'I had a guinea golden' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


23

I had a guinea golden—
I lost it in the sand—
And tho' the sum was simple
And pounds were in the land—
Still, had it such a value
Unto my frugal eye—
That when I could not find it—
I sat me down to sigh.

I had a crimson Robin—
Who sang full many a day
But when the woods were painted,
He, too, did fly away—

Time brought me other Robins—
Their ballads were the same—
Still, for my missing Troubador
I kept the "house at hame."

I had a star in heaven—
One "Pleiad" was its name—
And when I was not heeding,
It wandered from the same.
And tho' the skies are crowded—
And all the night ashine—
I do not care about it—
Since none of them are mine.

My story has a moral—
I have a missing friend—
"Pleiad" its name, and Robin,
And guinea in the sand.
And when this mournful ditty
Accompanied with tear—
Shall meet the eye of traitor
In country far from here—
Grant that repentance solemn
May seize upon his mind—
And he no consolation
Beneath the sun may find.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I had a guinea golden" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated American poets of all time. Her works are known for their unique style and form, which often stray away from conventional poetic structures. "I had a guinea golden" is a classic example of Dickinson's style, with its short lines and simple language. However, the poem is far from being simplistic. Rather, it is a complex and multilayered piece of literature that requires a closer examination. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbols in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The Poem: A Summary

"I had a guinea golden" is a short poem that consists of just two stanzas. The first stanza describes the speaker's possession of a golden guinea, a British coin that was in circulation during the 17th and 18th centuries. The speaker emphasizes the guinea's beauty, calling it "golden" and "bright." However, the stanza ends on a somewhat ominous note, with the speaker saying that they "lost it," implying that the guinea is no longer in their possession.

The second stanza takes a different turn. The speaker says that they had a bird that was "more beautiful," suggesting that the guinea's beauty pales in comparison to the bird's. The bird is described as having "wings like a cloud," which creates a vivid image of its softness and lightness. The stanza ends on a melancholic note, with the speaker saying that they "lost" the bird as well.

Themes

At first glance, "I had a guinea golden" may seem like a simple poem about losing material possessions. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the poem deals with more complex themes such as beauty, loss, and the transience of life.

Beauty

The concept of beauty is a recurring theme in Dickinson's works. In "I had a guinea golden," the speaker is clearly enamored with the guinea's beauty, calling it "golden" and "bright." However, the poem also suggests that beauty is fleeting and transient. The fact that the speaker "lost" both the guinea and the bird implies that they are no longer in possession of them. This loss of beauty can be interpreted as a metaphor for the inevitability of aging and the decay of physical beauty.

Loss

The theme of loss is also prominent in the poem. The speaker repeatedly mentions that they "lost" both the guinea and the bird. This loss can be seen as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and the passing of time. The fact that the bird is described as being "more beautiful" than the guinea suggests that the speaker has gained some perspective on what truly matters in life. The loss of the guinea and the bird can be seen as a necessary step towards this realization.

Transience of Life

The theme of the transience of life is closely related to the theme of loss. The fact that the speaker has lost both the guinea and the bird suggests that nothing is permanent in life. This transience can be seen as a metaphor for the impermanence of life itself. The poem suggests that we should cherish the moments of beauty in our lives because they are fleeting and will eventually pass.

Imagery

The imagery in "I had a guinea golden" is simple yet effective. The use of colors such as "golden" and "bright" creates a vivid image of the guinea in the reader's mind. The description of the bird's wings as being "like a cloud" is also effective in creating a sense of lightness and softness. The contrast between the two stanzas, with the first one being focused on the guinea and the second on the bird, creates a sense of progression and development.

Symbols

Although "I had a guinea golden" is a short and simple poem, it contains several symbols that add depth and meaning to the work.

Guinea

The guinea in the first stanza can be seen as a symbol for material possessions and physical beauty. The fact that the speaker describes it as "golden" and "bright" suggests that it is something to be admired and coveted. However, the fact that the guinea is no longer in the speaker's possession suggests that it is not permanent and can easily be lost.

