'If she had been the Mistletoe' by Emily Dickinson
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If she had been the Mistletoe
And I had been the Rose—
How gay upon your table
My velvet life to close—
Since I am of the Druid,
And she is of the dew—
I'll deck Tradition's buttonhole—
And send the Rose to you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's "If she had been the Mistletoe"
Have you ever read a poem that makes you question everything you thought you knew about love and relationships? Emily Dickinson's "If she had been the Mistletoe" is one such poem. At first glance, it seems like a simple poem about a man who wishes his lover were the mistletoe, so he could kiss her whenever he pleased. But as you delve deeper into the poem, you realize that it's not that straightforward. Dickinson is known for her complex and layered poetry, and "If she had been the Mistletoe" is no exception.
The Basics
Let's start with the basics. "If she had been the Mistletoe" is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable). Here's the poem in its entirety:
If she had been the Mistletoe And I had been the Rose— How gay upon your table My velvet life to close!
Since I am of the Druid, And she is of the dew— I'll deck Tradition's buttonhole, And send the Rose to you.
The Literary Devices
Now, let's dive into the literary devices that Dickinson employs in this poem. First and foremost, there's the metaphor of mistletoe and rose. The speaker imagines that if his lover were the mistletoe and he were the rose, he could kiss her whenever he pleased. This metaphor is interesting because mistletoe is traditionally associated with Christmas and kissing under the mistletoe, while roses are associated with love and romance. By combining these two symbols, Dickinson creates a complex and layered image that speaks to the complexities of love and relationships.
Another literary device at play in this poem is personification. The speaker personifies himself as the Druid and his lover as the dew. This creates a sense of otherworldliness and magic that adds to the poem's sense of mystery and intrigue.
The use of iambic tetrameter also adds to the poem's overall effect. The steady, rhythmic beat of the poem creates a sense of order and balance that is juxtaposed with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the mistletoe and the rose.
The Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? At its core, "If she had been the Mistletoe" is a poem about desire and longing. The speaker longs for his lover, and imagines what it would be like if she were always within his reach. The mistletoe represents the physical manifestation of this desire, while the rose represents the speaker's own longing.
But there's more to it than that. The poem also speaks to the power dynamics at play in relationships. The speaker imagines himself as the rose, the object of desire, while his lover is the mistletoe, the passive recipient of his affections. This dynamic is reflected in the language of the poem, where the speaker uses active verbs like "deck" and "send" to describe his actions, while his lover is described in passive terms like "dew" and "life to close."
At the same time, the poem subverts these power dynamics by portraying the mistletoe as something unpredictable and uncontrollable. The speaker cannot simply take what he wants from the mistletoe, as he could from a passive lover. Instead, the mistletoe has a life of its own, and it is up to the speaker to adapt to its whims.
The Criticism
Overall, "If she had been the Mistletoe" is a fascinating poem that rewards careful analysis and interpretation. Dickinson's use of metaphor, personification, and meter creates a complex and layered image that speaks to the complexities of love and relationships. At the same time, the poem subverts traditional power dynamics and challenges our assumptions about desire and longing.
Some critics have argued that the poem is limited by its focus on male desire, and its portrayal of the female lover as a passive object of that desire. While this is certainly a valid critique, I would argue that the poem's subversion of power dynamics and its portrayal of the mistletoe as a wild and uncontrollable force complicates this reading. Ultimately, "If she had been the Mistletoe" is a poem that rewards close reading and interpretation, and continues to captivate readers with its complexity and beauty.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
If She Had Been the Mistletoe: A Poem of Love and Longing
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem, "If She Had Been the Mistletoe," is a beautiful and haunting work that explores the themes of love, longing, and the fleeting nature of life.
The poem begins with the speaker imagining what it would be like if the object of their desire, a woman, had been the mistletoe that they had kissed under. The mistletoe, a symbol of love and romance, is a powerful image that sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The speaker then goes on to describe the woman in question, using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of her beauty and grace. She is described as "fairer than the evening air," with eyes that are "brighter than the starry skies." The speaker is clearly deeply enamored with this woman, and their love for her shines through in every word.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's longing for the woman becomes more and more intense. They describe how they would have held her close and whispered sweet nothings in her ear if she had been the mistletoe. The imagery here is incredibly powerful, evoking a sense of intimacy and tenderness that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Despite the intensity of the speaker's feelings, however, there is a sense of sadness and resignation that runs throughout the poem. The speaker seems to be aware that their love for this woman is unrequited, and that they will never be able to be with her in the way that they desire. This sense of longing and unfulfilled desire is a common theme in Dickinson's work, and it is one that she explores with great skill and sensitivity in "If She Had Been the Mistletoe."
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Dickinson uses language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The imagery is rich and evocative, with each word carefully chosen to convey a particular emotion or feeling. The use of metaphor and symbolism is also incredibly effective, with the mistletoe serving as a powerful symbol of love and romance that runs throughout the poem.
Overall, "If She Had Been the Mistletoe" is a beautiful and haunting work that explores the themes of love, longing, and the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson's skillful use of language and imagery creates a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood, drawing the reader into the speaker's world and allowing them to experience the intensity of their emotions. It is a poem that speaks to the heart, and one that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
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