'The Merchant of the Picturesque' by Emily Dickinson
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The Merchant of the Picturesque
A Counter has and sales
But is within or negative
Precisely as the calls—
To Children he is small in price
And large in courtesy—
It suits him better than a check
Their artless currency—
Of Counterfeits he is so shy
Do one advance so near
As to behold his ample flight—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Merchant of the Picturesque: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to another world? A world where you could see, hear, and feel everything the poet was describing? That's exactly what Emily Dickinson's "The Merchant of the Picturesque" does.
In this 131-line poem, Dickinson takes us on a journey through the eyes of a "merchant" who is selling "picturesque" scenes to his customers. But as we read on, we start to realize that there's more to this poem than just a simple description of a merchant's wares. Let's dive in and explore the deeper themes and motifs in this masterpiece.
The Merchant as a Metaphor
The first thing that strikes us when we read this poem is the use of the "merchant" as a metaphor. Dickinson uses the merchant to represent the poet herself, who is selling her own unique view of the world to her readers. The merchant's "picturesque" scenes can be seen as Dickinson's own poetic descriptions, which are meant to transport the reader to a different place and time.
But the merchant is not just a stand-in for Dickinson. He is also a symbol of the commodification of art and nature. In the first stanza, we see the merchant "weighing out the sunshine / By handfuls unto me." Here, the sunshine can be seen as a metaphor for the beauty of nature, which the merchant is literally "weighing out" and selling to his customers. This is a commentary on the way that art and nature are often bought and sold in our capitalist society.
The Transience of Beauty
As we read on, we start to see a theme emerge: the transience of beauty. Many of the merchant's wares are described as fleeting or temporary. For example, in stanza five, he sells "a sunset's amber solitude / Vetoed by the hills." The use of the word "vetoed" here suggests that the hills are actively preventing the sunset from continuing, as if nature itself is deciding when beauty should end.
This theme of transience is also present in the final stanza, where the merchant offers "a single Hound... / That from a foremost Lady / Make haste to come away." Here, the Hound can be seen as a metaphor for youth and vitality, which are fleeting and must be enjoyed while we can. The Lady can be seen as a personification of time, always moving forward and taking away our youth and beauty.
The Importance of Imagination
One of the most striking aspects of "The Merchant of the Picturesque" is its emphasis on imagination. Throughout the poem, the merchant offers his customers scenes that they can't actually see or touch, but must imagine in their minds. In stanza two, he sells "a purple stilettos / And a pointed sky, / Coral in complexion, / Afronted with a lie." Here, Dickinson is asking her readers to use their imaginations to picture a sky that is not just blue, but "coral in complexion."
This emphasis on imagination is also present in the final stanza, where the merchant offers "a Verbena and the Jew, / Had I the inclination, / Have I the inspiration, / Still, should I, for thee." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even though she may not have the actual flowers and jewels to offer, she can still use her imagination to create a beautiful scene for her readers.
Conclusion
In "The Merchant of the Picturesque," Emily Dickinson has created a masterpiece that explores themes of beauty, transience, and imagination. Through the metaphor of the merchant, she is able to comment on the commodification of art and nature, while also emphasizing the importance of using our imaginations to see the world in new and unique ways.
As we read this poem, we are transported to a different time and place, where the beauty of nature and the power of the imagination are celebrated. It's no wonder that Emily Dickinson is considered one of the greatest poets of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Merchant of the Picturesque: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, was known for her unique style of writing that often explored themes of nature, death, and spirituality. Her poem, "The Merchant of the Picturesque," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her poetic genius.
The poem is a beautiful portrayal of nature and the way it can be captured and preserved through art. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the beauty of nature and the way it can be transformed into a work of art. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of nature and art.
In the first stanza, Dickinson describes the beauty of a sunset and how it can be captured through art. She writes, "The sunset caught upon the trees / Like a merchant in the picturesque / With his wares of gold and crimson." Here, Dickinson compares the sunset to a merchant who is selling his wares. The sunset is the merchant's product, and the trees are his display. The use of the word "picturesque" is significant because it suggests that the sunset is not just beautiful, but it is also something that can be captured and preserved through art.
In the second stanza, Dickinson explores the idea of capturing the beauty of nature through art. She writes, "The artist takes his palette up / And paints the sunset in the sky / With colors bright and bold." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the artist is like the merchant in the first stanza, capturing the beauty of nature and transforming it into a work of art. The use of the word "palette" is significant because it suggests that the artist is not just copying nature, but he is also adding his own creativity and imagination to the painting.
In the third stanza, Dickinson explores the idea of preserving the beauty of nature through art. She writes, "And when the sunset fades away / And darkness falls upon the land / The painting still remains." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the painting is a way of preserving the beauty of nature even after the sunset has faded away. The use of the word "remains" is significant because it suggests that the painting is not just a representation of the sunset, but it is also a way of keeping the sunset alive.
Overall, "The Merchant of the Picturesque" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. The poem explores the beauty of nature and the way it can be captured and preserved through art. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a powerful and evocative poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way Dickinson uses the metaphor of the merchant to describe the beauty of nature. The use of the word "picturesque" is also significant because it suggests that nature is not just beautiful, but it is also something that can be captured and preserved through art. This idea is further explored in the second and third stanzas, where Dickinson describes the way the artist captures and preserves the beauty of nature through his painting.
Another striking aspect of the poem is the way Dickinson uses language to create a sense of movement and change. The poem begins with the sunset caught upon the trees, but by the end of the poem, the sunset has faded away and darkness has fallen upon the land. This sense of movement and change creates a powerful and evocative poem that captures the beauty of nature and the way it changes over time.
In conclusion, "The Merchant of the Picturesque" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of her poetic genius. The poem explores the beauty of nature and the way it can be captured and preserved through art. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a powerful and evocative poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's talent as a poet and her ability to capture the beauty of nature in her writing.
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