'"I want"—it pleaded—All its life' by Emily Dickinson
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"I want"—it pleaded—All its life—
I want—was chief it said
When Skill entreated it—the last—
And when so newly dead—
I could not deem it late—to hear
That single—steadfast sigh—
The lips had placed as with a "Please"
Toward Eternity—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I want"—it pleaded—All its life: An In-depth Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem "I want"—it pleaded—All its life is a powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of human longing and desire. This poem is often interpreted as an expression of Dickinson's own desires and the struggles she faced in her life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes, literary devices, and meanings of this classic poem.
Background
Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet who wrote over 1,800 poems. However, during her lifetime, only a few of her poems were published, and she remained relatively unknown. It was only after her death that her work gained recognition and critical acclaim. Dickinson was known for her unique style, which included the use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Her poems often explored themes of death, nature, love, and spirituality.
Poem Analysis
Title
The title of the poem, "I want"—it pleaded—All its life, immediately suggests that the poem is about longing and desire. The use of the word "pleaded" also implies a sense of desperation, as if the speaker is begging for something that they desperately need. The title sets the tone for the rest of the poem and prepares the reader for an emotional and intense experience.
Structure and Form
The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza is written in the present tense, while the second stanza is written in the past tense. The use of different tenses creates a sense of progression and suggests that the speaker's desires have not been fulfilled. The poem does not have a traditional rhyme scheme, but there are internal rhymes and repetitions that create a musical quality to the poem.
Theme
The central theme of the poem is the human desire for fulfillment and happiness. The speaker is pleading for something that they believe will bring them happiness and satisfaction. The poem suggests that this desire is universal and that everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. The speaker's desperate plea reflects the intensity of this desire and the importance of fulfilling it.
Literary Devices
Dickinson uses several literary devices to convey the themes and emotions of the poem. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "I want" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's desire and creating a sense of urgency. The repetition also creates a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the poem's themes.
Another literary device used in the poem is personification. The speaker personifies their desire, suggesting that it has a life of its own. This personification creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and their desire and emphasizes the importance of fulfilling it.
Dickinson also uses imagery throughout the poem. The phrase "all its life" suggests that the speaker's desire has been with them for a long time, perhaps even their entire life. This image of a lifelong desire creates a sense of longing and suggests the depth of the speaker's emotions.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is about Dickinson's own desires and struggles. Dickinson was known to be a recluse and struggled with social anxiety. The poem could be seen as her plea for acceptance and belonging.
Another interpretation is that the poem is about the universal human desire for happiness and fulfillment. The speaker's desperate plea reflects the intensity of this desire and suggests that it is something that everyone experiences at some point in their lives.
The use of the past tense in the second stanza suggests that the speaker's desires have not been fulfilled. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the difficulty of fulfilling our desires and the challenges we face in achieving happiness.
Conclusion
"I want"—it pleaded—All its life is a powerful poem that explores the universal human desire for happiness and fulfillment. The poem's use of repetition, personification, and imagery create a sense of urgency and intensity that reflects the importance of fulfilling our desires. The poem can be interpreted in several ways, but ultimately, it captures the essence of human longing and the struggles we face in achieving our goals.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
"I want"—it pleaded—all its life, is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful representation of the human desire for love, companionship, and fulfillment. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this masterpiece.
Emily Dickinson was known for her unique style of writing, which was characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Her poems were often short, yet they conveyed deep emotions and complex ideas. "I want"—it pleaded—all its life is no exception to this style.
The poem begins with the phrase "I want," which is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's desire and longing for something that they have not yet attained. The use of the word "pleaded" in the title also suggests a sense of desperation and urgency.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
I want—to ask you something— But afraid—afraid you'd tell— But still—I'm just a stranger— And fear I may offend—
In these lines, the speaker expresses their fear of rejection and their hesitation to ask for what they want. The use of the word "afraid" twice in the first two lines emphasizes the speaker's anxiety and uncertainty. The phrase "But still—I'm just a stranger" suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from the person they are addressing, which adds to their fear of offending them.
The second stanza reads:
You cannot know my wonder— Or yet—You could not care— The "I want"—if I dared say— Most certainly—would stare—
In these lines, the speaker acknowledges that the person they are addressing may not understand or care about their feelings. The phrase "You cannot know my wonder" suggests that the speaker's desire is something that is beyond the other person's comprehension. The use of the word "stare" in the last line suggests that the speaker's desire is something that is unusual or unexpected.
The third stanza reads:
The seas—disclose to me This secret—Hush—I'll tell— The skies—forget—they're blue— And pain—forgive—reveal—
In these lines, the speaker suggests that the natural world holds secrets that are not revealed to humans. The phrase "The seas—disclose to me" suggests that the speaker has a special connection to the ocean, which is often associated with mystery and depth. The phrase "The skies—forget—they're blue" suggests that even the most familiar things can hold secrets and surprises. The last line, "And pain—forgive—reveal," suggests that the speaker is willing to endure pain in order to achieve their desire.
The fourth and final stanza reads:
But, most, I'm jealous of the one— Who—just—Your—perfect—hand— Can have the liberty to die— When I—would rather stand—
In these lines, the speaker expresses their jealousy of someone who is close to the person they desire. The phrase "Your perfect hand" suggests that the person the speaker desires is someone who is idealized and admired. The last two lines, "Can have the liberty to die—/ When I—would rather stand—" suggest that the speaker is willing to endure hardship and struggle in order to achieve their desire, rather than giving up or accepting defeat.
Overall, "I want"—it pleaded—all its life is a powerful poem that explores the human desire for love, companionship, and fulfillment. The repetition of the phrase "I want" emphasizes the speaker's longing and desperation, while the use of unconventional syntax and punctuation adds to the poem's emotional intensity. The poem's themes of fear, uncertainty, and jealousy are universal and relatable, making it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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