'Rather arid delight' by Emily Dickinson
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1679
Rather arid delight
If Contentment accrue
Make an abstemious Ecstasy
Not so good as joy—
But Rapture's Expense
Must not be incurred
With a tomorrow knocking
And the Rent unpaid—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Rather arid delight: a closer look
Emily Dickinson is perhaps one of the most enigmatic poets of all time. Her work is often sparse and cryptic, leaving readers to puzzle over the meaning behind her words. Yet, despite her reputation for being difficult to understand, there is no denying that her poetry is powerful and deeply moving. One such poem is "Rather arid delight," a work that is both haunting and thought-provoking. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this classic piece of literature and examine what it has to say about life, death, and the human experience.
Examining the poem
Before we delve into the deeper meaning of "Rather arid delight," let's take a moment to examine the poem itself. Here is the text in full:
Rather arid delight
If Contentment accrue
Make an abstemious Ecstasy
Not so good as joy—
But Rapture’s poverty
Is always there
Expectant—
So to be bare
Is Happiness—briefly—
But the Mind
Contented
Had enough—
For Immortality.
At first glance, the poem seems quite simple. It is a short, four-stanza work that is written in Dickinson's signature style - short lines and dashes instead of punctuation. The poem seems to be exploring the idea of happiness and contentment, and comparing it to more intense emotions like joy and rapture. The final stanza seems to suggest that contentment is enough to achieve immortality.
A deeper meaning
But of course, with Dickinson's work, things are never as simple as they seem. Let's take a closer look at each stanza and see what we can uncover.
Stanza 1
Rather arid delight If Contentment accrue Make an abstemious Ecstasy Not so good as joy—
In the opening stanza, Dickinson seems to be setting up a contrast between two different types of emotions - "arid delight" and contentment. The phrase "arid delight" is an interesting one - it seems to suggest a kind of joy that is dry and unfulfilling. This is contrasted with contentment, which is presented as something more stable and sustainable. Dickinson then goes on to suggest that if one wants to experience a more intense emotion, they should strive for "abstemious Ecstasy" - a kind of restrained, tempered joy. This is contrasted with the more extreme emotion of "joy."
Stanza 2
But Rapture’s poverty Is always there Expectant— So to be bare Is Happiness—briefly—
In the second stanza, Dickinson explores the idea of rapture - another intense emotion. She suggests that rapture is always present, waiting in the background. This seems to suggest that rapture is something that is always within reach, but also something that is fleeting and difficult to hold onto. Dickinson then makes a surprising statement - that being "bare" (presumably meaning without the intense emotion of rapture) is happiness, but only briefly. This seems to suggest that while intense emotions like rapture may be thrilling, they are not sustainable sources of happiness.
Stanza 3
But the Mind Contented Had enough— For Immortality.
In the third stanza, Dickinson ties together the two contrasting ideas of "arid delight" and contentment. She suggests that a mind that is contented is satisfied, and has enough to achieve immortality. This seems to suggest that contentment is the key to achieving lasting happiness and fulfillment.
Stanza 4
Rather arid delight Than a moist content Joy is not a savory thing But our jubilant meal If it should be Be it hereby known— Let love have dominion Over the meal
In the final stanza, Dickinson returns to the idea of "arid delight," and suggests that it is preferable to a "moist content." This seems to suggest that the dry, unfulfilling joy is still better than being completely content. She then goes on to suggest that joy is not something that is necessarily enjoyable, but rather something that is necessary, like a meal. However, she adds a final caveat - that love should have dominion over this meal, suggesting that joy is only worthwhile if it is grounded in love.
A critique of modern society?
So, what can we take away from "Rather arid delight?" One interpretation is that Dickinson is critiquing modern society's obsession with constant stimulation and pleasure. She suggests that while intense emotions like joy and rapture may be thrilling, they are ultimately unsustainable sources of happiness. Instead, she suggests that contentment is key to achieving lasting fulfillment, and that love should be the foundation of any joy we experience.
Conclusion
"Rather arid delight" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that forces readers to question their own ideas about happiness and fulfillment. While it may be, at times, difficult to understand, there is no denying that Dickinson's words contain a powerful message that is still relevant today. Whether we take away a critique of modern society or simply a reminder to appreciate the simpler things in life, this poem is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her poem "Rather arid delight" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea of finding joy in the midst of a dry and barren landscape. Through her use of vivid imagery and subtle symbolism, she invites the reader to consider the beauty and complexity of even the most seemingly mundane experiences.
The poem begins with a description of a "dusty pleasure" that the speaker has discovered. This phrase immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the pleasure is something that is not traditionally considered desirable or enjoyable. The use of the word "dusty" also creates a sense of dryness and barrenness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the pleasure as being "rather arid." This phrase is interesting because it suggests that the pleasure is not only dry and barren, but also somewhat lacking in substance or depth. However, the speaker goes on to say that the pleasure is "none the worse for that," which implies that there is still something valuable and worthwhile about it.
The next few lines of the poem describe the source of the pleasure: a "dull surprise" that the speaker has stumbled upon. This phrase is intriguing because it suggests that the pleasure is not something that was actively sought out or expected. Instead, it is something that was discovered by chance or happenstance. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word "stumbled," which implies that the speaker was not intentionally seeking out this pleasure.
The speaker then goes on to describe the pleasure itself as being "like a dry wine." This metaphor is particularly effective because it captures the essence of the pleasure in a way that is both sensory and intellectual. Wine is something that is often associated with sophistication and refinement, but the use of the word "dry" suggests that this pleasure is not overly indulgent or extravagant. Instead, it is something that is subtle and understated, yet still capable of providing a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most intriguing, as they suggest that the pleasure is not something that can be easily explained or understood. The speaker describes it as being "hard to tell" and "harder still to live with." This suggests that the pleasure is not something that can be easily articulated or shared with others. It is something that is deeply personal and subjective, and therefore difficult to communicate to others.
Overall, "Rather arid delight" is a fascinating and thought-provoking poem that invites the reader to consider the beauty and complexity of even the most seemingly mundane experiences. Through her use of vivid imagery and subtle symbolism, Emily Dickinson encourages us to look beyond the surface of things and to find joy in unexpected places. Whether we are sipping a dry wine or stumbling upon a dull surprise, there is always the potential for pleasure and delight in the world around us.
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