'In rags mysterious as these' by Emily Dickinson
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In rags mysterious as these
The shining Courtiers go—
Veiling the purple, and the plumes—
Veiling the ermine so.
Smiling, as they request an alms—
At some imposing door!
Smiling when we walk barefoot
Upon their golden floor!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"In rags mysterious as these" by Emily Dickinson
Oh boy, where do I even start with this poem? It's one of those pieces that leaves you with more questions than answers. But that's what makes it so intriguing, isn't it?
Let's first lay out the basic facts. "In rags mysterious as these" is a short poem by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned American poets of all time. It was likely written in the mid-1860s, a time when Dickinson was at the height of her literary output.
The poem itself is only four stanzas long, but each stanza packs a punch. Here's the full text:
In rags mysterious as these
The shining courtiers go—
Veiling the purple, and the plumes
Veiling the ermine so.
Smiling, as they step aside,
Beckoning, and bowing still—
What is this but bonnet-bands
And metalled waistcoat-thrill!
Charm a starving woman
Show me desolate—
Show me the one who never knew
Midnight—then to me!
Although I put away
His life—
An Ornament too grand
For me to wear with him—
A Prayer I found to say
And beads for my departed love
This poem is a bit of a head-scratcher, wouldn't you agree? At first glance, it seems to be describing a scene of courtiers passing by, dressed in luxurious garments but hiding their true appearance behind veils. But then the tone shifts, and the speaker asks to see something more desolate, more real. And the final three lines are even more cryptic, seeming to reference some kind of personal loss or sacrifice.
So what is going on here? Let's dive in and try to make sense of it all.
Courtly Intrigue
The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, describing these "mysterious" courtiers who are "veiling the purple, and the plumes / Veiling the ermine so." Right away, we get a sense of opulence and excess. These courtiers are dressed in the finest clothes and adorned with the most extravagant accessories. But the fact that they are "veiling" themselves suggests that there's something they're hiding, something they don't want others to see.
The second stanza gives us a little more insight into these courtiers. They are "smiling" and "step[ping] aside," as if they're trying to be polite and gracious. But the speaker also notes that they are "Beckoning, and bowing still," which implies that they're putting on a show, performing for the crowd rather than acting naturally.
But then we get to the third stanza, and things start to get interesting. The speaker suddenly interrupts the scene of courtly intrigue to demand something more real: "Charm a starving woman / Show me desolate—" It's as if the speaker is bored with this superficial display of wealth and power, and longs for something that speaks to the deeper, more profound aspects of human experience.
The Unknown and the Unseen
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The first two lines seem to be disconnected from the rest of the poem: "Although I put away / His life—" Who is the speaker referring to here? And why does this person's life need to be "put away"?
We might read this as a kind of personal sacrifice on the part of the speaker. Perhaps someone they loved has died or left them, and the speaker is trying to move on from that loss. But the lines that follow are even more puzzling: "An Ornament too grand / For me to wear with him—" What could this "ornament" be? And why is it too grand for the speaker to wear with this person?
The final lines of the poem add even more layers of complexity: "A Prayer I found to say / And beads for my departed love." This suggests that the speaker is engaged in some kind of religious ritual, mourning someone who has passed away. But the use of the word "ornament" in the previous stanza complicates things. Is the speaker mourning a person, or a thing? And what does this have to do with the courtiers and their veils?
Interpretation
So, what do we make of all this? As with most of Emily Dickinson's poetry, there are no easy answers. But here are a few possible interpretations that might shed some light on what's going on:
1. The Veil of Appearances
One possibility is that the courtiers and their veils represent the way in which we hide our true selves from others. We put on a show, perform for the world, and try to appear as something we're not. But underneath the surface, we're all struggling with our own demons and our own pain. The speaker longs to see something more "desolate," more real, because they are tired of this superficiality.
2. The Cost of Love
Another possibility is that the "ornament" the speaker refers to is the cost of loving someone. Perhaps the speaker is mourning someone who was too grand, too complex, too difficult for them to handle. Loving this person was like wearing an ornament that was too heavy, too expensive, too much. But the speaker still loved them, and is now mourning their loss.
3. The Mystery of Death
A third possibility is that the poem is about the mystery of death itself. The courtiers and their veils might represent the unknown and the unseen, the things we can't understand or comprehend. The speaker longs to see something that is truly desolate, truly empty, because they are trying to grapple with the reality of death and what it means for us as humans.
