'Behold this little Bane—' by Emily Dickinson
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Behold this little Bane—
The Boon of all alive—
As common as it is unknown
The name of it is Love—
To lack of it is Woe—
To own of it is Wound—
Not elsewhere—if in Paradise
Its Tantamount be found—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Behold this little Bane - Emily Dickinson
As a talented writer, Emily Dickinson has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry. Her unique style and choice of words has made her a celebrated poet even today, more than a century after her death. Among her many works, "Behold this little Bane" is one of her most intriguing pieces. This poem is a fascinating depiction of a flower that is often considered to be a pest. In this essay, we will explore the various themes and aspects of the poem, and provide a detailed interpretation of the same.
The poem
Behold this little Bane— The Boon of all alive— As common as it is unknown The name of it is Love—
To lack of all that favored it The Blossom would not cease— The Daisy, like a spotted Bee Had made the Gown of Peace,
And threaded it with filaments From suppler tinctures drawn— The Summer sprinkled o'er her face With tender dashes drawn—
The Purple from the Top of the Hill Unto the Sea below Injected in the turning Leaf With hues of Henna flow—
As if the Sea should part and show The Mansion of the Sky— The Violet would shyly step Aside—and let it by—
But Grief is not the end of all— Nature permits her to Exhale her plaintive longing— Then, glutted, to renew.
The interpretation
The poem starts with the lines, "Behold this little Bane— / The Boon of all alive— / As common as it is unknown / The name of it is Love—" Here, Emily Dickinson introduces the central theme of the poem, that is, love. The first line, "Behold this little Bane—," suggests that the flower being referred to is considered a pest. However, it is also the "Boon of all alive," indicating that it is an essential part of life. This paradoxical nature of the flower is what makes it so intriguing, and Dickinson explores this duality throughout the poem.
In the next few lines, Dickinson talks about how the flower, despite its lack of popularity, continues to thrive. "To lack of all that favored it / The Blossom would not cease— / The Daisy, like a spotted Bee / Had made the Gown of Peace," suggests that the flower persists despite being considered a nuisance. The "Gown of Peace" referred to here could be a metaphor for the peace that the flower brings to the environment, even if it is not appreciated by humans.
Dickinson then goes on to describe the physical characteristics of the flower, "And threaded it with filaments / From suppler tinctures drawn— / The Summer sprinkled o'er her face / With tender dashes drawn—." The use of words such as "suppler," "tender," and "dashes" gives the flower a delicate and beautiful quality. The flower's ability to exist in the face of adversity, coupled with its aesthetic appeal, is what makes it so fascinating.
The next few lines describe the flower's colors, "The Purple from the Top of the Hill / Unto the Sea below / Injected in the turning Leaf / With hues of Henna flow—." The use of the color purple here could be a metaphor for royalty or nobility, indicating that even though the flower is considered a pest, it is still deserving of admiration. The "hues of Henna flow" could be Dickinson's way of describing the intricate patterns that are often drawn with Henna, suggesting that the flower is just as intricate and beautiful as these patterns.
In the following lines, "As if the Sea should part and show / The Mansion of the Sky— / The Violet would shyly step / Aside—and let it by—," Dickinson uses personification to describe the flower's behavior. The flower is so humble and unassuming that it steps aside to make way for something grander. The Sea and the Sky here could be metaphorical representations of grandeur and power.
The final lines of the poem, "But Grief is not the end of all— / Nature permits her to / Exhale her plaintive longing— / Then, glutted, to renew," suggests that even though the flower is considered a pest, it still has the ability to feel emotions. The flower is able to "Exhale her plaintive longing," indicating that it too has a sense of loss and longing. However, nature allows it to renew, suggesting that even though the flower may go through tough times, it still has the ability to bounce back.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Behold this little Bane" is a beautiful poem that explores the duality of a flower that is often considered a pest. Through her choice of words and use of vivid descriptions, Emily Dickinson is able to bring the flower to life and make it seem like an essential part of nature. What makes the poem so intriguing is the way in which Dickinson describes the flower's ability to exist in the face of adversity, yet still maintain its beauty and dignity. The poem is a testament to the resilience of nature and its ability to adapt and thrive in any situation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Behold this little Bane – a poem by Emily Dickinson is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for years. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line, "Behold this little Bane," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The word "bane" is an archaic term that means "a cause of great distress or annoyance." Dickinson uses this word to describe something small and seemingly insignificant, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is drawing attention to something that may be overlooked or dismissed as unimportant, but which has the potential to cause great harm.
The second line of the poem reads, "The Boon of all alive." The word "boon" means "a blessing or benefit," which seems to contradict the first line. However, Dickinson is using this word ironically to emphasize the danger of the little bane. The speaker is suggesting that the bane is a blessing in disguise, as it has the power to remind us of our mortality and the fragility of life.
The third line of the poem reads, "As common as it is." This line is significant because it highlights the ubiquity of the little bane. The speaker is suggesting that this thing that can cause great harm is all around us, and we must be vigilant to avoid it. This line also serves to create a sense of unease in the reader, as they begin to wonder what this little bane could be.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "And almost every breath we breathe." This line is a continuation of the previous line, emphasizing the omnipresence of the little bane. The speaker is suggesting that we are constantly exposed to this danger, and we must be careful not to let it consume us.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Brings but a pang to me." This line is significant because it reveals the speaker's personal experience with the little bane. The word "pang" means "a sudden sharp pain or discomfort," which suggests that the speaker has been hurt by this little bane in some way. This line also serves to create a sense of empathy in the reader, as they begin to feel the speaker's pain and understand the seriousness of the situation.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "So exquisite – the pain." This line is significant because it reveals the speaker's attitude towards the little bane. The word "exquisite" means "extremely beautiful and delicate," which seems to contradict the idea of pain. However, Dickinson is using this word ironically to emphasize the intensity of the pain caused by the little bane. The speaker is suggesting that the pain is so intense that it becomes beautiful in its own way.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "I wonder if it hurts to live." This line is significant because it reveals the speaker's existential musings. The speaker is questioning the nature of existence and wondering if life is inherently painful. This line also serves to create a sense of introspection in the reader, as they begin to question their own existence and the meaning of life.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "And if they have to try." This line is significant because it suggests that the little bane is not something that can be avoided. The word "they" refers to all living beings, suggesting that we are all exposed to this danger. The word "try" suggests that we must make an effort to avoid the little bane, but it may not always be possible.
In conclusion, Behold this little Bane – a poem by Emily Dickinson is a powerful piece of literature that explores the nature of existence and the fragility of life. Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices, including irony, paradox, and introspection, to convey her message. The poem serves as a reminder that even the smallest things can have a significant impact on our lives and that we must be vigilant to avoid the little bane. As readers, we are left with a sense of unease and introspection, as we contemplate the meaning of life and the inevitability of pain.
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