'God made a little Gentian' by Emily Dickinson
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God made a little Gentian—
It tried—to be a Rose—
And failed—and all the Summer laughed—
But just before the Snows
There rose a Purple Creature—
That ravished all the Hill—
And Summer hid her Forehead—
And Mockery—was still—
The Frosts were her condition—
The Tyrian would not come
Until the North—invoke it—
Creator—Shall I—bloom?
Editor 1 Interpretation
"God made a little Gentian" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of the American literary canon. Her works are known for their unconventional style, spiritual themes, and vivid imagery. One of her most famous poems is "God made a little Gentian", a powerful and evocative work that explores the themes of nature, divinity, and mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the poem's structure, language, and symbolism to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Structure
The poem comprises three stanzas of four lines each. The first and second stanzas follow a similar structure, with the first two lines posing a question or making a statement, and the next two lines providing an answer or explanation. The third stanza breaks from this pattern, with the first two lines posing a question that is not answered in the final two lines. This structure creates a sense of tension and unresolved mystery that adds to the poem's overall impact.
Language
Dickinson's language in this poem is simple and direct, yet rich with meaning. The title, "God made a little Gentian", immediately establishes the poem's subject and sets the tone for the rest of the work. The use of the word "little" suggests something delicate and vulnerable, while "Gentian" refers to a type of flower that is known for its bright blue color and medicinal properties. This combination of fragility and beauty is echoed throughout the poem, and underscores its themes of mortality and transcendence.
The first stanza begins with the question, "God made a little Gentian, / It tried to be a Rose / And failed – and all the Summer laughed". This opening immediately establishes the poem's central conflict: the Gentian's desire to be something other than what it is. The line "It tried to be a Rose / And failed" is particularly poignant, as it suggests the Gentian's sense of inadequacy and failure. The final line, "And all the Summer laughed", introduces a note of irony and cruelty, suggesting that the natural world is indifferent to the Gentian's struggles.
The second stanza continues in the same vein, with the speaker asking, "But just as he – recurrent / Was the seer – / His little circuits hesitate". The use of the word "recurrent" suggests a cyclical pattern, and hints at the poem's themes of rebirth and renewal. The line "His little circuits hesitate" is both playful and melancholy, suggesting the Gentian's tentative movements and uncertain fate.
The third stanza shifts the focus from the Gentian to the speaker, who asks the question, "Ample make this Bed – / Make this Bed with Awe – / In it wait till Judgment break / Excellent and Fair". This final stanza is the most enigmatic, and has been interpreted in a variety of ways. Some critics see it as a prayer or meditation on death and the afterlife, while others view it as a celebration of the natural world and the beauty of creation. Whatever its meaning, the final lines are filled with a sense of awe and reverence, and leave the reader with a feeling of transcendent mystery.
Symbolism
Like many of Dickinson's poems, "God made a little Gentian" is rich in symbolism and metaphor. The Gentian itself can be seen as a symbol of the human soul, struggling to find its place in the world. Its desire to be a Rose suggests the human desire for perfection and transcendence, while its ultimate failure highlights the inevitability of mortality and the imperfection of all earthly things.
The Summer, with its laughter and indifference, can be seen as a symbol of the natural world, with all its beauty and cruelty. The speaker's circuitous movements and hesitant steps suggest the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem chaotic and arbitrary. And the final lines, with their talk of Judgment and awe, suggest a deep reverence for the divine, and a sense of the ultimate mystery at the heart of existence.
Conclusion
"God made a little Gentian" is a work of great power and beauty, filled with rich imagery and profound insights into the human condition. Through its use of language, structure, and symbolism, it explores themes of mortality, divinity, and transcendence, leaving the reader with a sense of awe and wonder at the mystery of existence. As one of Emily Dickinson's most celebrated poems, it stands as a testament to her unique voice and vision, and continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
God Made a Little Gentian: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. Among her many poems, "God made a little Gentian" stands out as a classic that captures the essence of her poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the meaning, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.
The poem begins with the line, "God made a little Gentian." The word "gentian" refers to a small, blue flower that grows in the mountains. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the delicate nature of the flower. The fact that God made it suggests that it is a creation of divine beauty and perfection. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which celebrates the beauty of nature and the wonder of creation.
