'One Blessing had I than the rest' by Emily Dickinson
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One Blessing had I than the rest
So larger to my Eyes
That I stopped gauging—satisfied—
For this enchanted size—
It was the limit of my Dream—
The focus of my Prayer—
A perfect—paralyzing Bliss—
Contented as Despair—
I knew no more of Want—or Cold—
Phantasms both become
For this new Value in the Soul—
Supremest Earthly Sum—
The Heaven below the Heaven above—
Obscured with ruddier Blue—
Life's Latitudes leant over—full—
The Judgment perished—too—
Why Bliss so scantily disburse—
Why Paradise defer—
Why Floods be served to Us—in Bowls—
I speculate no more—
Editor 1 Interpretation
One Blessing had I than the rest: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson’s poem, One Blessing had I than the rest, is a brief yet powerful piece that explores the theme of gratitude and the joy that comes with being content with what one has. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of a feeling or idea in just a few words. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the richness and complexity of this poem, exploring its language, structure and symbolism.
Summary of the Poem
One Blessing had I than the rest is a short poem consisting of just three stanzas. The first two stanzas are identical except for the last line, while the third stanza consists of just one line. Here is the poem in full:
One Blessing had I than the rest
So larger to my eyes
That I stopped gauging—satisfied—
For this enchanted size—
It was the limit of my dream—
The focus of my prayer—
A perfect—paralyzing bliss—
Contented as Despair—
I knew no more of Want—or Cold—
Phantasms both become
For this new Value in the Soul—
Supremest Earthly Sum—
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she has one blessing that is more significant than all the others. This blessing is so large that it satisfies her completely, and she no longer feels the need to measure or gauge it. In the second stanza, the speaker explains that this blessing is the limit of her dreams and the focus of her prayers, and that it brings her a perfect and paralyzing bliss that is contented as despair. Finally, in the last stanza, the speaker declares that this blessing has made her forget all her wants and needs, and that it has become the most valuable thing in her soul.
Language and Imagery
One of the most notable features of this poem is its language and imagery. Dickinson's use of words and expressions is both precise and evocative, lending the poem a depth and complexity that belie its brevity. Take, for example, the opening line: "One Blessing had I than the rest." The use of the word "had" suggests ownership, while the phrase "than the rest" implies that the speaker has many blessings but one that stands out from the others. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the theme of gratitude.
The second line, "So larger to my eyes," is an example of Dickinson's use of synecdoche, a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole. In this case, "my eyes" stands in for the speaker's entire being, suggesting that this blessing is so significant that it affects her entire perception of the world.
The third line, "That I stopped gauging—satisfied—" is another example of synecdoche, with "gauging" representing the speaker's need to measure or quantify her blessings. The use of the dash after "satisfied" implies a sense of finality or completion, suggesting that the speaker has reached a state of contentment and no longer feels the need to search for more.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes this blessing as a "perfect—paralyzing bliss" that is "contented as Despair." Here, Dickinson uses oxymoron, a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms, to convey the complexity of the speaker's emotions. The phrase "perfect—paralyzing bliss" suggests that this blessing is both wonderful and overwhelming, while "contented as Despair" implies that the speaker is both happy and sad at the same time.
The final stanza contains perhaps the most striking image in the poem: "Phantasms both become." Here, Dickinson uses the word "phantasms" to refer to the speaker's wants and needs, suggesting that they are mere illusions or figments of her imagination. The phrase "become" implies that these wants and needs have transformed into something else, perhaps a new sense of purpose or a deeper understanding of what truly matters in life.
Structure and Form
The structure and form of One Blessing had I than the rest are relatively simple, yet they serve to reinforce the poem's theme and meaning. The poem consists of three stanzas of four lines each, with the first two stanzas being nearly identical. This repetition creates a sense of symmetry and balance, suggesting that the speaker's gratitude is a constant and unchanging part of her life.
The use of dashes throughout the poem also serves to create a sense of fragmentation and interruption, reflecting the speaker's fragmented thoughts and emotions. The dashes suggest that the speaker is struggling to put her feelings into words, reinforcing the idea that this blessing is something that transcends language and cannot be fully expressed.
Symbolism
Finally, One Blessing had I than the rest is rich in symbolism, with various elements of the poem representing deeper ideas and concepts. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the idea of "enchantment," which is used to describe the size of the speaker's blessing. This suggests that this blessing is something magical or otherworldly, something that cannot be fully understood or explained.
The idea of "limit" is also significant, with the speaker describing this blessing as "the limit of my dream." This suggests that the blessing is something that the speaker has always wanted but never thought possible, and that its attainment has opened up new possibilities and horizons.
Finally, the use of the word "sum" in the last line of the poem is significant, as it suggests that this blessing is the ultimate achievement or culmination of the speaker's life. The word "supremest" also implies that this blessing is the highest or greatest possible, reinforcing the idea that it is a transcendent and magical force.
Conclusion
In conclusion, One Blessing had I than the rest is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of gratitude and contentment. Through its language, structure, and symbolism, the poem conveys a sense of wonder and awe at the power of a single blessing to transform one's life. Dickinson's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few words is on full display here, making this poem a testament to her skill and creativity as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
One Blessing had I than the rest: Emily Dickinson's Poetic Masterpiece
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "One Blessing had I than the rest" is a prime example of her poetic genius, as it captures the essence of human longing and the search for meaning in life.
The poem begins with the line "One Blessing had I than the rest," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that they have been blessed in some way, but it is not clear what that blessing is. This ambiguity is intentional, as it allows the reader to project their own experiences and desires onto the poem.
The second line, "So larger to my eyes that I / Stopped gauging, satisfied," suggests that the blessing is something that the speaker has been searching for, and that it is so significant that it has made them stop measuring their life against others. This idea of comparison is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which humans compare themselves to others and the impact that this has on their sense of self.
The third and fourth lines, "For this enchanted little town, / Where never did the sun," introduce the setting of the poem. The speaker is describing a small town that is enchanted, or magical, and where the sun never shines. This creates a sense of mystery and otherworldliness that is characteristic of Dickinson's writing.
The fifth and sixth lines, "Enamored rise or set, / But beams enchanted draw," further emphasize the magical nature of the town. The sun is not necessary for the town's beauty, as it is the enchanted beams that draw the speaker's attention. This idea of being drawn to something that is not necessarily visible is another common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which humans are drawn to intangible things like love, faith, and hope.
The seventh and eighth lines, "And hold me captive there," suggest that the speaker is not just a visitor to the town, but is instead held captive by its enchantment. This idea of being held captive by something that is not necessarily physical is another example of Dickinson's exploration of intangible concepts.
The ninth and tenth lines, "And hold me fast by those / Who love me through the bars," introduce the idea of being held captive by love. The speaker is not just held captive by the town, but by the love of those who are outside of it. This idea of being held captive by love is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which love can both liberate and constrain.
The eleventh and twelfth lines, "Neither prison walls nor bars / Can keep out love that mars," suggest that even though the speaker is held captive, love is still able to penetrate their prison. This idea of love being able to overcome physical barriers is another common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which love can transcend physical limitations.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "The little town and I will stroll / And lands we know will interpose," suggest that the speaker and the town are not just held captive by love, but are also able to explore the world together. This idea of exploring the world with a loved one is another common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which love can enrich and expand one's life.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines, "And skies exterior to these / Will entertain the same," suggest that even though the speaker and the town are held captive, they are still able to experience the world beyond their prison. This idea of being able to experience the world beyond physical limitations is another common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which humans are able to transcend their physical limitations through imagination and creativity.
The final two lines, "Without betraying any wish / That we are not the same," suggest that the speaker is content with their captivity and does not wish to be anything other than what they are. This idea of contentment with one's circumstances is another common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the ways in which humans are able to find happiness and meaning in even the most difficult of circumstances.
In conclusion, "One Blessing had I than the rest" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human longing and the search for meaning in life. Through its exploration of themes like love, captivity, and contentment, the poem offers a profound meditation on the human experience and the ways in which we are able to find beauty and meaning in even the most difficult of circumstances. As such, it stands as a testament to Emily Dickinson's poetic genius and her enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.
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