'I cannot want it more—' by Emily Dickinson
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I cannot want it more—
I cannot want it less—
My Human Nature's fullest force
Expends itself on this.
And yet it nothing is
To him who easy owns—
Is Worth itself or Distance
He fathoms who obtains.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I cannot want it more" by Emily Dickinson
Oh, this poem! This beautiful, haunting, enigmatic piece of work by one of America's greatest poets. Emily Dickinson's "I cannot want it more" is a short, yet powerful poem that has fascinated readers for over a century. In just eight lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of human desire, the yearning for something that always seems just out of reach.
Let's dive into this poem and explore its depths, shall we?
The text
First, let's read the poem in its entirety:
I cannot want it more—
Tis Than the Rainbow's Daughter—
Her Gown Cordelia's,
The Commercial Exclusive To Arcturus borne—
Senates of Purple—
Seraphs of Or—
Pouring such a Luxuriant,
Aristocratical Quantity of Woe,
As eye did never know!
At first glance, the poem seems almost nonsensical. What does it mean that the speaker "cannot want it more"? What is "Than the Rainbow's Daughter"? Who are Cordelia and Arcturus? And what on earth are "Senates of Purple" and "Seraphs of Or"?
But as with most of Dickinson's work, a closer reading reveals a wealth of meaning and emotion hidden beneath the surface.
The Rainbow's Daughter
The first line of the poem, "I cannot want it more," sets the tone for the entire piece. The speaker is consumed by desire, for something so intense that it cannot be expressed in words. And what is this thing that the speaker wants so desperately? "Tis Than the Rainbow's Daughter."
The Rainbow's Daughter is a mysterious figure, but we can assume that she represents something beautiful, elusive, and unobtainable. Like a rainbow itself, she is fleeting and ethereal, impossible to catch or hold onto. And yet, the speaker cannot stop wanting her.
The Gown of Cordelia
The second line of the poem introduces Cordelia, a name that may be familiar to fans of Shakespeare's "King Lear." In that play, Cordelia is Lear's youngest and most beloved daughter, who refuses to flatter him as her sisters do and is banished as a result.
Here, Cordelia's name is used to describe the Rainbow's Daughter's gown. We can imagine that this garment is just as beautiful and pure as Cordelia herself, but also as unattainable as the Rainbow's Daughter.
Arcturus
The next line introduces another mysterious figure: "The Commercial Exclusive To Arcturus borne." Arcturus is a star in the constellation Boötes, and Dickinson may have chosen it for its brightness and prominence in the night sky.
But what does it mean that the Rainbow's Daughter's gown is "commercial exclusive" to Arcturus? Perhaps this is a metaphor for how some things are only available to those who have the means to obtain them. The speaker may be longing for something that is out of reach because of her social or economic status.
Senates of Purple and Seraphs of Or
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most difficult to interpret. "Senates of Purple" and "Seraphs of Or" are both mysterious phrases that seem to refer to some kind of heavenly or divine beings.
Purple is often associated with royalty and power, so the "Senates of Purple" may be a reference to powerful rulers or leaders. And "Seraphs of Or" may be a reference to the highest order of angels, who are often depicted as having golden or orange wings.
But why are these beings "Pouring such a Luxuriant, / Aristocratical Quantity of Woe"? This is where the poem becomes truly enigmatic. Perhaps the speaker is suggesting that even the most powerful and divine beings are not immune to suffering and pain. Or perhaps she is saying that the beauty and luxury of the Rainbow's Daughter and her gown only serve to highlight the speaker's own misery and longing.
Conclusion
"I cannot want it more" is a poem that raises more questions than it answers. Who is the speaker? What is she longing for? And why is it so important to her? But in its ambiguity, the poem captures the essence of human desire, the yearning for something that always seems just out of reach.
Dickinson's language is rich and evocative, full of unexpected metaphors and allusions. The poem is like a puzzle, with each line providing a new piece to the overall picture. And yet, even when we think we have solved the puzzle, there is always another layer of meaning to be uncovered.
"I cannot want it more" is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a writer and her ability to capture the complexity of human emotion in just a few lines of verse. It is a poem that will continue to fascinate and intrigue readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I cannot want it more— is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful expression of the human desire for something that seems unattainable. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax.
The poem begins with the line, "I cannot want it more," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is expressing a deep longing for something that they cannot have, and this desire is consuming them. The use of the word "cannot" suggests that the speaker has tried to suppress this desire, but it is too strong to ignore.
The second line of the poem, "I cannot hope," reinforces the idea that the speaker has given up on the possibility of attaining what they desire. The use of the word "hope" suggests that the speaker has lost faith in the possibility of achieving their goal. This line also introduces the idea of despair, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The third line of the poem, "My soul is full," suggests that the speaker's desire has consumed them to the point where they feel empty. The use of the word "soul" suggests that this desire is not just a physical longing but a spiritual one as well. The speaker's soul is full of this desire, and it is all-consuming.
The fourth line of the poem, "The sea is full," introduces the first metaphor in the poem. The sea is often used as a metaphor for the infinite, and in this case, it represents the speaker's desire. The use of the word "full" suggests that the speaker's desire is vast and uncontainable, like the sea.
The fifth line of the poem, "The meadow is full," introduces another metaphor. The meadow is often used as a metaphor for peace and tranquility, but in this case, it represents the opposite. The use of the word "full" suggests that the speaker's desire has disrupted the peace and tranquility of the meadow.
The sixth line of the poem, "And I am full of thee," brings the focus back to the speaker's desire. The use of the word "thee" suggests that the speaker's desire is for a specific person. This line also reinforces the idea that the speaker's desire is all-consuming and has taken over their entire being.
The seventh line of the poem, "And all the world is full of me," introduces a new perspective. The use of the word "world" suggests that the speaker's desire has become so overwhelming that it has affected the entire world around them. This line also suggests that the speaker's desire has become a source of power for them.
The eighth and final line of the poem, "And I am full of thee," brings the poem full circle. The repetition of this line reinforces the idea that the speaker's desire is all-consuming and has taken over their entire being. The use of the word "thee" suggests that the speaker's desire is for a specific person, and this desire has become a part of their identity.
In conclusion, I cannot want it more— is a beautiful expression of the human desire for something that seems unattainable. The poem is a perfect example of Emily Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. The use of metaphors and repetition adds depth and meaning to the poem, and the overall effect is a powerful expression of the human experience.
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