'How destitute is he' by Emily Dickinson
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How destitute is he
Whose Gold is firm
Who finds it every time
The small stale Sum—
When Love with but a Pence
Will so display
As is a disrespect
To India.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
How Destitute is He by Emily Dickinson: A Close Look
Wow, what a poem! How destitute is he by Emily Dickinson is a literary gem that is sure to leave any reader in awe. With just six lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of loneliness and despair in a way that is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a close look at How destitute is he and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a reclusive American poet who lived in the mid-19th century. She wrote over 1800 poems during her lifetime, many of which were only discovered and published after her death. Dickinson's poems are known for their unconventional style and use of language, which often challenged the norms of her time. How destitute is he was likely written in the late 1850s or early 1860s, a time when Dickinson was experiencing personal struggles and isolation.
Analysis
How destitute is he Who has no wealth I deem him poorest of us all In leaving native air
The poem opens with a simple statement: "How destitute is he." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of poverty and its various forms. The second line, "Who has no wealth," is equally straightforward and serves as a continuation of the first line. However, it is the third line that really packs a punch: "I deem him poorest of us all." Here, Dickinson introduces the idea that poverty is not just about material possessions but also about one's state of mind. The speaker is suggesting that someone who has nothing but their native air is actually worse off than someone who has material wealth but lacks this intangible sense of home.
The final three lines of the poem serve to reinforce this idea. The phrase "leaving native air" can be interpreted in a number of ways. It could refer to someone physically leaving their home, or it could be a metaphor for losing one's sense of belonging. Either way, the phrase suggests a sense of displacement and isolation. The use of the word "native" adds another layer to the poem, as it implies a deep connection to one's roots and heritage. By leaving their native air, the subject of the poem is not just losing a physical place but also a part of their identity.
Themes
The theme of poverty is obviously central to this poem, but it is important to note that Dickinson's definition of poverty goes beyond just a lack of material possessions. The poem also touches on the themes of isolation, displacement, and identity. The idea of "native air" can be seen as a metaphor for one's sense of home and belonging, and the poem suggests that this is something that cannot be bought or sold. In this way, How destitute is he can be seen as a commentary on the human condition and our inherent need for connection and belonging.
Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of How destitute is he is the way in which Dickinson uses simple language to convey complex ideas. The phrase "leaving native air" is a perfect example of this. On the surface, it seems like a straightforward statement, but upon closer examination, it carries a great deal of symbolic weight. By using the word "native," Dickinson is tapping into the idea of one's roots and heritage. This is particularly significant given the time period in which the poem was written, when issues of identity and displacement were particularly relevant. The phrase "native air" also has a sense of nostalgia and longing, which adds to the overall emotional impact of the poem.
Literary Devices
Despite its brevity, How destitute is he is filled with literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. One of the most prominent of these is repetition. The use of the word "poorest" in the third line is repeated in the final line, creating a sense of circularity and completion. This repetition also serves to emphasize the central theme of the poem, which is the idea that poverty takes many forms.
Another important literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The phrase "native air" is a metaphor for one's sense of home and belonging. This metaphor is particularly effective because it is both simple and powerful, encapsulating complex ideas in just two words.
Finally, it is worth noting the way in which Dickinson uses punctuation to create pauses and emphasis. The use of a comma after "I deem him poorest of us all" serves to draw out the impact of this statement, allowing the reader to fully absorb its meaning.
Conclusion
How destitute is he by Emily Dickinson is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of poverty, isolation, and identity. Through its use of simple language and powerful symbolism, the poem manages to convey complex ideas in just six lines. As with much of Dickinson's work, How destitute is he challenges the reader to think deeply about the human condition and our inherent need for connection and belonging.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How Destitute is He: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "How destitute is he," which explores the theme of poverty and its impact on the human psyche. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "How destitute is he." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of poverty. The word "destitute" means lacking the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. By using this word in the first line, Dickinson immediately draws our attention to the plight of the poor.
The second line of the poem reads, "Who has no wealth." This line reinforces the idea of poverty and emphasizes the fact that the person being described has no material possessions. The use of the word "wealth" is interesting because it suggests that the person being described is not just poor, but also lacks any kind of social or cultural capital. This person is truly at the bottom of society's hierarchy.
The third line of the poem reads, "I deem." This line is significant because it signals a shift in the poem's perspective. Up until this point, the poem has been describing the person who is destitute. But now, the speaker of the poem is introduced, and we realize that the poem is actually a reflection on the speaker's own thoughts and feelings.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "This poorest jaunt of mine." This line is a bit confusing at first, but it becomes clearer when we understand that "jaunt" means journey or trip. The speaker is saying that their own journey through life is the poorest one they can imagine. This is a powerful statement because it suggests that the speaker has experienced some kind of hardship or struggle in their own life that has made them empathize with the destitute person they are describing.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Life is indeed a boon." This line is interesting because it seems to contradict the previous lines of the poem, which have been focused on poverty and hardship. But when we understand that the speaker is reflecting on their own life, we can see that this line is actually a statement of gratitude. Despite the struggles they have faced, the speaker recognizes that life itself is a gift.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "But if he knew that I were coming." This line is a bit mysterious, but it becomes clearer when we read the next few lines. The speaker is imagining what the destitute person would think if they knew that the speaker was coming to visit them. This suggests that the speaker is not just reflecting on their own life, but also on their relationship with the destitute person.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "He'd rise and look around." This line is significant because it suggests that the destitute person is not just passive and resigned to their fate. Instead, they are capable of action and agency. The fact that they would "rise and look around" suggests that they are alert and aware of their surroundings.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Whom poverty astounds." This line reinforces the idea that poverty is a shocking and overwhelming experience. The word "astounds" suggests that the destitute person is not just struggling to survive, but also grappling with the emotional and psychological impact of their situation.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "And then uplifted brow." This line is interesting because it suggests that the destitute person would be surprised and perhaps even hopeful to see the speaker. The fact that their brow would be "uplifted" suggests that they would be lifted out of their despair, if only momentarily.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "And then departed on." This line is significant because it suggests that the encounter between the speaker and the destitute person would be brief. The fact that the destitute person would "departed on" suggests that they would return to their difficult life, while the speaker would continue on their own journey.
The eleventh and final line of the poem reads, "The thought that he had been with me." This line is a powerful conclusion to the poem because it suggests that the encounter between the speaker and the destitute person would have a lasting impact on the speaker. The fact that the speaker would think about the destitute person after they had parted ways suggests that the encounter would be transformative.
In conclusion, "How destitute is he" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of poverty and its impact on the human psyche. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson invites us to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with those who are less fortunate than us. By the end of the poem, we are left with a sense of empathy and compassion for the destitute person, and a renewed appreciation for the gift of life itself.
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