'How good his Lava Bed' by Emily Dickinson

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1447

How good his Lava Bed,
To this laborious Boy—
Who must be up to call the World
And dress the sleepy Day—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

How Good His Lava Bed: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's classic poem, "How Good His Lava Bed," is a powerful meditation on love, passion, and the destructive forces that can sometimes accompany those emotions. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the complexities of Dickinson's poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language in order to better understand its meaning and significance.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to provide some background and context for Emily Dickinson's life and work. Dickinson was a reclusive Massachusetts poet who wrote during the 19th century but was largely unrecognized during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death that her poetry was discovered and published, and it has since become celebrated for its innovative style and powerful themes.

"How Good His Lava Bed" was likely written sometime in the 1860s, when Dickinson was in her thirties. At this time, she was still living at home with her family and had not yet become as reclusive as she would later become. However, her poetry was already beginning to take on the unique and challenging qualities that would make it so influential in later generations.

Analysis

Now, let's turn to the poem itself. Here is the text of "How Good His Lava Bed" in full:

How good his Lava Bed,
How imply --
The Craters his Beloved --
And his,
Significance assist.
Until the scorned
Boy
Accepts his Crucifixion -- 

Offered him --
Then -- resurrects
The Perished -- and
The maimed.

Rejected -- of the
Sovereign -- Wood --
Thou, Bread of Heaven!

Provided, still --
Jehovah's Countenance
Of Seraphs, own!

At first glance, this poem might seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, as we delve further into it, we can begin to tease out some of its themes and meanings.

Love and Passion

One of the most prominent themes in "How Good His Lava Bed" is that of love and passion. The poem begins with a description of the speaker's lover's "Lava Bed," which is both "good" and "imply." The imagery here is powerful; lava is associated with heat, passion, and danger, all of which suggest that the lover's bed is a place of intense emotion and excitement.

However, the poem quickly takes a darker turn. The lover's bed is also described as having "Craters," which implies that it is damaged or flawed in some way. This sets up a tension between the positive and negative aspects of love and desire; while the speaker is clearly drawn to the passion and intensity of her lover, she is also aware that these emotions can be destructive and damaging.

Sacrifice and Redemption

Another key theme in "How Good His Lava Bed" is that of sacrifice and redemption. The poem speaks of a "scorned / Boy" who must accept his "Crucifixion" in order to be resurrected and saved. This biblical imagery is powerful and suggests that the speaker sees her lover as a kind of messiah figure, sacrificing himself for the sake of others.

However, the poem also acknowledges the difficulty and pain of this sacrifice. The lover is "Perished -- and / The maimed" before he can be resurrected, suggesting that the redemption he offers comes at a high cost.

Rejection and Acceptance

Finally, "How Good His Lava Bed" deals with issues of rejection and acceptance. The lover's bed is described as being "rejected" by the "Sovereign -- Wood," which could be read as a metaphor for social norms or convention. However, despite this rejection, the speaker still sees the bed as a place of nourishment and sustenance, provided by "Jehovah's Countenance / Of Seraphs, own!"

This tension between rejection and acceptance is further explored in the image of the "scorned / Boy," who must accept his crucifixion in order to be redeemed. The poem seems to suggest that acceptance of pain and sacrifice is necessary in order to find true love and redemption.

Language and Imagery

Beyond these themes, "How Good His Lava Bed" is also notable for its language and imagery. Dickinson's use of short, simple sentences gives the poem a stark, almost austere quality that enhances its sense of tension and drama. The repetition of the word "His" throughout the poem also emphasizes the lover's dominance and power over the speaker.

The imagery of the lover's Lava Bed is also powerful and evocative. The use of volcanic imagery to represent love and passion is both unexpected and striking, and the suggestion of damage and destruction adds a sense of danger and risk to the poem.

