'Because 'twas Riches I could own' by Emily Dickinson
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Because 'twas Riches I could own,
Myself had earned it—Me,
I knew the Dollars by their names—
It feels like Poverty
An Earldom out of sight to hold,
An Income in the Air,
Possession—has a sweeter chink
Unto a Miser's Ear—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Because 'twas Riches I could own" by Emily Dickinson: A literary analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest poets of the 19th century, has left behind a rich legacy of poetry that still resonates with readers today. Her unique style, characterized by its spare language and unconventional use of punctuation and capitalization, has earned her a place among the most innovative and influential poets in American literature. Among Dickinson's most famous works is the poem "Because 'twas Riches I could own," a powerful and insightful meditation on the nature of wealth, power, and happiness. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, its linguistic and stylistic features, and its place in the context of Dickinson's career and the broader literary tradition.
Overview of the poem
"Because 'twas Riches I could own" is a short poem consisting of three stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with short lines, unconventional punctuation, and capitalization of certain words for emphasis. The poem begins with the speaker asserting that she could have had riches if she had wished for them, but that she chose instead to "take Happiness." The second stanza explores the nature of that happiness, which the speaker describes as "a thing that cannot die." In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the transience of wealth and the enduring nature of happiness, concluding that "Riches are old-fashioned things."
Themes and motifs
The main theme of the poem is the contrast between wealth and happiness, and the speaker's assertion that happiness is the more valuable of the two. This theme is expressed through a series of motifs and symbols that recur throughout the poem. One such motif is the idea of ownership, which appears in the first line of the poem ("Because 'twas Riches I could own") and is echoed in the third stanza ("He has a sack of riches,/But I the joy within"). The use of the word "own" in the first line suggests a sense of possession and control, while the contrast between the speaker's "joy within" and the other person's "sack of riches" highlights the difference between inner and outer wealth.
Another motif in the poem is the idea of time and transience. This is reflected in the contrast between the enduring nature of happiness ("a thing that cannot die") and the fleeting nature of wealth ("Riches are old-fashioned things"). The use of the word "old-fashioned" suggests that wealth is a relic of the past, while the emphasis on the present moment ("But I the joy within") suggests that happiness is something that can be experienced in the here and now.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of choice and agency, and the speaker's decision to choose happiness over wealth. This theme is expressed through the use of the conditional tense ("I could own") in the first line, which suggests that the speaker had the option to choose wealth but chose happiness instead. This emphasis on choice and agency is also reflected in the line "And I must choose before I go" in the final stanza, which suggests that the speaker has a limited amount of time to make her decision.
Linguistic and stylistic features
One of the most distinctive features of Dickinson's poetry is her use of language, punctuation, and capitalization. In "Because 'twas Riches I could own," we can see several examples of this unique style. For example, the use of the ampersand symbol in the second line ("& I could take Happiness") is an unconventional choice that emphasizes the informality and intimacy of the speaker's voice. Similarly, the use of capital letters for certain words ("Riches," "Happiness") draws attention to their importance and significance within the poem.
Another feature of Dickinson's style is her use of repetition and variation. In "Because 'twas Riches I could own," we can see this in the repetition of the word "own" in the first line and the repetition of the phrase "a thing that cannot die" in the second stanza. These repetitions create a sense of rhythm and pattern, while the variation in the final stanza ("Riches are old-fashioned things") creates a sense of contrast and finality.
Finally, the poem demonstrates Dickinson's skill at using language to convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and evocative way. For example, the line "I could take Happiness" suggests a sense of agency and choice, while the phrase "a thing that cannot die" conveys a sense of permanence and stability.
Context and interpretation
To fully appreciate the depth and richness of "Because 'twas Riches I could own," it is important to place it in the context of Dickinson's career and the broader literary tradition. Dickinson wrote the poem in the mid-1860s, a time when the United States was experiencing rapid economic growth and the rise of industrial capitalism. This context is reflected in the contrast between wealth and happiness in the poem, and the speaker's rejection of the former in favor of the latter.
At the same time, the poem can be seen as a reflection of Dickinson's personal beliefs and experiences. Dickinson was known for her reclusive and introspective nature, and her poetry often explores themes of solitude, mortality, and spirituality. In "Because 'twas Riches I could own," we can see this in the speaker's focus on inner happiness and the transience of material wealth.
In terms of interpretation, the poem can be read as a critique of the capitalist values of Dickinson's time, and a celebration of the importance of inner joy and fulfillment. It can also be seen as a reflection of Dickinson's own struggles with depression and anxiety, and her search for meaning and purpose in life. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own values and priorities, and to consider what truly brings them happiness and fulfillment in life.
Conclusion
"Because 'twas Riches I could own" is a powerful and insightful poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's unique style and ability to explore complex themes and emotions in a concise and evocative way. Through its exploration of the contrast between wealth and happiness, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own values and priorities, and to consider what truly brings them joy and fulfillment in life. Dickinson's legacy as one of the greatest poets of American literature is well-deserved, and her poetry continues to inspire and challenge readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, and her poem "Because 'twas Riches I could own" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the theme of wealth and its impact on human life. Through her use of language, imagery, and symbolism, she creates a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of material possessions and their relationship to happiness and fulfillment.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that "Because 'twas Riches I could own," she pursued them with all her might. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the pursuit of wealth and its consequences. The speaker goes on to describe the various ways in which she sought riches, from "pearls" and "diamonds" to "lands" and "towns." She even suggests that she would have been willing to sacrifice her own soul in order to acquire these things, saying that she would have "sold her Heaven" for the sake of earthly wealth.
However, despite her best efforts, the speaker ultimately realizes that riches are not enough to bring true happiness and fulfillment. She describes how she "found it beggarly" to be rich, and how the "gold" and "silver" she had accumulated were "dross" compared to the things that truly matter in life. She concludes the poem by saying that she has learned to value "Love" and "Truth" above all else, and that these are the things that truly make life worth living.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is Dickinson's use of imagery and symbolism. Throughout the poem, she uses rich and luxurious images to describe the pursuit of wealth, such as "pearls" and "diamonds" and "lands." These images are contrasted with images of poverty and emptiness, such as "beggarly" and "dross." This contrast serves to highlight the emptiness and futility of the pursuit of wealth, and to suggest that true happiness and fulfillment come from other sources.
Another important element of the poem is Dickinson's use of language. She employs a simple and direct style, with short lines and simple words. This simplicity serves to emphasize the stark contrast between the pursuit of wealth and the things that truly matter in life. It also gives the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is urgently trying to convey a message to the reader.
Overall, "Because 'twas Riches I could own" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of wealth and its impact on human life. Through her use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Emily Dickinson creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the pursuit of wealth and its consequences. She suggests that true happiness and fulfillment come not from material possessions, but from the things that truly matter in life, such as love and truth. This message is as relevant today as it was when Dickinson wrote the poem over a century ago, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
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