'God gave a loaf to every bird,' by Emily Dickinson
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God gave a loaf to every bird,
But just a crumb to me;
I dare not eat it, though I starve,--
My poignant luxury
To own it, touch it, prove the feat
That made the pellet mine,--
Too happy in my sparrow chance
For ampler coveting.
It might be famine all around,
I could not miss an ear,
Such plenty smiles upon my board,
My garner shows so fair.
I wonder how the rich may feel,--
An Indiaman--an Earl?
I deem that I with but a crumb
Am sovereign of them all.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"God gave a loaf to every bird" by Emily Dickinson: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in American literary history, is known for her unique style and language that often challenges the conventional norms of poetry. "God gave a loaf to every bird," is one of her most famous poems, which explores the themes of nature, freedom, and divine providence. This poem is an excellent example of Dickinson's literary prowess, which is characterized by her unconventional use of language, her unique perspective on life, and her ability to convey complex emotions with simple words.
The Poem
God gave a loaf to every bird, But just a crumb to me; I dare not eat it, though I starve, My poignant luxury
To own it, touch it, Prove the feat that made the pellet mine, - Too happy in my sparrow chance, For ampler coveting.
It is a simple poem with only six lines, but the meaning it conveys is profound. The poem's first line is an allusion to the biblical passage that says, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them" (Matthew 6:26). In this line, Dickinson suggests that even the smallest and most insignificant creatures of nature are provided for by God.
However, the poem's second line introduces a contrast between the birds and the speaker. While the birds are given a loaf, the speaker is only given a crumb. The word "just" in this line emphasizes the speaker's feeling of being left out or neglected. The contrast between abundance and scarcity in this line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the speaker's complex emotions about her situation.
The third line reveals the speaker's agony at being deprived of what others have. She cannot eat the crumb, even if she starves, because it is not enough to satisfy her. This line shows that the speaker is not content with the crumbs of life but wants more.
The next two lines reveal the speaker's conflicting emotions about her situation. She longs to own the crumb and prove that she can have something for herself, but she is also happy with what she has. The word "too" in the fifth line suggests that the speaker feels guilty for wanting more than what she has. But at the same time, she is content with her "sparrow chance" and does not want to covet more.
The final line of the poem leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity. The word "amplar" is an archaic spelling of "ampler," which means "more extensive or spacious." The word "coveting" suggests that the speaker wants more than what she has but does not want to admit it. The line's meaning is not clear, leaving the reader to interpret it in their own way.
Literary Analysis
The poem's title, "God gave a loaf to every bird," is crucial to understanding the poem's central theme. The title suggests that God provides for all creatures, even the smallest and most insignificant ones. The word "God" in the title also suggests that the poem's theme is related to spirituality and divine providence. The poem's first line reinforces this idea and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The contrast between the birds and the speaker in the second line is the poem's central conflict. The speaker feels left out and neglected, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. Many of her poems explore the speaker's isolation and loneliness, which are often caused by societal norms and expectations. In this poem, the speaker's isolation is caused by her sense of being deprived of what others have.
The third line reveals the speaker's inner turmoil, which is caused by her conflicting emotions. She cannot eat the crumb, even if she starves, because it is not enough to satisfy her. This line shows that the speaker is not content with the crumbs of life but wants more. The word "poignant" suggests that the speaker's agony is intense and acute, which reinforces the idea that she feels deeply about her situation.
The next two lines reveal the speaker's conflicting emotions about her situation. She longs to own the crumb and prove that she can have something for herself, but she is also happy with what she has. The word "too" in the fifth line suggests that the speaker feels guilty for wanting more than what she has. But at the same time, she is content with her "sparrow chance" and does not want to covet more.
The final line of the poem leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity. The word "amplar" is an archaic spelling of "ampler," which means "more extensive or spacious." The word "coveting" suggests that the speaker wants more than what she has but does not want to admit it. The line's meaning is not clear, leaving the reader to interpret it in their own way.
Interpretation
The poem's central theme is the conflict between the speaker's desire for more and her contentment with what she has. The speaker feels left out and neglected, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The poem suggests that the speaker's sense of being deprived is caused by societal norms and expectations, which dictate what she should have and what she should be content with.
The poem also suggests that the speaker's conflict is related to spirituality and divine providence. The title, "God gave a loaf to every bird," suggests that God provides for all creatures, even the smallest and most insignificant ones. The contrast between the birds and the speaker in the second line reinforces this idea, showing that the speaker feels left out of God's providence.
The third line reveals the speaker's inner turmoil, which is caused by her conflicting emotions. She cannot eat the crumb, even if she starves, because it is not enough to satisfy her. This line shows that the speaker is not content with the crumbs of life but wants more. The word "poignant" suggests that the speaker's agony is intense and acute, which reinforces the idea that she feels deeply about her situation.
The next two lines reveal the speaker's conflicting emotions about her situation. She longs to own the crumb and prove that she can have something for herself, but she is also happy with what she has. The word "too" in the fifth line suggests that the speaker feels guilty for wanting more than what she has. But at the same time, she is content with her "sparrow chance" and does not want to covet more.
The final line of the poem leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity. The word "amplar" is an archaic spelling of "ampler," which means "more extensive or spacious." The word "coveting" suggests that the speaker wants more than what she has but does not want to admit it. The line's meaning is not clear, leaving the reader to interpret it in their way. It could mean that the speaker is content with what she has and does not want to covet more, or it could mean that she wants more but does not want to admit it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "God gave a loaf to every bird" is a remarkable poem that reveals Emily Dickinson's literary prowess and unique perspective on life. The poem explores the themes of nature, freedom, and divine providence, which are central to Dickinson's poetry. The contrast between the birds and the speaker, the speaker's inner turmoil, and conflicting emotions reveal the poem's central conflict, which is between the speaker's desire for more and her contentment with what she has. The final line's ambiguity leaves the reader to interpret the poem's meaning in their own way, which is characteristic of Dickinson's poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry God gave a loaf to every bird: An Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often delves into the themes of nature, death, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry God gave a loaf to every bird," is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the power of poetry and its ability to connect us with the divine.
The poem begins with the line "Poetry God gave a loaf to every bird," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "loaf" suggests that poetry is a sustenance, something that is necessary for survival. This idea is further reinforced in the next line, which states that "But just a crumb to me." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that while poetry is essential for all creatures, humans are often unable to fully appreciate its value.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, with Dickinson stating that "I dare not eat it, though I starve." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even though the speaker is in desperate need of poetry, they are unable to fully embrace it. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible explanation is that the speaker is afraid of the power that poetry holds. They are afraid of what it might reveal about themselves or the world around them.
The third stanza of the poem is where things start to get really interesting. Here, Dickinson writes that "The solemn moments of the bee / Are worthily employed." This line is significant because it suggests that even the smallest creatures in nature are capable of experiencing profound moments of contemplation and reflection. The use of the word "solemn" also suggests that these moments are sacred, and that they are to be respected and valued.
The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme, with Dickinson stating that "This is the way to light / Denied the bee." Here, she is suggesting that poetry is a way to access a deeper level of understanding and enlightenment that might otherwise be inaccessible. The use of the word "light" is particularly significant, as it suggests that poetry has the power to illuminate the world around us and reveal things that might otherwise be hidden.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful of all. Here, Dickinson writes that "What noble trifles / Are here!" This line is significant because it suggests that even the smallest things in life can be imbued with meaning and significance. The use of the word "noble" suggests that these trifles are not insignificant, but rather are worthy of our attention and contemplation.
Overall, "Poetry God gave a loaf to every bird" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the power of poetry and its ability to connect us with the divine. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson suggests that poetry is a sustenance that is essential for all creatures, and that even the smallest things in life can be imbued with meaning and significance. This is a message that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written, and it is a testament to Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.
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