'Perception of an object costs' by Emily Dickinson
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Perception of an object costs
Precise the Object's loss—
Perception in itself a Gain
Replying to its Price—
The Object Absolute—is nought—
Perception sets it fair
And then upbraids a Perfectness
That situates so far—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Perception of an Object Costs: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem "Perception of an Object Costs" is a short but powerful piece that delves into the complex relationship between perception and reality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices and themes employed in the poem, as well as the overall significance and meaning behind the words.
The Poem: Perception of an Object Costs
Below is the full text of the poem:
Perception of an object costs Precise the object's loss Perception in itself a Gain Replying to its Price —
The themes and motifs employed in this poem are characteristic of Dickinson's style, with its emphasis on introspection and the personal experience. It is a short yet thought-provoking piece that challenges the reader to reflect on the nature of perception and its relationship to reality.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices used in this poem is the use of paradox. Dickinson suggests that the act of perceiving an object also results in the loss of that object. This is a paradox because one would assume that perceiving an object would only enhance one's experience of it, rather than detract from it.
However, Dickinson is suggesting that perception is not a neutral act, but rather one that carries a cost. This cost is the loss of the object's original state, as it becomes filtered through the perceiver's own subjective experience. This is a powerful statement about the nature of perception and its role in shaping our understanding of reality.
Another important literary device employed in this poem is metaphor. Dickinson compares perceiving an object to the act of purchasing something at a price. This metaphor serves to highlight the cost of perception, and the fact that it is not a free or neutral act. Rather, perception requires an investment of energy and attention, and this investment has a tangible cost.
Themes
The themes explored in this poem are wide-ranging and complex, but a few key themes stand out. The first is the relationship between perception and reality. Dickinson suggests that our perception of reality is not a neutral act, but rather one that shapes and alters our experience of the world.
Furthermore, she suggests that this alteration comes at a cost, as our perception of reality necessarily involves a loss of the object's original state. This theme speaks to the human desire to know and understand reality, and the inherent challenges and limitations that come with that pursuit.
Another important theme explored in this poem is the subjective nature of perception. Dickinson suggests that our perception of an object is filtered through our own personal experiences and biases, and thus no two people will perceive an object in exactly the same way. This theme speaks to the complexity of human experience and the challenge of truly understanding another person's perspective.
Interpretation
The overall meaning and significance of this poem is complex and multifaceted, but a few key interpretations stand out. One interpretation is that Dickinson is critiquing the limitations of human perception. She suggests that our perception of reality is necessarily limited and subjective, and that this subjectivity comes at a cost.
Furthermore, she suggests that our perception of reality is always filtered through our own personal experiences and biases. This speaks to the inherent challenge of truly understanding another person's perspective and the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships.
Another interpretation of this poem is that Dickinson is commenting on the nature of human knowledge. She suggests that our pursuit of knowledge and understanding comes at a cost, and that this cost is the loss of the object's original state. This speaks to the inherent limitations of human knowledge and the fact that our understanding of reality is always necessarily incomplete.
Furthermore, this interpretation suggests that Dickinson is questioning the value of knowledge and understanding in the face of the inherent limitations of human perception. She suggests that there may be a cost-benefit analysis to be made when it comes to pursuing knowledge and understanding, and that this pursuit may not always be worth the cost.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's poem "Perception of an Object Costs" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that challenges the reader to reflect on the nature of perception and its relationship to reality. Through its use of paradox, metaphor, and introspection, the poem explores the complex themes of perception, subjectivity, and the limitations of human knowledge.
Ultimately, the poem suggests that our perception of reality comes at a cost, and that this cost is the loss of the object's original state. This speaks to the inherent challenges and limitations of human understanding, and the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships. Overall, "Perception of an Object Costs" is a beautiful and profound work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Perception of an object costs: An in-depth 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 to this day. One of her most famous poems, "Perception of an object costs," is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the nature of perception and the cost of understanding the world around us. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "Perception of an object costs," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "costs" suggests that there is a price to be paid for understanding the world around us, and that this price is not always easy to bear. The poem goes on to describe the process of perception, using vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the complexity of the human mind.
The second stanza of the poem reads:
"A seer's sight costs him a crown; But mine, a poverty. I'm poorest of the beggars; Though not so poor as he."
Here, Dickinson contrasts the experience of a "seer" with her own perception. The seer's sight "costs him a crown," which suggests that his ability to see beyond the surface of things comes at a great price. In contrast, Dickinson's own perception is described as a "poverty," which suggests that she lacks the ability to see as deeply as the seer. However, she also notes that she is "not so poor as he," which suggests that there is some value in her own perception, even if it is not as profound as the seer's.
The third stanza of the poem reads:
"Say, lady, what of yours? Gold, or silver, or diamonds, Vehicles of surpassing worth, But not of priceless eyes."
Here, Dickinson addresses a "lady" and asks her what she values most in life. The lady's possessions are described as "vehicles of surpassing worth," which suggests that they are valuable in a material sense. However, they are "not of priceless eyes," which suggests that they do not have the same value as the ability to perceive the world deeply and meaningfully.
The fourth stanza of the poem reads:
"Mine, too, and of the bee; Birthdays of the butterfly, Matched with the whim of me."
Here, Dickinson compares her own perception to that of a bee and a butterfly. The bee and butterfly are both creatures that rely on their senses to navigate the world around them, and their perception is described as being tied to their very existence. Dickinson suggests that her own perception is similarly tied to her own whims and desires, and that it is a fundamental part of who she is.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem reads:
"Nature, the gentlest mother, Impatient of no child, The feeblest or the waywardest, Her admonition mild In forest and the hill By traveller is heard, Restraining rampant squirrel Or too impetuous bird. How fair her conversation, A summer afternoon, Her household, her assembly; And when the sun goes down Her voice among the aisles Incites the timid prayer Of the minutest cricket, The most unworthy flower. When all the children sleep She turns as long away As will suffice to light her lamps; Then, bending from the sky With infinite affection And infiniter care, Her golden finger on her lip, Wills silence everywhere."
In this final stanza, Dickinson describes the beauty and power of nature, which is the ultimate source of all perception. Nature is described as a "gentlest mother" who is "impatient of no child," which suggests that she is accepting of all forms of perception, no matter how feeble or wayward. The image of nature restraining a "rampant squirrel" or "too impetuous bird" suggests that even the wildest and most chaotic forms of perception can be tamed and brought into harmony with the natural world.
Overall, "Perception of an object costs" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of perception and the cost of understanding the world around us. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson conveys the complexity and beauty of the human mind, and the importance of perception in shaping our understanding of the world. Whether we are seers, beggars, or something in between, Dickinson suggests that our perception is a fundamental part of who we are, and that it is something to be cherished and celebrated.
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