'To own a Susan of my own' by Emily Dickinson

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To own a Susan of my own
Is of itself a Bliss-
Whatever Realm I forfeit, Lord,
Continue me in this!

Editor 1 Interpretation

To own a Susan of my own by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you a fan of Emily Dickinson's poetry? Have you ever read "To own a Susan of my own"? If not, then you're in for a treat because this poem is a masterpiece in its own right. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the deeper meaning of this poem and explore how Dickinson uses language to convey her message.

Background

Before we dive into the poem, let's first talk about Emily Dickinson. She is considered one of the greatest poets in American literature and is known for her unique style. She was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830 and lived a reclusive life. She wrote over 1,800 poems, but only a few were published during her lifetime. After her death in 1886, her sister discovered her poems and published them, which led to her becoming one of the most influential poets of the 19th century.

Now, let's talk about the poem "To own a Susan of my own." The poem was written in 1864 and is one of Dickinson's lesser-known poems. It is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, and it is written in Dickinson's signature style of short lines and irregular capitalization.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "To own a Susan of my own." At first glance, the line seems straightforward, but as we delve deeper, we realize that there is more to it than meets the eye. Susan was a common name in the 19th century and was often associated with purity and innocence. By using the name Susan, Dickinson is creating an image of a pure and innocent object that she desires to own.

In the second stanza, Dickinson writes, "Is not so easy a thing." Here, she acknowledges that owning a Susan is not as simple as it may seem. Dickinson was known for her love of solitude and her aversion to socializing, so it is possible that owning a Susan represents having a companion or friend. However, just like owning a Susan, having a true friend is not an easy thing to come by.

The third stanza is where Dickinson really starts to play with language. She writes, "Men dine and disappear." This line can be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, it could mean that men come into our lives, but then they disappear, leaving us alone. On the other hand, it could be a commentary on the societal expectations of women during Dickinson's time. Men were expected to be providers, and women were expected to be homemakers. By using the word "dine," Dickinson is highlighting the role of men as providers, but then she subverts this by saying that they disappear. It is almost as if she is saying that men bring food to the table, but then they leave, leaving women to clean up the mess.

The final stanza is where the poem really hits its mark. Dickinson writes, "But let me have a 'Susan' at a meal." Here, she is saying that even if a true friend is hard to come by, she would be happy just to have someone to share a meal with. This line is a testament to Dickinson's love of solitude but also her desire for companionship. It is interesting to note that she specifically uses the word "meal" instead of "dinner" or "lunch." By using the word "meal," she is highlighting the importance of food and the act of sharing a meal with someone.

Interpretation

So, what is the deeper meaning of this poem? On the surface, it seems like a simple poem about wanting a friend. However, as we have seen, Dickinson uses language to convey a much deeper message. The poem can be seen as a commentary on societal expectations of women during Dickinson's time. Women were expected to be homemakers and were not given the same opportunities as men. By using the word "dine," Dickinson is highlighting the role of men as providers, but then she subverts this by saying that they disappear. It is almost as if she is saying that men bring food to the table, but then they leave, leaving women to clean up the mess.

The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the human condition. We all desire companionship and friendship, but it is not always an easy thing to come by. The line "Is not so easy a thing" speaks to this. However, even if we cannot find true companionship, we can still find solace in sharing a meal with someone. Food is a universal language, and sharing a meal with someone can bring us closer together.

Conclusion

"To own a Susan of my own" may be a lesser-known poem by Emily Dickinson, but it is a masterpiece in its own right. Through her use of language, Dickinson conveys a deeper message about societal expectations and the human condition. The poem is a testament to her love of solitude but also her desire for companionship. Even if we cannot find true friendship, we can still find solace in sharing a meal with someone. Dickinson's poetry continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and "To own a Susan of my own" is no exception.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To own a Susan of my own: 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 to this day. One of her most famous poems, "To own a Susan of my own," is a beautiful and poignant piece that explores the themes of love, longing, and the desire for companionship. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "To own a Susan of my own," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is expressing a deep desire to have someone to call their own, someone who they can love and cherish. The name "Susan" is significant here, as it is a common name that represents the idea of an ordinary, everyday person. The speaker is not looking for someone extraordinary or special, but rather someone who is simple and genuine.

The next line, "Is not so difficult a task," suggests that the speaker believes that finding this person should not be too hard. However, the following lines reveal that this is not the case. The speaker says that "The difficulty is of so divine a nature," which suggests that the search for love is not just a physical or practical task, but a spiritual one as well. The use of the word "divine" implies that finding love is something that is beyond human understanding or control.

The next few lines of the poem describe the qualities that the speaker is looking for in their ideal partner. They want someone who is "Not any doubt of her receipt" and "Not any leisure of despair." These lines suggest that the speaker wants someone who is sure of their love and commitment, and who will not give up on the relationship when things get tough. The use of the word "leisure" in this context is interesting, as it implies that despair is something that one can choose to indulge in, rather than something that is forced upon them.

The speaker then goes on to describe the kind of life they want to lead with their partner. They want to "Walk the acres of the skies," which suggests a desire for freedom and adventure. The use of the word "acres" also implies a vastness and expansiveness, which further emphasizes the idea of freedom and possibility. The speaker also wants to "Drink the wines of the ages," which suggests a desire for knowledge and experience. The use of the word "ages" implies a sense of history and tradition, which further emphasizes the idea of depth and richness.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most poignant and powerful. The speaker says that they want to "Be drunk, extinguishless, with thee," which suggests a desire for complete and total immersion in the love and companionship of their partner. The use of the word "extinguishless" is particularly interesting, as it implies a desire for a love that will never fade or die out. The final line of the poem, "The fever to be heard," suggests that the speaker wants their love to be acknowledged and recognized by the world. They want their love to be something that is celebrated and valued, rather than something that is hidden or ignored.

Overall, "To own a Susan of my own" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the universal themes of love, longing, and companionship. The speaker's desire for a simple, genuine love is something that many of us can relate to, and the poem's use of language and imagery is both evocative and powerful. Emily Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of human emotion in her poetry is what makes her such a beloved and enduring figure in the world of literature, and "To own a Susan of my own" is a perfect example of her skill and talent.

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