'Art thou the thing I wanted?' by Emily Dickinson
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Art thou the thing I wanted?
Begone—my Tooth has grown—
Supply the minor Palate
That has not starved so long—
I tell thee while I waited
The mystery of Food
Increased till I abjured it
And dine without Like God—
--
Art thou the thing I wanted?
Begone—my Tooth has grown—
Affront a minor palate
Thou could'st not goad so long—
I tell thee while I waited—
The mystery of Food
Increased till I abjured it
Subsisting now like God—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Art Thou The Thing I Wanted? - A Critical Analysis
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers with their depth, beauty, and mystery. One of her most enigmatic poems is "Art thou the thing I wanted?", which has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation.
In this essay, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and imagery, and attempt to unravel its meaning.
Themes
At its core, "Art thou the thing I wanted?" is a poem about desire, expectation, and disappointment. The speaker addresses an unnamed person or entity, asking if they are the thing she has been searching for, hoping for, dreaming of. She wants to know if they will fulfill her desires, her longings, her expectations.
But as the poem progresses, we realize that the answer is not as simple as a yes or no. The speaker seems to be grappling with a sense of disillusionment, a feeling that the thing she wanted may not exist, or may not be what she thought it was. The poem is a meditation on the nature of desire, and the gap between what we want and what we actually get.
Structure
The poem consists of 6 stanzas, each of which has 4 lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, as well as a feeling of repetition and circularity.
The poem is also notable for its use of punctuation, or lack thereof. Dickinson is known for her idiosyncratic use of dashes, which often serve to create a sense of interruption or hesitation in her lines. In "Art thou the thing I wanted?", the dashes are used sparingly, but their presence is still felt. They create pauses in the lines, giving the reader a chance to reflect on the words and their meaning.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Dickinson was a master of metaphor and symbolism, and "Art thou the thing I wanted?" is full of vivid and evocative images.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its image of the "sapphire" and the "ruby" - two precious stones that symbolize desire and passion. The speaker asks if the thing she wanted is like these stones, something rare and valuable that she has been seeking for a long time.
In the second stanza, the speaker compares the thing she wanted to a bird, an image that suggests freedom, beauty, and grace. But the bird is also elusive and difficult to catch, suggesting that the thing she wants may be just out of reach.
In the third stanza, we get a sense of the speaker's desperation, as she asks if the thing she wanted is the "last drop" of water in a desert. This is a powerful image that conveys a sense of thirst and longing, as well as a feeling of isolation and desperation.
The fourth stanza introduces the idea of deception, as the speaker wonders if the thing she wanted is a "counterfeit," something that looks like the real thing but is actually fake. This is a theme that runs throughout the poem, as the speaker struggles to differentiate between what is real and what is not.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker asks if the thing she wanted is like a "dream" - something that is beautiful and alluring, but ultimately fleeting and insubstantial. This is a poignant image that captures the ephemeral nature of desire, and the way that our hopes and aspirations can vanish like smoke.
Finally, in the sixth stanza, the speaker asks if the thing she wanted is like a "bubble" - an image that suggests fragility and transience. The bubble can burst at any moment, leaving nothing behind but air. This is a fitting image to end the poem on, as it suggests that the thing the speaker wanted may be nothing more than an illusion.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? What is the speaker really asking for, and why does she seem so uncertain and conflicted?
One way to interpret the poem is as a meditation on the human condition. We all have desires and longings, but these can never be fully satisfied. We are always searching for something, always hoping for something, but the thing we want is always just out of reach. The poem captures this sense of yearning and frustration, and suggests that our desires may be nothing more than illusions.
Another way to interpret the poem is as a commentary on the nature of love. The speaker is addressing some kind of lover or beloved, asking if they are the thing she has been searching for. But as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker is not sure what she wants, or if the thing she wants even exists. This could be read as a critique of romantic love, and the way that it can lead us to idealize and project our desires onto others.
Finally, the poem could be interpreted as a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. Dickinson was a poet who was acutely aware of the power of language, and the way that words can both reveal and conceal meaning. The poem is full of rich and evocative images, but they are also elusive and difficult to pin down. The poem invites us to reflect on the limits of language, and the way that it can never fully capture the complexity of human experience.
Conclusion
"Art thou the thing I wanted?" is a poem that rewards close reading and careful attention. It is a deceptively simple work that is full of nuance and complexity, and it invites us to reflect on some of the deepest questions of human existence. Whether we read it as a meditation on desire, a critique of love, or a reflection on the nature of poetry, one thing is clear: this is a poem that will continue to captivate and intrigue readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Art Thou the Thing I Wanted? A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Art Thou the Thing I Wanted?" This poem is a beautiful and haunting exploration of love, longing, and the search for fulfillment. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a simple question: "Art thou the thing I wanted?" This question is both direct and ambiguous, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing someone or something, but we are not sure who or what that is. Is it a lover? A friend? A dream? The question is left open-ended, inviting the reader to interpret it in their own way.
The next line of the poem adds to the mystery: "Behold this little Bane." The word "Bane" is an interesting choice here. It means "a cause of great distress or annoyance," and it suggests that the thing the speaker is addressing is not entirely positive. It is something that has caused pain or difficulty in the past. However, the use of the word "little" softens the blow, making it seem less threatening.
The next few lines of the poem are filled with vivid imagery that adds to the sense of mystery and longing. The speaker describes the thing they are addressing as "The Boon of all my Heaven." The word "Boon" means "a thing that is helpful or beneficial," and it suggests that the thing the speaker is addressing has the potential to bring great joy or happiness. The phrase "all my Heaven" adds to this sense of grandeur and importance. Whatever the thing is, it is clearly very significant to the speaker.
The next line of the poem is one of the most beautiful and evocative: "The Link betwixt us twain." The word "Link" suggests a connection or bond between the speaker and the thing they are addressing. The use of the archaic word "twain" adds to the sense of timelessness and depth. This is not just any connection, but a deep and meaningful one that has existed for a long time.
The next few lines of the poem continue to build on this sense of longing and desire. The speaker describes the thing they are addressing as "Not to be found again." This suggests that the thing is rare or unique, and that the speaker has been searching for it for a long time. The phrase "Not to be found again" also adds a sense of urgency and desperation. The speaker knows that this thing is important, and they fear that they may lose it forever.
The final lines of the poem are some of the most haunting and beautiful. The speaker asks, "Is it too late to touch you, Dear?" This question is heartbreaking in its simplicity. The speaker has been searching for this thing for so long, and now they fear that it may be too late to reach it. The use of the word "Dear" adds to the sense of tenderness and affection. Whatever the thing is, the speaker clearly cares deeply about it.
The poem ends with a final, haunting image: "We this moment knew - Love Marine." The phrase "Love Marine" is a beautiful and mysterious one. It suggests a love that is deep and profound, like the ocean. The use of the word "Marine" adds to this sense of depth and vastness. The final line of the poem is both hopeful and melancholy. The speaker has found this thing they have been searching for, but it may be too late to fully embrace it.
In conclusion, "Art Thou the Thing I Wanted?" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores themes of love, longing, and the search for fulfillment. Emily Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and language creates a sense of mystery and depth that draws the reader in. The poem is open-ended and ambiguous, inviting the reader to interpret it in their own way. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet that this poem continues to captivate and inspire readers over a century after it was written.
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