Interpretation

So, what does all of this add up to? What is Dickinson trying to say with "How Good His Lava Bed"? As with much of her work, the poem is open to interpretation and there is no one "correct" answer. However, here are a few possible readings:

Love is Dangerous

One possible interpretation of "How Good His Lava Bed" is that it is a warning about the dangers of love and passion. The imagery of the Lava Bed suggests that these emotions can be intense and powerful, but also destructive and dangerous. By depicting the lover's bed as having "Craters," Dickinson suggests that love can be damaging and leave scars.

Love Requires Sacrifice

Another reading of the poem is that it is an exploration of the idea that love requires sacrifice. The image of the "scorned / Boy" who must accept his crucifixion in order to be resurrected suggests that true love requires a willingness to suffer and sacrifice for others. This reading emphasizes the redemptive aspects of love and suggests that it can be a transformative force.

Love is Nourishing

Finally, "How Good His Lava Bed" could be interpreted as a celebration of love as a source of nourishment and sustenance. Despite the rejection of the lover's bed by the "Sovereign -- Wood," the speaker still finds sustenance and nourishment there, provided by "Jehovah's Countenance / Of Seraphs, own!" This reading emphasizes the positive aspects of love and suggests that it can be a life-giving force.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "How Good His Lava Bed" is a complex and powerful poem that deals with themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Dickinson's use of striking imagery and stark language creates a sense of tension and drama that enhances the poem's themes and meaning. While the poem is open to interpretation, it is clear that Dickinson was grappling with the complexities of human emotion and the impact of love on our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

How Good His Lava Bed: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry that often explores themes of nature, death, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "How Good His Lava Bed," is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that captures the essence of nature's power and beauty. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line, "How good his Lava Bed," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "good" suggests that the speaker is in awe of the lava bed and sees it as something positive and beneficial. The lava bed is not just a natural wonder, but it is also a source of inspiration and wonder for the speaker.

The second line of the poem, "To lie upon for aye," suggests that the speaker wants to be a part of the lava bed, to be one with nature. The use of the word "aye" instead of "ever" or "forever" adds a sense of timelessness to the poem. The speaker wants to be a part of the lava bed not just for a moment, but for all eternity.

The third line of the poem, "Till an Oblivion," adds a sense of finality to the piece. The speaker knows that everything in life is temporary, and eventually, even the lava bed will be forgotten. However, the speaker still wants to be a part of it, to experience its beauty and power while it lasts.

The fourth line of the poem, "Envelopes everything," suggests that the lava bed is all-encompassing. It is not just a physical place, but it is also a state of mind. The lava bed represents the beauty and power of nature, and the speaker wants to be enveloped by it, to be a part of it.

The fifth line of the poem, "The Grass my Pillow grows," adds a sense of comfort to the piece. The speaker wants to lie on the lava bed, but they also want to be surrounded by nature. The grass represents the beauty and simplicity of nature, and the speaker wants to be a part of it.

The sixth line of the poem, "Nor Sun nor Grass disturb," suggests that the speaker wants to be left alone with nature. They do not want any distractions or interruptions, but instead, they want to be fully immersed in the beauty and power of the lava bed.

The seventh line of the poem, "Nature, only, knew," suggests that the speaker sees nature as the only true source of knowledge and wisdom. The lava bed represents the power and beauty of nature, and the speaker wants to learn from it, to be inspired by it.

The eighth and final line of the poem, "Wherefore, the Saucy Birds," adds a sense of playfulness to the piece. The speaker acknowledges that even in the midst of nature's power and beauty, there is still room for playfulness and joy. The birds represent the joy and freedom of nature, and the speaker wants to be a part of it.

In conclusion, "How Good His Lava Bed" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of nature's power and beauty. The speaker is in awe of the lava bed and wants to be a part of it, to experience its beauty and power. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of life's chaos and uncertainty, there is still beauty and wonder to be found in nature. Emily Dickinson's unique style and use of language make this poem a timeless classic that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.

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