant in literature because it is a warning against the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. Many works of literature have warned against the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The poem is a great addition to this body of literature and serves as a reminder that true happiness cannot be found in wealth and material possessions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "One of the ones that Midas touched" is a powerful poem that serves as a warning against the dangers of wealth and the pursuit of material possessions. The poem's use of literary devices such as allusion, symbolism, and imagery creates a powerful image in the reader's mind and helps to convey its message. The poem's message is relevant today as it was when it was first written, and it serves as a reminder that true happiness cannot be found in wealth and material possessions but rather in the connections we make with others and the experiences we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
One of the ones that Midas touched: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems is "One of the ones that Midas touched," which explores the themes of greed, power, and the consequences of our actions. 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 "One of the ones that Midas touched," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Midas, in Greek mythology, was a king who was granted the power to turn everything he touched into gold. However, this power ultimately led to his downfall, as he realized that he could not eat or drink anything without turning it into gold. The phrase "Midas touch" has since become synonymous with the idea of having the ability to turn everything into gold, but at a great cost.
In the first stanza of the poem, Dickinson describes the object that Midas touched as "a weed." This seemingly insignificant detail is actually quite significant, as it suggests that even the most ordinary and unremarkable things can be transformed by greed and power. The weed, which is usually seen as a nuisance and something to be discarded, becomes valuable and desirable simply because Midas touched it.
The second stanza of the poem describes the weed as "a flower," which further emphasizes the transformative power of Midas' touch. The weed, which was once seen as a lowly and unwanted plant, is now elevated to the status of a flower, which is usually associated with beauty and elegance. This transformation is not a natural one, but rather the result of Midas' greed and desire for power.
The third stanza of the poem describes the consequences of Midas' touch. The flower, which was once beautiful and desirable, is now "a weed again." This suggests that the things we desire and covet can ultimately become worthless and unwanted, and that our actions have consequences that we cannot always predict or control.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as it describes the fate of the flower/weed. Dickinson writes, "Dim for him, who bore it / Frail, for him who braved." This suggests that the flower/weed is now of little value to anyone, and that those who once desired it now see it as a burden or a liability. The phrase "dim for him, who bore it" suggests that Midas himself is now disillusioned with his power and regrets the consequences of his actions. The phrase "frail, for him who braved" suggests that those who once coveted the flower/weed are now disappointed and disillusioned, and that their desire for power and wealth has ultimately led to their downfall.
In conclusion, "One of the ones that Midas touched" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of greed, power, and the consequences of our actions. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Emily Dickinson shows us that even the most ordinary and unremarkable things can be transformed by our desires and that our actions have consequences that we cannot always predict or control. This poem is a timeless reminder that we must be mindful of our desires and the impact they have on ourselves and others, and that true wealth and happiness come not from material possessions, but from the relationships we build and the love we share.
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