'Defrauded I a Butterfly' by Emily Dickinson
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Defrauded I a Butterfly—
The lawful Heir—for Thee—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Defrauded I a Butterfly: An Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson was one of the most prolific and enigmatic poets of the 19th century. Her works have been the subject of countless literary criticisms, and her legacy continues to inspire readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Defrauded I a Butterfly," a short but powerful work that explores themes of loss, deception, and the fragility of life.
The Poem
Before we dive into an interpretation of the poem, let's take a closer look at the text itself:
Defrauded I a Butterfly,
The lawful Heir for Thee—
My friend and Neighbor have I none—
Renounced my Wealth for Thee.
The Title is a subtle one—
To witness it, composed
I was engaged to set it down
And give it Artist's Poesy.
It was a summer afternoon—
The sun was in the West—
The caterpillar and the Fly
Were talking of the Frost—
So when a little Butterfly
Crested a sudden hill
They spied a single roundelay
That glowed beneath the Hill—
The Butterfly paused cautiously
And watched awhile the More—
The Caterpillar too, awhile
Resumed his Mellow play—
The Butterfly was ever leal
To Vows of constancy—
For the dear sake of Purity
Experienced Mutiny.
When, of a sudden, all the scene
Awakened with the Bee—
A hundred thousand Butterflies
Bowed to the Deity—
In deference to their Queen—
A humblest flower that grows—
We trust we heard a whimper,
As if a little Girl,
Touched sudden by a Law—
Gave unaccustomed sigh—
As when the Judge surrendered
The Prisoner at the Bar.
And then the solemn Plodding feet
Presented in a row
Enacted this departed Act
And vanished in the Dew—
And I, in my scant Native town,
Defrauded of a Crown,
But dearer, hence, than all the tune
Had Paradise been won.
The Interpretation
At its core, "Defrauded I a Butterfly" is a poem about loss and the ways in which we cope with it. The speaker of the poem has given up everything for someone they love, only to be left with nothing in return. The butterfly, which serves as a metaphor for the speaker's lost love, is "the lawful heir" that has been taken away from them.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and imagery. The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, establishing the speaker's sense of loss and abandonment. They have "renounced [their] wealth" for their love, but now they have "none" to turn to in their time of need.
The second stanza is where things get interesting. The speaker explains that the poem's title is a "subtle one," suggesting that there is more to the story than meets the eye. They were "engaged to set it down / And give it Artist's Poesy," indicating that they are not just a passive observer of the events they describe, but an active participant in the creation of the poem itself.
The third stanza is where the imagery really comes to life. The speaker sets the scene of a summer afternoon, with the sun setting in the west. The caterpillar and the fly are talking about the coming frost, when suddenly a butterfly appears on the scene. The butterfly is cautious at first, watching the other insects play before joining in. However, when the bees arrive, the scene takes a dark turn.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of loss and the speaker's sense of being "defrauded" of something precious. However, the speaker also suggests that there is a deeper meaning to be found in their suffering. They have been "defrauded of a Crown," but in losing everything, they have gained a new perspective on life. They have learned to appreciate the things that truly matter, even if they are not tangible or easily quantifiable.
The Analysis
So what can we take away from "Defrauded I a Butterfly"? First and foremost, the poem is a powerful meditation on loss and the ways in which we cope with it. The speaker has lost something precious to them, but they refuse to give up hope. Instead, they find meaning in their suffering, using it as a springboard for personal growth and self-discovery.
At the same time, the poem is also a commentary on the fragility of life, and the ways in which we can be deceived by the people and things we love. The butterfly, which initially appears to be a symbol of beauty and purity, is ultimately revealed to be just as susceptible to the harsh realities of the world as any other creature.
Overall, "Defrauded I a Butterfly" is a testament to the power of poetry and the enduring legacy of Emily Dickinson. Even after more than a century, her words still speak to us in profound and meaningful ways, reminding us of the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Defrauded I a Butterfly: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in American literature, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, "Defrauded I a Butterfly," is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the fleeting nature of life.
At its core, "Defrauded I a Butterfly" is a poem about the transience of beauty and the inevitability of death. The speaker of the poem is lamenting the loss of a butterfly, which she had captured and kept in a jar. The butterfly, once a symbol of beauty and freedom, is now dead and lifeless, a mere shell of its former self.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her sorrow at the loss of the butterfly. She says, "Defrauded I a Butterfly - / The lawful Heir - for Thee - / A present for a Prince's Court, / Who undertook to die -." Here, the speaker is using the metaphor of a prince's court to represent the beauty and majesty of the butterfly. She had captured the butterfly and kept it in a jar, intending to present it as a gift to someone who would appreciate its beauty. However, the butterfly has now died, and the speaker feels as though she has been cheated out of something that rightfully belonged to her.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of loss and betrayal. The speaker says, "The Butterfly was whole - / And I was dead - / Yet, through my fingers flowed away / Its summer blood." Here, the speaker is using the metaphor of the butterfly's "summer blood" to represent its life force and vitality. She feels as though she has lost something precious and irreplaceable, and that the butterfly's death has drained her of her own life force.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the fleeting nature of life. The speaker says, "But measured, told, and syllabled - / By some imperial thief - / Who left the other - plucking me - / The little Queen of Grief -." Here, the speaker is using the metaphor of an "imperial thief" to represent the passage of time and the inevitability of death. She feels as though her own life is being stolen from her, just as the butterfly's life was taken from it. The "little Queen of Grief" is a reference to the speaker herself, who is now consumed with sadness and mourning.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of loss and transience to a poignant conclusion. The speaker says, "I willed my Keepsakes - Signed away / What portion of me be / Assignable - and then it was / There interposed a Fly -." Here, the speaker is using the metaphor of "Keepsakes" to represent her own life and identity. She feels as though she has given away a part of herself in order to capture and keep the butterfly, but now that the butterfly is dead, she realizes that her own life is just as fleeting and fragile. The "Fly" that interposes itself between the speaker and her own mortality is a reminder that life goes on, even in the face of death and loss.
In conclusion, "Defrauded I a Butterfly" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the fleeting nature of life. Through the metaphor of the butterfly, Emily Dickinson reminds us that beauty and life are precious and fragile, and that we must cherish them while we can. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines of verse.
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