'The Clover's simple Fame' by Emily Dickinson
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The Clover's simple Fame
Remembered of the Cow—
Is better than enameled Realms
Of notability.
Renown perceives itself
And that degrades the Flower—
The Daisy that has looked behind
Has compromised its power—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Clover's Simple Fame by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Interpretation
Oh, what a delight it is to delve deep into the works of the great Emily Dickinson! Her poems are like little gems, each one holding a unique and precious meaning that we can cherish and learn from. Today, I want to talk about one of her lesser-known poems, The Clover's Simple Fame, and explore its themes, structure, and symbolism.
The Poem
Here is the original text of the poem:
The Clover’s simple Fame
Remembered of the Cow—
Is better than enameled Realms
Of notability.
Renown perceives itself
And that degrades the Flower—
The Daisy that has looked behind
Has compromised the power—
To gain the Rhododendron’s Breast
Requires the Surrender
Of all that made the Daisy dear—
Not any port is safe—
But when the Sea affronts the Bird
And overpowering it—
Decries itself as better far—
Than all that there beside—
The Waves washed out of sight
The Bird abroad at Sea—
But He is true and bold
And majesty attend the Bier
Of Him who never told—
The Saga of his Fidelity—
But lived and died as does the Bull—
Fidelity’s epitome.
Structure and Form
As with many of Dickinson's poems, The Clover's Simple Fame follows an unconventional structure and form. It consists of three stanzas of equal length, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, meaning that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other.
The poem is also characterized by its use of dashes, which is a common feature in Dickinson's writing. The dashes serve to create pauses and breaks in the flow of the poem, emphasizing certain words and phrases and giving the reader time to reflect on their meaning.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, The Clover's Simple Fame is a meditation on the nature of fame and how it is perceived. The opening lines of the poem set the tone by contrasting the "simple Fame" of the clover, which is remembered by the cow that feeds on it, with the "enameled Realms" of notability that are sought after by human beings.
This contrast is further explored in the second stanza, where Dickinson suggests that the pursuit of fame and recognition can actually be degrading. "Renown perceives itself," she writes, "And that degrades the Flower—". In other words, the act of seeking fame for its own sake can diminish the value of the thing being sought after.
The third stanza brings in more imagery and symbolism, with references to the daisy and the rhododendron. Dickinson suggests that the daisy, which has "looked behind", or looked within itself, has compromised its power by seeking to gain the recognition and status of the more prestigious rhododendron. In order to achieve this, the daisy must surrender its own unique qualities and characteristics, which are what made it special in the first place.
The final lines of the poem introduce a new metaphor, that of the bird and the sea. The bird, which is overpowered by the sea, is said to "decrie itself as better far—/Than all that there beside—". Here, Dickinson seems to be suggesting that the pursuit of fame and recognition can be a form of self-deception, wherein one convinces oneself that they are superior to others simply because they have achieved a certain level of notoriety.
The final lines of the poem bring all of these themes together in a powerful and poignant way. In likening the bird to the bull, which is known for its fidelity and devotion, Dickinson suggests that true greatness is not found in the pursuit of fame and recognition, but in the steadfastness and loyalty to one's own unique qualities and characteristics.
Symbolism
As with many of Dickinson's poems, The Clover's Simple Fame is rich in symbolism and metaphor. The clover, for example, represents the simple and unassuming things in life that are often overlooked or dismissed in favor of more grandiose pursuits. The cow, which feeds on the clover, represents the natural world and the cycles of life and death that occur within it.
The daisy and the rhododendron, meanwhile, represent the different paths one can take in the pursuit of fame and recognition. The daisy, which is content to be itself, represents the path of authenticity and self-acceptance. The rhododendron, which requires the surrender of one's unique qualities, represents the path of conformity and the sacrifice of one's own identity.
The bird and the sea, finally, represent the human desire for greatness and recognition. The sea, with its vastness and power, represents the world of human ambition and the pursuit of greatness. The bird, which is overpowered by the sea, represents the individual who is consumed by their desire for fame and recognition, leading them to lose sight of their own unique qualities and characteristics.
Conclusion
In The Clover's Simple Fame, Emily Dickinson offers a powerful meditation on the nature of fame and recognition. Through her use of rich symbolism and metaphor, she shows us that true greatness is not found in the pursuit of fame and notoriety, but in the steadfastness and loyalty to one's own unique qualities and characteristics. As always, Dickinson's poetry is rich in meaning and depth, leaving the reader with much to ponder and reflect upon.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Clover's Simple Fame: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her works. One of her most famous poems is "The Clover's Simple Fame," a short but powerful piece that explores the nature of fame and the beauty of simplicity.
At first glance, "The Clover's Simple Fame" may seem like a simple poem about a common plant. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Dickinson is using the clover as a metaphor for something much deeper.
The poem begins with the line "To be a Clover, is to be," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is suggesting that the clover is content simply existing, without the need for recognition or fame. This is a stark contrast to the human desire for fame and recognition, which often drives people to do extraordinary things.
The second stanza of the poem further emphasizes this point, with Dickinson writing, "Contented as the Boy whose Bliss / A Mushroom, or a Butterfly." Here, she is comparing the clover's contentment to that of a child who is happy with the simple pleasures of life, such as finding a mushroom or chasing a butterfly. This comparison highlights the beauty of simplicity and the joy that can be found in the small things in life.
In the third stanza, Dickinson shifts her focus to the concept of fame. She writes, "Acres of Clover, are a Cloud / Of Factory, concerted / And Seasons, a staunch Capital / By a simple Clover vested." Here, she is suggesting that the vast fields of clover are just as important and valuable as the factories and capital of the world. The clover may not be famous or well-known, but it is still an integral part of the natural world.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, with Dickinson writing, "Yet, I feel richer for the doubt / That I shall never own you / The license to be warm expires / Till the contented Day." Here, she is acknowledging that she will never truly understand the clover's contentment and simplicity, but she still feels enriched by the knowledge that it exists. She also suggests that the license to be content and happy expires at the end of each day, emphasizing the fleeting nature of happiness and the importance of cherishing it while it lasts.
Overall, "The Clover's Simple Fame" is a powerful poem that explores the nature of fame and the beauty of simplicity. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson is able to convey a complex message in just a few short stanzas. The poem serves as a reminder that happiness and contentment can be found in the simplest of things, and that fame and recognition are not necessary for a fulfilling life.
In conclusion, "The Clover's Simple Fame" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of simplicity and contentment is timeless, and its use of metaphor and imagery is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, this poem is definitely worth checking out.
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