Of course, these are just a few possible interpretations. The beauty of poetry is that it can be read in so many different ways, and each reading can reveal something new and unexpected.
Conclusion
"In rags mysterious as these" is a poem that defies easy categorization. It's a poem about courtly intrigue, personal loss, religious ritual, and the mysteries of life and death. But through all of its enigmatic imagery and cryptic lines, there shines a deep-seated humanity and a longing for something real and true.
Emily Dickinson was a master of ambiguity, and this poem is a prime example of her skill. It's a poem that rewards close reading and careful consideration, and one that will leave you thinking long after you've put it down.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
In Rags Mysterious as These: 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. One of her most famous poems is "In Rags Mysterious as These," a haunting and enigmatic piece that has puzzled scholars and readers alike for decades. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism to uncover its hidden meanings and messages.
The poem begins with the line "In rags mysterious as these," immediately setting a tone of mystery and intrigue. The use of the word "mysterious" suggests that there is something hidden or unknown about the subject of the poem, while the word "rags" implies poverty or destitution. This creates a sense of contrast and tension, as if there is something valuable or important hidden within the poverty and decay.
The next line reads, "The shining courtier rides," introducing a new character into the poem. The courtier is a symbol of wealth, power, and privilege, riding in stark contrast to the poverty and decay of the previous line. This contrast is further emphasized by the use of the word "shining," which suggests that the courtier is not only wealthy but also glamorous and attractive.
The third line reads, "Surprise me with his face," indicating that the speaker is surprised or intrigued by the courtier's appearance. This line also introduces a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity, as the speaker does not reveal whether the surprise is positive or negative. This ambiguity is further emphasized by the use of the word "surprise," which can have both positive and negative connotations.
The fourth line reads, "As parchment is a trace," introducing a new metaphor into the poem. The comparison of the courtier's face to parchment suggests that it is old, wrinkled, and perhaps even fragile. This creates a sense of contrast with the previous line, where the courtier was described as "shining," suggesting that his appearance may not be as glamorous or attractive as it first appeared.
The fifth line reads, "Of a willow on a lake," introducing a new image into the poem. The willow tree is a symbol of sadness and mourning, often associated with death and loss. The fact that it is on a lake suggests that it is isolated and alone, further emphasizing the sense of sadness and loss.
The sixth line reads, "A bearded man drew near," introducing yet another character into the poem. The bearded man is a symbol of wisdom and experience, often associated with old age and knowledge. This creates a sense of contrast with the courtier, who was described as young and glamorous, suggesting that there is something valuable in the bearded man's wisdom and experience.
The seventh line reads, "I asked him to employ me," indicating that the speaker is seeking employment or guidance from the bearded man. This creates a sense of vulnerability and dependence, as the speaker is relying on the bearded man for help and support.
The eighth line reads, "But he declined me for a boon," indicating that the bearded man refused to help the speaker. This creates a sense of disappointment and rejection, as the speaker's hopes and expectations are dashed.
The ninth line reads, "A dizzy lady passed," introducing yet another character into the poem. The dizzy lady is a symbol of confusion and disorientation, often associated with mental illness or instability. This creates a sense of chaos and disorder, further emphasizing the sense of contrast and tension in the poem.
The tenth line reads, "And yet I ask again," indicating that the speaker is persistent in their quest for help and guidance. This creates a sense of determination and resilience, as the speaker refuses to give up despite the setbacks and obstacles they have faced.
The eleventh line reads, "But he was left without a friend," indicating that the bearded man is alone and isolated. This creates a sense of sadness and empathy, as the speaker recognizes the bearded man's loneliness and isolation.
The final line reads, "And I without a home," bringing the poem full circle and emphasizing the sense of poverty and destitution that was introduced in the first line. This creates a sense of closure and finality, as the poem ends on a note of sadness and loss.
Overall, "In Rags Mysterious as These" is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores themes of poverty, wealth, power, and isolation. Through its use of vivid imagery and symbolism, the poem creates a sense of contrast and tension that keeps the reader engaged and intrigued. While the poem's meaning may be elusive and open to interpretation, its emotional impact is undeniable, leaving a lasting impression on all who read it.
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