'Witchcraft has not a Pedigree' by Emily Dickinson
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Witchcraft has not a Pedigree
'Tis early as our Breath
And mourners meet it going out
The moment of our death—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Witchcraft has not a Pedigree: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson was an American poet who is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. In her poem, "Witchcraft has not a Pedigree," Dickinson explores the theme of witchcraft and the societal attitudes towards it. This literary criticism and interpretation will analyze the poem in detail, examining its structure, themes, symbols, and literary devices.
Structure
The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which adds to its overall impact. The poem follows a consistent structure, which emphasizes its message and themes.
Themes
The primary theme of the poem is witchcraft and the societal attitudes towards it. The poem challenges the common belief that witchcraft is a hereditary trait and suggests that anyone can be accused of witchcraft, regardless of their pedigree. The poem also explores the idea that witchcraft is often associated with women, and that women are more likely to be accused of witchcraft than men. The poem suggests that these societal attitudes towards witchcraft are unjust and misguided, and that they reflect a deeper fear and mistrust of women.
The poem also touches on the theme of power, particularly the power dynamics between men and women. The poem suggests that men hold the power in society, and that they use this power to control and oppress women. The poem questions the validity of this power dynamic and suggests that it is based on fear and ignorance.
Symbols
The poem makes use of several symbols to convey its themes and message. The most significant symbol in the poem is witchcraft itself. Witchcraft is often associated with women, and the poem uses this symbol to explore the societal attitudes towards women. The poem suggests that these attitudes are unjust and that they reflect a deeper fear and mistrust of women.
Another important symbol in the poem is the mirror. The mirror represents the way in which society reflects and reinforces its attitudes towards women. The poem suggests that society sees women as witches, and that this perception is reflected in the way women are treated and viewed. The mirror symbolizes the way in which these attitudes are perpetuated and reinforced.
Literary Devices
The poem makes use of several literary devices to convey its themes and message. The most significant literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The poem uses witchcraft as a metaphor for the societal attitudes towards women. The metaphor allows the poem to explore these attitudes in a more nuanced and complex way, highlighting the injustices and inequalities that exist in society.
The poem also makes use of repetition, particularly in the final stanza. The repetition of the phrase "I am accused" emphasizes the idea that anyone can be accused of witchcraft, regardless of their pedigree. The repetition also adds to the rhythm and musicality of the poem, reinforcing its impact.
Interpretation
"Witchcraft has not a Pedigree" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges the societal attitudes towards witchcraft and women. The poem suggests that these attitudes are unjust and misguided, and that they reflect a deeper fear and mistrust of women. The poem uses metaphor, symbolism, and literary devices to convey its message, adding to its impact and resonance.
The theme of witchcraft is particularly significant in the poem, as it highlights the way in which women are often associated with negative and dangerous stereotypes. The poem challenges these stereotypes and suggests that they are based on fear and ignorance, rather than any real evidence or truth.
The poem also touches on the theme of power dynamics between men and women, highlighting the way in which men hold the power in society and use it to control and oppress women. The poem questions the validity of this power dynamic and suggests that it is based on fear and ignorance, rather than any real evidence or truth.
Overall, "Witchcraft has not a Pedigree" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges the societal attitudes towards witchcraft and women. The poem encourages readers to question these attitudes and to challenge the injustices and inequalities that exist in society. It is a timely and relevant poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Witchcraft has not a Pedigree: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, was known for her unconventional style and themes. Her poem, Witchcraft has not a Pedigree, is a perfect example of her unique approach to poetry. In this 16-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea of witchcraft and its place in society. The poem is full of symbolism and metaphors, and it requires a careful analysis to fully understand its meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "Witchcraft has not a pedigree." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the central theme. The word "pedigree" refers to a person's ancestry or lineage. In this context, Dickinson is suggesting that witchcraft is not something that can be traced back to a particular family or bloodline. It is not something that is inherited or passed down from generation to generation. Instead, witchcraft is something that is learned or acquired through other means.
The second line of the poem reads, "Angels can be hereditary." This line is a contrast to the first line and introduces a new idea. While witchcraft may not have a pedigree, angels do. The word "hereditary" means that something is passed down from one generation to the next. In this case, Dickinson is suggesting that angels are something that can be inherited. This line also introduces the idea of good and evil, which is a recurring theme in the poem.
The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "Sometimes a kindred factor/ Persists despite the vein." These lines are a continuation of the contrast between witchcraft and angels. The word "kindred" means that two things are related or similar in some way. In this case, Dickinson is suggesting that there may be a similarity between witchcraft and angels, despite their differences. The word "vein" refers to a blood vessel, but it can also be used metaphorically to refer to a person's character or temperament. In this context, Dickinson is suggesting that even if someone has a predisposition towards witchcraft or angelic behavior, it may not be evident in their bloodline.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "And when the wizard and the saint/ Divided, sifted through." These lines introduce the idea of a division between the wizard and the saint. The word "wizard" refers to someone who practices witchcraft or magic, while the word "saint" refers to someone who is holy or virtuous. Dickinson is suggesting that there is a clear division between these two types of people. The word "sifted" means to separate or sort through something, and in this context, it suggests that the wizard and the saint have been separated from each other.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "Some grains will be found wanting/ And some surplus to the mood." These lines continue the idea of separation between the wizard and the saint. The word "grains" refers to small particles or pieces, and in this context, it suggests that there are small differences between the wizard and the saint. Some of these differences may be considered "wanting," or lacking, while others may be considered "surplus," or unnecessary. The word "mood" refers to a person's emotional state or attitude, and in this context, it suggests that the differences between the wizard and the saint may be subjective.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "The capes that were the former wearers' / Affidavit to the world." These lines introduce the idea of a cape, which is a type of garment that is worn over the shoulders. In this context, the cape is a symbol of the wizard or saint's former identity. The word "affidavit" refers to a written statement that is sworn to be true, and in this context, it suggests that the cape is a statement to the world about the wizard or saint's former identity.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "The guilded vestments of the crone/ Recall the passing dew." These lines introduce the idea of a "crone," which is an old woman who is often associated with witchcraft. The word "guilded" means covered in gold, and in this context, it suggests that the crone's vestments are ornate or elaborate. The word "recall" means to remember or bring to mind, and in this context, it suggests that the crone's vestments are a reminder of the passing of time.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "The skill that would invest her/ Is her divinity." These lines introduce the idea of skill and divinity. Dickinson is suggesting that the skill that a person possesses is a reflection of their divinity, or their connection to the divine. In this context, the skill may refer to the crone's ability to practice witchcraft or magic.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem read, "To suit a different operation/ Altered, to suit the show." These lines introduce the idea of alteration and show. Dickinson is suggesting that a person's identity can be altered to suit a different operation or purpose. The word "show" refers to a performance or display, and in this context, it suggests that a person's identity can be altered for the sake of appearance.
In conclusion, Witchcraft has not a Pedigree is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of witchcraft, angels, good and evil, and identity. Through the use of symbolism and metaphor, Emily Dickinson challenges the reader to think deeply about these themes and their place in society. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey complex ideas in a concise and poetic manner.
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