'Water, is taught by thirst' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


135

Water, is taught by thirst.
Land—by the Oceans passed.
Transport—by throe—
Peace—by its battles told—
Love, by Memorial Mold—
Birds, by the Snow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Water, is taught by thirst by Emily Dickinson

Oh, what an enigmatic poem this is! Emily Dickinson never ceases to amaze her readers with her profound and cryptic verses. And "Water, is taught by thirst" is no exception. In this poem, Dickinson explores the relationship between desire and fulfillment, using water and thirst as metaphors for the human condition.

Context and Analysis

Before delving into the interpretation of the poem, let's first understand its context. "Water, is taught by thirst" was written around 1862, during a period of intense creativity for Emily Dickinson. She was living in seclusion at her family's homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts, and had already written many of the poems that would later make her famous.

Now, let's move on to the analysis of the poem. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:

"Water, is taught by thirst,
Land -- by the Oceans passed"

Here, Dickinson uses water and land to represent two different aspects of human desire. Water, which is essential for life, is "taught by thirst" - that is, it is our desire for water that gives it its value. Without thirst, water would be just another substance. Similarly, land is given meaning by the oceans that surround it. Without the vastness and mystery of the ocean, land would lose its significance.

The next two lines of the poem further explore this idea:

"Transport -- by throe --
Peace -- by its battles told"

Here, Dickinson suggests that desire is not only necessary for value, but also for growth and progress. "Transport" (a synonym for movement) is achieved through "throes" (a word that implies pain or struggle). Without striving for something better, we would never move forward in life. And "peace" (which is often associated with the absence of desire) can only be understood through its opposite, "battles." In other words, we need conflict and struggle to appreciate peace when we finally achieve it.

The following lines of the poem continue to explore the theme of desire and its relationship to fulfillment:

"Love -- by Memorial Mold --
Birds -- by the Snow"

Here, Dickinson suggests that even the most intangible things (like love) are given meaning by their absence or their opposite. "Memorial Mold" refers to the physical reminders of those we have loved and lost, and it is through these reminders that we understand the depth of our feelings. Similarly, birds are given significance by the snow that covers the ground in winter. Without the contrast between the white snow and the colorful birds, we would not appreciate the beauty of either.

The final two lines of the poem bring everything together:

"Mind -- by the Sun's East --
Moon -- by Fullness told"

Here, Dickinson suggests that our understanding of ourselves and the world around us is constantly evolving. The "Sun's East" represents the dawn of a new day, and our minds are shaped by the experiences and challenges we face each day. And the "Fullness" of the moon represents the cyclical nature of life - just as the moon waxes and wanes, so too do our desires and our understanding of the world.

Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? What is Dickinson trying to tell us with this enigmatic poem? I believe that "Water, is taught by thirst" is ultimately a meditation on the human condition. We are creatures driven by desire, and it is through that desire that we find meaning and purpose in life. Without thirst, water would be meaningless, and without desire, our lives would be empty.

But Dickinson is not advocating for a life of endless striving and desire. Rather, she suggests that it is only through contrast and conflict that we can truly appreciate the things we desire. Love is only meaningful when it is lost, peace is only appreciated after a battle, and water is only valuable because of our thirst.

Furthermore, Dickinson suggests that our understanding of ourselves and the world around us is constantly evolving. We are shaped by our experiences and our desires, and it is only through the cycles of life (represented by the sun and the moon) that we can truly grow and learn.

In conclusion, "Water, is taught by thirst" is a profound and cryptic poem that explores the relationship between desire and fulfillment. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Emily Dickinson suggests that it is through our desires and our struggles that we find meaning and purpose in life. And it is only through the cycles of life that we can truly grow and understand ourselves and the world around us. What a brilliant and thought-provoking poem this is!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Water, is taught by thirst - a classic poem by Emily Dickinson, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, and the fundamental need for water to sustain life. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem opens with the line "Water, is taught by thirst," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "taught" suggests that water is not something that is inherently understood or appreciated, but rather something that is learned through the experience of thirst. This idea is reinforced in the second line, which states that "Land, by the Oceans passed," implying that water is not always readily available, and that it must be sought out and appreciated when it is found.

The theme of appreciation for the simple things in life is a recurring motif throughout the poem. Dickinson writes, "As literature of nature / The universal thirst to teach," suggesting that the experience of thirst is a universal one, and that it is through this experience that we can learn to appreciate the beauty and importance of water. This idea is further reinforced in the third stanza, where Dickinson writes, "Water is taught by thirst / Ocean by the line they touch," implying that it is only through the absence of water that we can truly appreciate its value.

The imagery used in the poem is also significant. Dickinson writes, "Water, is taught by thirst / Sea, by the souls that touch," which suggests that water is not just a physical substance, but also a spiritual one. The use of the word "souls" implies that there is a deeper connection between humans and water, and that it is through this connection that we can learn to appreciate its value.

The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. Dickinson uses short, concise sentences to convey her message, and the repetition of the phrase "Water, is taught by thirst" throughout the poem serves to reinforce the central theme. The use of alliteration in the line "Land, by the Oceans passed" also adds to the musicality of the poem, and helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow.

In conclusion, Water, is taught by thirst is a timeless poem that speaks to the human condition and the fundamental need for water to sustain life. Through its themes, imagery, and language, the poem encourages us to appreciate the simple things in life, and to recognize the value of water in our lives. It is a poem that reminds us of the importance of staying connected to nature, and of the beauty and power that can be found in the simplest of things.

Editor Recommended Sites

WebGPU Guide: Learn WebGPU from tutorials, courses and best practice
Cloud Blueprints - Terraform Templates & Multi Cloud CDK AIC: Learn the best multi cloud terraform and IAC techniques
Crypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Data Migration: Data Migration resources for data transfer across databases and across clouds
Coin Payments App - Best Crypto Payment Merchants & Best Storefront Crypto APIs: Interface with crypto merchants to accept crypto on your sites

Recommended Similar Analysis

November by William Cullen Bryant analysis
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou analysis
Words, Wide Night by Carol Ann Duffy analysis
The show is not the show, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Door in the Dark, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Housewife by Anne Sexton analysis
UPON JULIA'S VOICE by Robert Herrick analysis
Snow by Louis MacNeice analysis
During Wind and Rain by Thomas Hardy analysis
"Strange Fits of Passion Have I Known" by William Wordsworth analysis