The second line reads, "It tried to be a Rose." This line introduces the central theme of the poem, which is the struggle of the gentian to be something it is not. The gentian, like many of us, tries to be something it is not, in this case, a rose. This line also introduces the idea of aspiration, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The gentian's desire to be a rose is a metaphor for our own desire to be something we are not, to reach for something beyond our grasp.
The third line reads, "And failed." This line is short and simple, but it carries a lot of weight. The gentian's failure to be a rose is a reminder that we cannot always be what we want to be. It is a reminder that we must accept ourselves for who we are and not try to be something we are not. This line also introduces the idea of imperfection, which is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The gentian's failure to be a rose is a reminder that we are all imperfect, and that is okay.
The fourth line reads, "And all the Summer laughed." This line is a bit more complex than the previous ones. The use of the word "Summer" is significant because it represents a time of growth and abundance. The fact that "all the Summer laughed" suggests that the gentian's failure to be a rose is not a big deal. It is just a part of the natural order of things. The laughter of the Summer is a reminder that life goes on, and we should not take ourselves too seriously.
The fifth line reads, "But just before the Snows." This line introduces a sense of urgency to the poem. The fact that the gentian's failure to be a rose happens "just before the Snows" suggests that time is running out. Winter is coming, and the gentian's time to bloom is limited. This line also introduces the idea of mortality, which is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The gentian's time is limited, just like ours. We must make the most of the time we have.
The sixth line reads, "There rose a Purple Creature." This line introduces a new character to the poem, the "Purple Creature." The use of the word "creature" suggests that this is not just any flower, but something more mysterious and magical. The fact that it is purple is significant because purple is often associated with royalty and nobility. This line also introduces the idea of transformation, which is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The gentian has transformed into something new and beautiful.
The seventh line reads, "That ravished all the Hill." This line is significant because it suggests that the Purple Creature is not just beautiful, but also powerful. The fact that it "ravished all the Hill" suggests that it has the ability to captivate and enchant. This line also introduces the idea of the sublime, which is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The Purple Creature is not just beautiful, but also awe-inspiring.
The eighth line reads, "And Summer hid her forehead." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret. The use of the word "forehead" suggests that Summer is ashamed or embarrassed. The fact that she is hiding suggests that she does not want to be seen. This line could be interpreted in a few different ways. One possibility is that Summer is jealous of the Purple Creature's beauty and power. Another possibility is that Summer is humbled by the Purple Creature's sublime nature.
The ninth line reads, "Mocked the Crow, and scattered the Glee." This line is significant because it suggests that the Purple Creature's beauty and power have disrupted the natural order of things. The fact that it "mocked the Crow" suggests that even the most common and mundane things are affected by its presence. The fact that it "scattered the Glee" suggests that the joy and happiness of Summer have been disrupted. This line also introduces the idea of disruption, which is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The Purple Creature has disrupted the natural order of things, and this disruption has consequences.
The tenth and final line reads, "And the whole Hill was filled with an Awe." This line is significant because it suggests that the Purple Creature's power is not just limited to Summer or the Crow, but it affects everything around it. The fact that the "whole Hill" is filled with awe suggests that the Purple Creature's power is all-encompassing. This line also introduces the idea of the sublime once again. The awe that the Purple Creature inspires is not just admiration, but also a sense of wonder and mystery.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next, gives the poem a sense of flow and continuity.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich with metaphors and symbolism. The gentian's desire to be a rose is a metaphor for our own desire to be something we are not. The Purple Creature is a metaphor for transformation, beauty, and power. The use of color symbolism, with blue representing the gentian and purple representing the Purple Creature, adds depth and complexity to the poem. The use of personification, where Summer is given human qualities, adds a sense of drama and tension to the poem.
In conclusion, "God made a little Gentian" is a classic poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the wonder of creation, while also exploring themes of aspiration, imperfection, mortality, transformation, disruption, and the sublime. The poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and use of literary devices add depth and complexity to the poem, making it a timeless work of art.
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