'Expectation—is Contentment' by Emily Dickinson
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Expectation—is Contentment—
Gain—Satiety—
But Satiety—Conviction
Of Necessity
Of an Austere trait in Pleasure—
Good, without alarm
Is a too established Fortune—
Danger—deepens Sum—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Expectation—is Contentment by Emily Dickinson
As a literary enthusiast, I have read and analyzed several poems, but none of them have the depth and complexity of Emily Dickinson's "Expectation—is Contentment." This poem has always struck a chord with me, and it is my pleasure to share my literary criticism and interpretation of this classic masterpiece.
Background
Before diving into the poem, it is essential to understand the background and life of the poet, Emily Dickinson. She was an American poet who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, from 1830 to 1886. She was a recluse and rarely left her home, but she was an avid writer, producing almost 1800 poems. Unfortunately, most of her work was not published during her lifetime, and it was only after her death that her poems gained recognition.
Poem Analysis
"Expectation—is Contentment" is a short poem consisting of only two stanzas, with four lines each. The poem's structure is simple, but the depth and complexity of its meaning are profound.
The first stanza begins with the line, "Expectation—is Contentment—." The use of the dash after "Contentment" is a stylistic choice that adds emphasis to the word. The line's overall meaning is that having expectations is the same as feeling content. This statement is unique because one would think that having expectations would bring disappointment if they are not met. However, Dickinson argues that expectations bring a sense of satisfaction and happiness, even if they are not fulfilled.
The second line of the first stanza reads, "Gained—Wealth." This line has a literal meaning, as wealth can be accumulated over time. However, in the context of the poem, Dickinson refers to wealth as an emotional state. Having expectations and feeling content is a form of emotional wealth that cannot be measured in monetary value.
The third line reads, "Contentment—Sorrow." The use of the dash after "Contentment" is another stylistic choice that emphasizes the word. The line means that feeling content can also bring sorrow because it implies that one is satisfied with their current state, and they do not desire anything more. This state of contentment can bring a sense of loss, as one may feel that they have nothing left to strive for.
The final line of the first stanza reads, "Implore—Design—." The use of the dash after "Design" adds emphasis to the word, which means that one should always have a plan or purpose in life. The line means that having expectations is essential as it gives one a goal to work towards.
The second stanza begins with the line, "Better—Active—Harm—." This line has a complex meaning, and it is open to interpretation. It can mean that being active is better than being passive, as it gives one a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It can also mean that being active can cause harm, as it may lead to disappointment if one's expectations are not met.
The second line of the second stanza reads, "Than Passive—Silence—." The use of the dash after "Silence" emphasizes the word, which means that being silent or passive can be harmful. This line means that one should always have expectations and be active in pursuing them, as it is better than being complacent and not striving for anything.
The third line reads, "Vicarious—Active—Joy—." This line is an interesting contrast to the previous lines, as it suggests that one can experience joy through the actions and accomplishments of others. This means that one can have expectations for others and feel content when they achieve their goals.
The final line of the second stanza reads, "Better than—Passive—Sorrow." The use of the dash after "Better than" emphasizes the word, which means that having expectations and being active is always better than being passive and feeling sorrow. This line reinforces the message of the poem, which is that having expectations brings contentment and satisfaction.
Interpretation
Now, let us move on to the interpretation of the poem. "Expectation—is Contentment" is a poem that celebrates the value of having expectations and working towards them. It argues that having expectations brings a sense of satisfaction and happiness, even if they are not fulfilled.
One way to interpret the poem is to view it as a commentary on the human condition. As humans, we are constantly striving for something, whether it is material wealth, emotional fulfillment, or personal growth. We have expectations for ourselves and others, and we work towards achieving them. However, these expectations can also bring disappointment and sorrow if they are not met. Dickinson acknowledges this but argues that having expectations is still better than being passive and not striving for anything.
Another way to interpret the poem is to view it as a commentary on the value of perspective. The poem suggests that how one perceives their situation can greatly affect their emotional state. Having expectations and feeling content is a form of emotional wealth that cannot be measured in monetary value. This suggests that one can find satisfaction and happiness in even the most difficult situations if they have the right perspective.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Expectation—is Contentment" is a beautiful and complex poem that celebrates the value of having expectations and working towards them. It argues that having expectations brings a sense of satisfaction and happiness, even if they are not fulfilled. The poem is a commentary on the human condition and the value of perspective. It suggests that how one perceives their situation can greatly affect their emotional state. Dickinson's use of language and stylistic choices adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a masterpiece of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Expectation—is Contentment: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many famous poems is “Expectation—is Contentment,” a short but powerful piece that explores the complex relationship between desire and satisfaction. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple statement: “Expectation—is Contentment.” At first glance, this may seem like a paradoxical statement, as expectation and contentment are often seen as opposing forces. After all, if we are content with what we have, why would we need to expect anything more? However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see that Dickinson is not suggesting that expectation and contentment are the same thing, but rather that they are intimately connected.
The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for this idea, as Dickinson writes:
Expectation—is Contentment— Gain Satiety— But Satiety—Conviction Of Necessity
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that expectation can lead to contentment by creating a sense of satisfaction when our desires are fulfilled. However, she also notes that this satisfaction is temporary, as it is based on the fulfillment of a specific desire. Once that desire is fulfilled, we may find ourselves once again longing for something more. This is what Dickinson means by “Satiety—Conviction/Of Necessity.” Once we have experienced the satisfaction of having our desires fulfilled, we become convinced that we need more in order to be truly content.
The second stanza of the poem further explores this idea, as Dickinson writes:
The Gourd and Palm Sustain just— Honor—And the Sun— But how diminished be the Grape Within the timely Tun—
Here, Dickinson is using the metaphor of the gourd, palm, and grape to illustrate the idea that different desires have different levels of satisfaction. The gourd and palm sustain us, but they do not bring us great joy or fulfillment. The grape, on the other hand, is a more desirable fruit, but even it loses its appeal when it is no longer fresh and new. This is what Dickinson means by “Within the timely Tun”—the grape is only satisfying when it is fresh and new, but once it has aged, it loses its appeal.
The third stanza of the poem takes this idea even further, as Dickinson writes:
So when this Agitated Life Falters—Or receives One finite—Sudden Lifeless Chance— The Grass does not appear—
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that our desires and expectations are ultimately meaningless in the face of death. When we die, all of our desires and expectations become irrelevant, and we are left with nothing but the reality of our mortality. This is what she means by “The Grass does not appear”—even the most basic and fundamental desires, such as the desire for life, become meaningless in the face of death.
The final stanza of the poem brings us back to the idea of expectation and contentment, as Dickinson writes:
Contentment—then for Swans Whose Alpine Ancestry Ruffles his Plumes as Blown by Adversity—
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that true contentment can only be found in the face of adversity. When we are faced with challenges and difficulties, we are forced to confront our desires and expectations, and we may find that they are not as important as we once thought. This is what she means by “Whose Alpine Ancestry/Ruffles his Plumes as Blown by/Adversity”—the swan, with its proud and majestic ancestry, is only truly content when it is faced with adversity and forced to confront its own limitations.
In conclusion, “Expectation—is Contentment” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between desire and satisfaction. Through her use of metaphor and language, Emily Dickinson suggests that our desires and expectations can lead to both contentment and dissatisfaction, and that true contentment can only be found in the face of adversity. By delving deeper into this classic poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of its themes and significance, and appreciate the timeless wisdom that it offers.
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