'Deprived of other Banquet' by Emily Dickinson
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Deprived of other Banquet,
I entertained Myself—
At first—a scant nutrition—
An insufficient Loaf—
But grown by slender addings
To so esteemed a size
'Tis sumptuous enough for me—
And almost to suffice
A Robin's famine able—
Red Pilgrim, He and I—
A Berry from our table
Reserve—for charity—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Deprived of Other Banquet: A Closer Look at Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is a renowned poet who created a unique style that made her works stand out from her contemporaries. Her poems were often cryptic, with rich imagery and metaphors that require a deeper understanding of her literary style. In one of her most famous works, "Deprived of Other Banquet," Dickinson explores the theme of loneliness and the search for meaning in a world that seems indifferent to human suffering. This literary criticism and interpretation of the poem will delve into the various elements that make up the poem and the possible meanings behind them.
Overview of the poem
"Deprived of Other Banquet" is a short poem that consists of only four quatrains. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABCB. The poem's title is an allusion to Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night," where the character Olivia says, "I am deprived of other banquet." The title sets the tone for the poem and suggests that the speaker is also deprived of something essential - in this case, companionship.
The speaker's search for meaning
The poem's opening lines read, "Deprived of other Banquet, / I entertained Myself—" (1-2). The speaker immediately establishes that they are deprived of something but does not specify what that is. However, the use of the word "banquet" suggests that it is something luxurious or indulgent.
The speaker then goes on to say that they "entertained" themselves. This word suggests that the speaker is trying to distract themselves from their loneliness. The use of the word "entertained" creates an image of the speaker putting on a show for themselves, as if they are trying to amuse themselves in the absence of others. This image is further emphasised in the third line, where the speaker says, "With a Thing impalpable—" (3). The use of the word "impalpable" suggests that the thing the speaker is entertaining themselves with is intangible and cannot be physically touched.
But what is this "thing impalpable?" The poem suggests it is the speaker's thoughts and imagination. The speaker goes on to describe this thing as "Unarmed— / Diviner—Presencer" (3-4). These descriptions suggest that the speaker is using their imagination to create a presence that is not physically there. This creates the impression that the speaker is trying to fill the void left by the absence of others with their own thoughts and imagination.
Isolation and the natural world
The second quatrain establishes a contrast between the speaker's isolation and the natural world. The speaker says, "Yet—is it not as potent, / as Magic, or as Prayer— / To fabricate my own— / Small—fellowship to share—" (5-8). The speaker is suggesting that their imagination is as powerful as magic or prayer. This suggests that the speaker is using their imagination to create a world in which they are not isolated.
The use of the word "fabricate" suggests that the speaker is creating something that is not real. However, the speaker argues that this fabrication is as "potent" as magic or prayer. This suggests that the speaker believes that their imagination has the power to create a world in which they are not alone.
The final two lines of the quatrain suggest that the speaker is using their imagination to create a "small" fellowship. This suggests that the speaker is not trying to create a large group of people but rather a few close friends. The use of the word "small" emphasises the speaker's desire for intimacy and human connection.
The third quatrain further emphasises the contrast between the speaker's isolation and the natural world. The speaker says, "I am the Queen—'tis understood— / We vanish without pride— / These are the meekened—Majesties— / Deputed, at the side—" (9-12). The use of the word "Queen" suggests that the speaker is in control of their own world. The speaker is creating their own reality in which they are the ruler.
However, the final two lines of the quatrain suggest that the speaker's power is not absolute. The use of the word "meekened" suggests that the speaker's power is tempered by their isolation. The use of the word "deputed" suggests that the speaker is not the only ruler in their world. There are others who have been delegated to positions of power and who share the speaker's sense of isolation.
The fourth and final quatrain brings the poem to a close. The speaker says, "I'm Nobody! Who are you? / Are you—Nobody—too? / Then there's a pair of us! / Don't tell! they'd advertise—you know!" (13-16). The use of the word "Nobody" suggests that the speaker is acknowledging their own sense of isolation. The speaker is asking if there is anyone else out there who feels the same way.
The final two lines of the poem suggest that the speaker is afraid of being exposed. The use of the word "advertise" suggests that the speaker is afraid of being made into a spectacle. The final line, "you know!" is an exclamation that suggests that the speaker is afraid of being exposed to the wider world.
Conclusion
"Deprived of Other Banquet" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of isolation and the search for meaning in a world that seems indifferent to human suffering. The poem uses rich imagery and metaphor to create a sense of the speaker's isolation and their desire for human connection.
The poem's use of iambic tetrameter and a consistent rhyme scheme create a sense of order in the midst of chaos. The use of allusion to Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" adds depth to the poem and creates a sense of connection to the wider literary tradition.
Overall, "Deprived of Other Banquet" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal human experience of loneliness and the search for meaning.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Deprived of other Banquet: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers with their depth and complexity. One of her most famous poems, "Deprived of other Banquet," is a haunting exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem to uncover its hidden meanings and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "Deprived of other Banquet," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "deprived" suggests a sense of loss or lack, while "banquet" implies a feast or celebration. This contrast between deprivation and abundance is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as the speaker struggles to find fulfillment in a world that seems to offer only emptiness.
The first stanza continues with the lines, "But scantier, every Day-- / Whose crumbs the crows inspect." Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of crumbs to represent the small pleasures and joys of life that the speaker is forced to subsist on. The fact that these crumbs are being inspected by crows suggests that even these meager offerings are not safe from the depredations of the world, and that the speaker's sense of security and comfort is constantly under threat.
The second stanza deepens this sense of unease, as the speaker describes the world around them as "A narrow Fellow in the Grass." This line is a reference to a famous poem by Dickinson, "A narrow Fellow in the Grass," which describes a snake slithering through the grass. In this context, the snake represents the dangers and uncertainties of life, which are always lurking just beneath the surface. The fact that the snake is described as "narrow" suggests that these dangers are not always immediately apparent, but can strike suddenly and unexpectedly.
The third stanza introduces a new metaphor, as the speaker describes themselves as a "Guest in my own House." This line suggests a sense of alienation and disconnection from one's own life and surroundings, as if the speaker is a stranger in their own skin. This feeling of being an outsider is further emphasized in the next line, which describes the speaker as "a Stranger to the Doors." Here, the doors represent the boundaries and limitations of the speaker's life, which they feel unable to cross or overcome.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of deprivation, as the speaker describes themselves as "a beggarly Account / Of empty Boxes." This line suggests that the speaker's life is empty and meaningless, and that they have nothing of value to offer the world. The fact that they are described as a "beggarly Account" suggests that they are not even worth the effort of keeping track of, and that their existence is insignificant and forgettable.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of the speaker's isolation and despair. The line "Unless Vitality put up / Its Night" suggests that the only way the speaker can escape their sense of emptiness and despair is through some kind of transcendent experience or revelation. The fact that this experience is described as "Night" suggests that it is something mysterious and unknowable, beyond the realm of ordinary experience.
In conclusion, "Deprived of other Banquet" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of deprivation, alienation, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. Through its use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson creates a sense of unease and dislocation that resonates with readers to this day. Whether read as a commentary on the human condition or a personal reflection on Dickinson's own struggles, this poem remains a timeless masterpiece of American literature.
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