'Come show thy Durham Breast' by Emily Dickinson
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Come show thy Durham Breast
To her who loves thee best,
Delicious Robin—
And if it be not me
At least within my Tree
Do the avowing—
Thy Nuptial so minute
Perhaps is more astute
Than vaster suing—
For so to soar away
Is our propensity
The Day ensuing—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Come show thy Durham Breast by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, where do I even start with this poem? Emily Dickinson's "Come show thy Durham Breast" is a complex and intriguing piece of verse that demands a close reading and careful analysis. At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a wealth of meaning and symbolism that speaks to Dickinson's unique poetic voice and perspective.
Overview of the Poem
"Come show thy Durham Breast" is a short, four-stanza poem that features Dickinson's signature use of dashes and unconventional punctuation. The poem is written in the second person, as if the speaker is addressing someone directly. The first stanza sets the tone with an urgent command to "Come show thy Durham Breast," which is repeated in the third stanza. The second and fourth stanzas expand on the metaphor of the breast and offer a series of images and observations that build on the poem's central theme.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking features of this poem is its use of language and imagery. Dickinson's choice of words is both precise and evocative, conjuring up powerful images that resonate with the reader. For example, in the first stanza, she uses the phrase "Durham Breast" to refer to something that is strong, resilient, and enduring. Durham is a city in northern England that was once known for its cattle and beef production, so the image of a Durham breast suggests something that is meaty, substantial, and capable of sustaining life.
This image is expanded on in the second and fourth stanzas, where Dickinson describes the breast as a "bowl of cream" and a "bowl of milk." These images suggest nourishment and comfort, and also evoke a sense of abundance and plenty. The breast is not just strong and resilient, but also generous and life-giving.
But the breast is also a symbol of vulnerability and exposure. In the second stanza, Dickinson describes the breast as "unprotected" and "undisguised," suggesting that it is open to attack and scrutiny. This vulnerability is further underscored in the third stanza, where the speaker insists that the breast be "bare" and "uncovered." The breast is both strong and vulnerable, a paradox that captures the complexity of human existence.
Another key element of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "Come show thy Durham Breast" is repeated twice, creating a sense of urgency and insistence. The repetition also serves to reinforce the central image of the breast, emphasizing its importance and significance. The repetition of the phrase also suggests a certain degree of frustration or impatience on the part of the speaker, as if they are demanding that the breast be revealed in order to satisfy some unfulfilled desire or need.
Finally, the poem's use of punctuation is worth noting. Dickinson's dashes and unconventional punctuation create a sense of fragmentation and disjunction, as if the speaker is struggling to express their thoughts and emotions. The dashes also create a sense of pause and hesitation, as if the speaker is searching for the right words or struggling to articulate their feelings. This sense of uncertainty and hesitancy adds to the poem's overall sense of complexity and richness.
Interpretation of the Poem
So, what does all of this mean? What is Dickinson trying to say with "Come show thy Durham Breast"? As with most of her poetry, the poem is open to interpretation and can be read in a number of different ways. Here are a few possible interpretations:
1. A Call for Honesty and Vulnerability
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a call for honesty and vulnerability. The repeated phrase "Come show thy Durham Breast" suggests that the speaker is demanding that the breast be revealed, uncovered, and unprotected. This could be read as a call for the person being addressed to be honest and open about their true feelings and emotions.
The image of the breast as both strong and vulnerable also reinforces this interpretation. The breast is a symbol of femininity and motherhood, but it is also an exposed and unprotected part of the body. The poem could be read as a call for the person being addressed to embrace their vulnerability and expose their true selves to the world.
2. A Celebration of Life and Nourishment
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of life and nourishment. The image of the Durham breast as a "bowl of cream" and a "bowl of milk" suggests a sense of plenty and abundance. The breast is not just strong and resilient, but also generous and life-giving.
This interpretation is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "Come show thy Durham Breast." The repeated demand for the breast to be revealed could be read as a celebration of the life-giving qualities of the breast. The poem could be seen as a tribute to the power of motherhood and the role that women play in nurturing and sustaining life.
3. A Critique of Patriarchal Society
A third possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of patriarchal society. The image of the breast as exposed and vulnerable could be read as a critique of the way that women are often objectified and treated as mere sexual objects in a male-dominated world. The repeated demand for the breast to be uncovered could be seen as a challenge to the patriarchal norms that dictate how women should dress and behave.
This interpretation is reinforced by the poem's use of language and imagery. The phrase "Durham Breast" suggests a sense of strength and resilience that is often associated with masculinity, while the breast itself is a symbol of femininity and motherhood. The poem could be seen as a critique of the way that patriarchal society often imposes rigid gender roles on men and women, and a call for greater gender equality and freedom.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Come show thy Durham Breast" is a complex and intriguing poem that demands a close reading and careful analysis. The poem's use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of urgency and importance that is hard to ignore. While the poem is open to interpretation, it can be read as a call for honesty, vulnerability, and gender equality, as well as a celebration of the power of motherhood and the role of women in sustaining life. Emily Dickinson's unique poetic voice and perspective shine through in this powerful and thought-provoking work of verse.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Come show thy Durham Breast is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind this beautiful poem.
The poem begins with the line "Come show thy Durham Breast," which is a direct address to the subject of the poem. The Durham Breast refers to the breast of a cow from the Durham breed, which is known for its high milk production. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of nature and its bounty.
In the second line, Dickinson writes, "To her who loves thee best." This line suggests that the subject of the poem is being addressed by someone who loves and appreciates it. The use of the pronoun "her" is interesting because it is not clear who this person is. It could be Dickinson herself, or it could be a representation of all those who love and appreciate nature.
The third line of the poem reads, "Dame nature is a jealous dame." This line is a personification of nature, which is portrayed as a woman who is jealous of those who do not appreciate her beauty and bounty. This line also suggests that nature is something to be revered and respected, and that those who do not appreciate it will suffer the consequences.
The fourth line of the poem is "They love the smallest leaf." This line is a continuation of the theme of appreciation for nature. It suggests that those who truly love nature appreciate even the smallest details, such as a single leaf. This line also highlights the importance of paying attention to the small things in life, which can often be overlooked.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "That trembles in the breeze." This line is a beautiful description of the movement of a leaf in the wind. It suggests that even the smallest things in nature have a life and a beauty of their own.
The sixth line of the poem is "Her sight is all for thee." This line is a continuation of the theme of nature's jealousy. It suggests that nature is always watching and waiting for those who appreciate her beauty and bounty. This line also highlights the importance of being mindful of our surroundings and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "She jealous is of me." This line is a continuation of the personification of nature as a jealous woman. It suggests that those who do not appreciate nature will be jealous of those who do. This line also highlights the importance of being grateful for the blessings we have in life.
The eighth line of the poem is "But let her have the praise." This line is a humble acknowledgement of the greatness of nature. It suggests that even though we may appreciate and love nature, we should always remember that she is the true source of all beauty and bounty.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "I love thee well, O cow!" This line is a direct address to the subject of the poem, the Durham cow. It suggests that the speaker has a deep appreciation and love for this animal, which is a symbol of nature's bounty.
The tenth and final line of the poem is "Thy pleasure let me show." This line is a request to the cow to allow the speaker to share in its pleasure. It suggests that the speaker wants to be a part of nature's bounty and beauty, and that they are willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of it.
In conclusion, Come show thy Durham Breast is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty and bounty of nature. It is a perfect example of Emily Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. This poem reminds us of the importance of appreciating the small things in life and being grateful for the blessings we have. It also highlights the importance of being mindful of our surroundings and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.
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