'The Grass so little has to do' by Emily Dickinson
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The Grass so little has to do—
A Sphere of simple Green—
With only Butterflies to brood
And Bees to entertain—
And stir all day to pretty Tunes
The Breezes fetch along—
And hold the Sunshine in its lap
And bow to everything—
And thread the Dews, all night, like Pearls—
And make itself so fine
A Duchess were too common
For such a noticing—
And even when it dies—to pass
In Odors so divine—
Like Lowly spices, lain to sleep—
Or Spikenards, perishing—
And then, in Sovereign Barns to dwell—
And dream the Days away,
The Grass so little has to do
I wish I were a Hay—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"The Grass so little has to do" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Is there anything quite like a great poem that can transport us to another time or place, that can stir our emotions and make us feel deeply? For centuries, poetry has been one of the most powerful forms of artistic expression, and Emily Dickinson is one of the finest poets of all time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore her famous poem "The Grass so little has to do" and examine its significance within the context of her larger body of work.
Background and Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's important to understand a bit of background about Emily Dickinson and the historical context in which she was writing. Born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickinson lived a mostly reclusive life, choosing to spend her time writing poetry instead of engaging in social activities. She wrote nearly 1,800 poems during her lifetime, but only a handful were published while she was alive. It wasn't until after her death in 1886 that her work began to gain widespread recognition.
Despite her lack of visibility during her lifetime, Dickinson is now widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in American history. Her poetry is known for its complex themes and unconventional style, often featuring short lines, irregular punctuation, and a focus on the natural world. "The Grass so little has to do" is a prime example of these characteristics.
The Poem
The grass so little has to do –
A sphere of simple green,
With only butterflies to brood,
And bees to entertain,
And stir all day to pretty tunes
The breezes fetch along,
And hold the sunshine in its lap
And bow to everything;
And thread the dews all night, like pearls,
And make itself so fine,
A duchess were too common
For such a noticing.
And even when it dies, to pass
In odors so divine,
As lowly spices gone to sleep
Or amulets of pine.
And then to dwell in sovereign barns,
And dream the days away,
The grass so little has to do,
I wish I were a hay!
At first glance, "The Grass so little has to do" may seem like a simple and straightforward poem. It describes the life of a blade of grass, which appears to have a relatively easy and carefree existence. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The first stanza sets the scene by describing the grass as "a sphere of simple green" that is home to only butterflies and bees. The grass is portrayed as being content with its existence, spending its days "stir[ring] all day to pretty tunes / The breezes fetch along." It is a passive participant in the natural world, "hold[ing] the sunshine in its lap / And bow[ing] to everything."
But the second stanza takes a darker turn. The grass is depicted as being fragile and delicate, "thread[ing] the dews all night, like pearls, / And make[ing] itself so fine." It is so fine, in fact, that "A duchess were too common / For such a noticing." The grass is elevated to a higher status than even the most noble of women, emphasizing its beauty and delicacy.
The final stanza takes on a more wistful tone, as the speaker expresses a desire to be like the grass. "I wish I were a hay!" they exclaim, longing for the simplicity and carefree existence of the blade of grass. But even in death, the grass is not forgotten. It "pass[es] in odors so divine," evoking the image of "lowly spices gone to sleep / Or amulets of pine." The grass is elevated even in death, underscoring its significance in the natural world.
Themes and Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? What is Dickinson trying to say with "The Grass so little has to do"? Like many of her poems, there are multiple interpretations that can be drawn from this piece.
One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the beauty and significance of the natural world. The grass may seem insignificant on the surface, but it is a vital part of the ecosystem, providing nourishment and shelter for insects and animals. Dickinson may be suggesting that we should take the time to appreciate the simple things in life, even if they seem unimportant at first glance.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on gender roles and societal expectations. The grass is portrayed as delicate and fragile, but also powerful and significant. By elevating the grass to a higher status than even a duchess, Dickinson may be challenging traditional notions of femininity and suggesting that women are just as important and powerful as men.
Finally, the poem can be read as a meditation on mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The grass is portrayed as being beautiful and significant even in death, suggesting that all things have value and should be appreciated while they are still alive. The speaker's desire to be like the grass may be a reflection on the desire for simplicity and the longing for a life free from the burdens and complexities of modern society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Grass so little has to do" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores a variety of themes and ideas. Through her unconventional style and vivid imagery, Dickinson invites us to rethink our perceptions of the world around us and to appreciate the beauty and significance of even the most seemingly insignificant things. Whether you read it as a commentary on gender roles, a meditation on mortality, or simply a celebration of the natural world, there is something in this poem for everyone. So take a few moments to read it again, and see what new insights you can discover.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Grass so little has to do - Emily Dickinson
The Grass so little has to do is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this poem, Dickinson explores the theme of nature and its relationship with human beings. The poem is short, yet it is packed with meaning and depth, making it a timeless piece of literature.
The poem begins with the line, "The Grass so little has to do," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "little" suggests that the grass has a small role to play in the grand scheme of things. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the grass has a significant role to play in the world.
Dickinson goes on to describe the grass as "a sphere of simple green," which is a beautiful and vivid image. The use of the word "sphere" suggests that the grass is a complete and self-contained entity, which is a powerful metaphor for the natural world. The color green is also significant, as it is often associated with growth, renewal, and life.
The second stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really delves into the relationship between nature and human beings. She writes, "With only butterflies to brood, / And bees to entertain," which suggests that the grass is not concerned with the worries and concerns of human beings. Instead, it is content to be a home for butterflies and bees, which are important pollinators in the natural world.
This stanza also highlights the idea that nature is self-sufficient and does not need human beings to survive. The grass, butterflies, and bees are all able to thrive without any intervention from humans. This is a powerful reminder that we are not the center of the universe and that there is a whole world out there that exists independently of us.
The final stanza of the poem is where Dickinson brings everything together. She writes, "And stir all day to pretty tunes / The breezes fetch along." This line suggests that the grass is content to simply exist and be a part of the natural world. It does not need to strive for anything or achieve any particular goal. Instead, it is happy to be a part of the beauty and harmony of nature.
Overall, The Grass so little has to do is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between nature and human beings. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and unconventional syntax creates a powerful and lasting impression on the reader. This poem is a testament to the power of nature and a reminder that we are all a part of something much bigger than ourselves.
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