Bird

The bird in the second stanza can be seen as a symbol for spiritual beauty and inner peace. The fact that the bird is described as being "more beautiful" than the guinea suggests that the speaker has gained some perspective on what truly matters in life. The loss of the bird can be seen as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and the inevitability of aging.

Wings

The wings of the bird can be seen as a symbol for freedom and transcendence. The fact that they are described as being "like a cloud" suggests that they are light and ethereal. This symbol adds another layer of meaning to the poem, suggesting that true beauty lies not in material possessions, but in the freedom of the spirit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "I had a guinea golden" is a deceptively simple poem that contains deep and complex themes. Through its use of imagery and symbols, the poem explores the concepts of beauty, loss, and the transience of life. The contrast between the two stanzas creates a sense of progression and development, suggesting that the speaker has gained some perspective on what truly matters in life. Overall, "I had a guinea golden" is a beautiful and poignant work that continues to resonate with readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Had a Guinea Golden: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poems have made her a household name. One of her most famous poems is "I Had a Guinea Golden," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "I Had a Guinea Golden" is a short but powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of life and death. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, which is characterized by short lines, dashes, and unconventional punctuation. The poem is only four lines long, but it is packed with meaning and emotion.

I had a guinea golden; I lost it in the sand, And though the sum was simple, And pounds were in the land,

The poem begins with the speaker stating that they had a "guinea golden." A guinea was a British coin that was in circulation during Dickinson's time. The use of the word "golden" suggests that the coin was valuable and precious to the speaker. However, the speaker then goes on to say that they lost the coin in the sand. This loss is significant because it represents the fleeting nature of life. Just like the coin was lost in the sand, life can slip away from us in an instant.

The next line of the poem is "And though the sum was simple." This line suggests that the value of the coin was not significant in the grand scheme of things. The use of the word "simple" implies that the coin was not worth much. However, the speaker then goes on to say that "pounds were in the land." This line is significant because it suggests that there is more to life than material possessions. The use of the word "land" implies that there is something more significant and valuable than money.

The final line of the poem is "Still, 'twas a loss to me!" This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of the coin. The use of the exclamation mark emphasizes the speaker's emotional state. The loss of the coin may seem insignificant to others, but to the speaker, it is a significant loss.

Overall, the poem "I Had a Guinea Golden" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature. The poem captures the essence of life and death and reminds us that there is more to life than material possessions. The loss of the coin represents the fleeting nature of life, and the use of the word "land" suggests that there is something more significant and valuable than money. The poem is a reminder that we should cherish the moments we have and not take life for granted.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "I Had a Guinea Golden" is a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of life and death. The poem is short but powerful, and it reminds us that there is more to life than material possessions. The loss of the coin represents the fleeting nature of life, and the use of the word "land" suggests that there is something more significant and valuable than money. The poem is a reminder that we should cherish the moments we have and not take life for granted. Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poems have made her a household name, and "I Had a Guinea Golden" is a perfect example of her talent.

Editor Recommended Sites

Graph DB: Graph databases reviews, guides and best practice articles
Play Songs by Ear: Learn to play songs by ear with trainear.com ear trainer and music theory software
PS5 Deals App: Playstation 5 digital deals from the playstation store, check the metacritic ratings and historical discount level
Smart Contract Technology: Blockchain smart contract tutorials and guides
Data Catalog App - Cloud Data catalog & Best Datacatalog for cloud: Data catalog resources for AWS and GCP

Recommended Similar Analysis

Love and A Question by Robert Lee Frost analysis
The Sound Of Trees by Robert Frost analysis
A City's Death By Fire by Derek Walcott analysis
Vanity Fair by Sylvia Plath analysis
My True Love Hath My Heart, And I Have His by Sir Philip Sidney analysis
Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen analysis
Ashes Of Soldiers by Walt Whitman analysis
Death is the supple Suitor by Emily Dickinson analysis
I died for Beauty-but was scarce by Emily Dickinson analysis
Life by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis