'A Charm invests a face' by Emily Dickinson
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A Charm invests a face
Imperfectly beheld—
The Lady dare not lift her Veil
For fear it be dispelled—
But peers beyond her mesh—
And wishes—and denies—
Lest Interview—annul a want
That Image—satisfies—
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Charm Invests a Face: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem "A Charm Invests a Face" is a classic piece of American literature. The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that traditionally follows a specific rhyme scheme. Dickinson's sonnet is composed of two quatrains, which are four-line stanzas, and two tercets, which are three-line stanzas. The poem's rhyme scheme is ABCB DEFE GG, which means the first and third lines of the quatrains rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines, and the tercets rhyme with each other.
The poem's theme and meaning
The poem's theme is the power of physical beauty. Dickinson describes the effect that a beautiful face has on a person's heart and mind. She says that a beautiful face has a "charm" that invests it, which means that it has a magical quality that captivates and enchants those who see it. The poem's speaker also suggests that the beauty of a face can deceive people into thinking that the person is virtuous or kind. However, the poem's final tercet reveals that the speaker knows that the beauty of a face is not necessarily an indication of a person's character: "And this, no face forgiven / Rather this than any grace / We will trust in this alone."
The speaker's final lines suggest that physical beauty is not the only thing that matters. Instead, the speaker values something else, something more trustworthy than a beautiful face. The speaker implies that true virtue and character are more important than physical beauty.
The poem's imagery
Dickinson's poem is filled with vivid imagery that helps to convey the power of physical beauty. For example, the poem's opening line describes the face as having a "charm" that invests it. This metaphorical language implies that physical beauty has a magical quality that captivates and enchants those who see it.
Later in the poem, the speaker describes the effect that a beautiful face has on a person's heart and mind. The speaker says that a beautiful face can "banish" sadness and "charm" the mind. This language implies that physical beauty has the power to change a person's emotional state.
The poem's tercets also use vivid imagery to convey the speaker's message. The first tercet describes the deceptive power of physical beauty. The speaker suggests that a beautiful face can deceive people into thinking that the person is virtuous or kind. However, the final tercet reveals that the speaker knows that the beauty of a face is not necessarily an indication of a person's character.
The poem's structure
Dickinson's poem follows a specific structure that helps to convey its meaning. As mentioned earlier, the poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that traditionally follows a specific rhyme scheme. The poem is composed of two quatrains and two tercets, which are arranged in a specific order. The first quatrain establishes the poem's theme, while the second quatrain expands on it. The first tercet contains a shift, or a turn, in the poem's subject matter, and the final tercet reveals the poem's message.
The poem's message
Dickinson's poem is a commentary on the power of physical beauty. The poem's speaker suggests that physical beauty has a magical quality that captivates and enchants those who see it. However, the speaker also implies that physical beauty is not the only thing that matters. The final tercet reveals that the speaker values something else, something more trustworthy than a beautiful face. The speaker implies that true virtue and character are more important than physical beauty.
The poem's relevance today
Despite being written over 150 years ago, Dickinson's poem still resonates with readers today. The poem's message about the power of physical beauty is still relevant in a society that places a high value on physical appearance. The poem's final message, that true virtue and character are more important than physical beauty, is also relevant today. In a world that often values superficial qualities over deeper ones, Dickinson's poem reminds us of the importance of looking beyond the surface to find true value in others.
Overall, "A Charm Invests a Face" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message about the power of physical beauty and the importance of true virtue and character is timeless and relevant in a society that often values superficial qualities over deeper ones.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Charm Invests a Face: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, wrote a plethora of poems that have stood the test of time. One such poem is "A Charm Invests a Face," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "A charm invests a face." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The word "charm" is used to describe something that is enchanting, captivating, and alluring. The use of this word suggests that the face being described is not just any ordinary face but one that possesses a certain quality that is irresistible.
The next line reads, "Imperfectly beheld." This line suggests that the face being described is not fully understood or appreciated. The word "imperfectly" implies that there is more to the face than what meets the eye. It is as if the face is hiding something, and the reader is being invited to look deeper.
The third line reads, "The lady dare not lift her veil." This line adds to the mystery surrounding the face. The use of the word "dare" suggests that there is something dangerous or forbidden about lifting the veil. The word "lady" suggests that the face belongs to a woman of high social standing. The veil is a symbol of secrecy and mystery, and the fact that the lady is not lifting it adds to the intrigue of the poem.
The fourth line reads, "For fear it be dispelled." This line suggests that the lady is afraid that if she lifts the veil, the charm that invests her face will disappear. The word "dispelled" means to scatter or disperse, and it implies that the charm is fragile and easily broken. This line adds to the sense of fragility and delicacy that surrounds the face.
The fifth line reads, "But peers beyond her mesh." This line suggests that the speaker is trying to catch a glimpse of the face beyond the veil. The word "peers" implies that the speaker is looking closely and intently, trying to see beyond the surface. The word "mesh" suggests that there is a barrier between the speaker and the face, but the speaker is determined to see beyond it.
The sixth line reads, "And wishes, and denies." This line adds to the complexity of the poem. The word "wishes" suggests that the speaker desires to see the face, but the word "denies" suggests that there is something preventing the speaker from doing so. This line creates a sense of tension and conflict, as the speaker is torn between their desire to see the face and their inability to do so.
The seventh line reads, "Lest interview annul a want." This line suggests that the speaker is afraid that if they were to see the face, their desire for it would disappear. The word "interview" means to have a meeting or conversation, and it implies that seeing the face would be a personal encounter. The word "annul" means to cancel or invalidate, and it implies that the desire for the face is fragile and easily destroyed.
The eighth and final line reads, "And ardors crisp anoint." This line adds to the sense of mystery and enchantment that surrounds the face. The word "ardors" means passions or desires, and the word "crisp" suggests that these passions are fresh and new. The word "anoint" means to smear or rub with oil, and it implies that the passions are being consecrated or blessed in some way.
In conclusion, "A Charm Invests a Face" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mystery, desire, and fragility. The poem uses language and imagery to create a sense of enchantment and intrigue, inviting the reader to look deeper and explore the hidden depths of the face. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of language and imagery has made this poem a classic of English literature, and it continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.
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