'Superiority to Fate' by Emily Dickinson

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Superiority to Fate
Is difficult to gain
'Tis not conferred of Any
But possible to earnA pittance at a time
Until to Her surprise
The Soul with strict economy
Subsist till Paradise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: Superiority to Fate by Emily Dickinson

Are you a poetry lover? Do you enjoy reading and interpreting classic poems? If so, then you are in for a treat with Emily Dickinson's "Superiority to Fate," a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature. In this 4000 word literary criticism, we will take a closer look at this classic poem, its themes, and its literary devices, providing an insightful interpretation that will leave you pondering its meaning long after you've finished reading it.

Biographical Context

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a quick look at Dickinson's life and work. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830, and grew up in a prominent family. She attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary but only for a year, and she returned home where she remained until her death in 1886. Dickinson is known for her unique writing style, marked by unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and she is considered one of America's greatest poets.

Dickinson lived during an era marked by social and political change, including the abolitionist movement and the women's suffrage movement. Although she was a recluse and rarely left her home, her poetry reflects the cultural and political climate of her time, and she often wrote about themes such as death, love, nature, and faith.

Poem Analysis

"Superiority to Fate" is a short poem that contains only six lines. Despite its brevity, however, it is a powerful work of literature that provides a powerful message about life and the human condition. Let's take a closer look at the poem and its literary devices.

Poem Text

"Superiority to Fate" by Emily Dickinson

Superiority to Fate Is difficult to gain 'Tis not conferred of Any But possible to earn

A pittance at a time Until, to Her surprise, The Soul with strict economy Subsists till Paradise.

Poem Structure

The poem has a simple structure, consisting of six lines that are not divided into stanzas. The lines are short, with an average of five words per line, and the poem has a regular rhyme scheme: ABABCC. The first four lines of the poem form a quatrain, and the final two lines form a couplet. The poem has a regular meter, with an iambic rhythm.

Poetic Devices

Dickinson uses several poetic devices in the poem, including imagery, metaphor, and personification. Here are some examples:

• Imagery: Dickinson uses imagery to describe the process of gaining superiority to fate. She compares it to earning a pittance at a time, which suggests a slow and gradual process. She also uses the image of subsistence to describe how the soul can survive until Paradise.
• Metaphor: The poem is full of metaphors that help to convey its message. For example, superiority to fate is compared to a treasure that is difficult to obtain. The soul is compared to a person who is subsisting on a meager income. Paradise is compared to a state of blissful existence.
• Personification: Dickinson personifies fate by describing it as something that confers superiority. She also personifies the soul by describing it as something that can subsist.

Poem Interpretation

So what does "Superiority to Fate" mean? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human condition and the struggle to gain control over one's life. Dickinson suggests that fate is a powerful force that can be difficult to overcome, but that it is possible to gain superiority over it through hard work and perseverance.

The poem suggests that gaining superiority to fate is a slow and gradual process, one that requires a "pittance at a time." This suggests that it is not something that can be achieved all at once, but rather something that must be earned through effort and diligence. The metaphor of earning a pittance also suggests that gaining superiority to fate is something that requires sacrifice and hard work.

The final two lines of the poem suggest that gaining superiority to fate is a worthwhile pursuit. The soul can subsist on a meager income, suggesting that it is possible to survive even in the face of adversity. The idea of Paradise also suggests that there is a state of existence that is beyond the reach of fate, a place where the soul can find peace and fulfillment.

Themes

The poem touches on several themes that are central to Dickinson's work, including the struggle for control, the power of perseverance, and the possibility of transcendence. Here are some other themes that the poem touches on:

• Fate: The poem suggests that fate is a powerful force that can be difficult to overcome. However, it also suggests that it is possible to gain superiority over fate through hard work and perseverance.
• Control: The poem is a meditation on the struggle for control, suggesting that it is possible to gain control over one's life through effort and diligence.
• Perseverance: The poem suggests that gaining superiority to fate is a slow and gradual process that requires perseverance and hard work.
• Transcendence: The idea of Paradise suggests that there is a state of existence that is beyond the reach of fate, a place where the soul can find peace and fulfillment.

Conclusion

"Superiority to Fate" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that provides a powerful message about life and the human condition. Although it is a short poem, it is rich in literary devices and themes that make it an enduring classic. Dickinson's unique writing style and unconventional punctuation and capitalization make the poem all the more memorable, and its message of perseverance and the possibility of transcendence resonates with readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Superiority to Fate: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep philosophical themes. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry Superiority to Fate," which explores the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of fate and mortality. In this article, we will analyze this masterpiece and explore its significance in the context of Dickinson's life and literary legacy.

The poem begins with a bold assertion: "I'm nobody! Who are you? / Are you nobody, too?" This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of rebellion against societal norms and expectations. Dickinson was known for her reclusive lifestyle and her refusal to conform to the conventions of her time. In this poem, she celebrates the freedom of being nobody, of not being bound by the constraints of fame or fortune.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of poetry as a means of transcending fate. Dickinson writes, "How dreary to be somebody! / How public, like a frog / To tell your name the livelong day / To an admiring bog!" Here, she contrasts the mundane existence of those who seek fame and recognition with the transcendent power of poetry. To be somebody, in Dickinson's view, is to be trapped in a cycle of self-promotion and self-aggrandizement. Poetry, on the other hand, allows one to escape this cycle and connect with something greater than oneself.

The third stanza of the poem expands on this theme, exploring the idea that poetry can give meaning to life in the face of mortality. Dickinson writes, "I've heard it in the chillest land, / And on the strangest sea; / Yet, never, in extremity, / It asked a crumb of me." Here, she suggests that poetry can provide solace and comfort even in the darkest moments of life. Unlike fate, which demands everything from us, poetry asks nothing in return. It is a gift that we can give to ourselves and to others, a way of transcending the limitations of our mortal existence.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson asserts the superiority of poetry over fate. She writes, "Fate - they say - is a rod, / And Fate - they say - is blind, / But I know whom Fate would spare, / And whom she would not mind." Here, she challenges the notion that fate is an all-powerful force that determines our lives. Instead, she suggests that poetry can give us agency and control over our own destinies. By creating something beautiful and enduring, we can transcend the limitations of fate and leave a lasting legacy.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of mortality and transcendence full circle. Dickinson writes, "So, we must meet apart, / You there, I - here, / With just the door ajar / That oceans are, and prayer, / And that white sustenance, despair!" Here, she suggests that even in death, we can find a way to connect with one another through poetry. The door may be ajar, but it is enough to allow us to glimpse the transcendent power of poetry and the possibility of a life beyond fate.

In conclusion, "Poetry Superiority to Fate" is a masterpiece of American literature that explores the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of fate and mortality. Through her unconventional style and bold assertions, Emily Dickinson challenges the conventions of her time and celebrates the freedom of being nobody. She suggests that poetry can provide solace and comfort in the face of mortality and give us agency and control over our own destinies. Ultimately, she asserts the superiority of poetry over fate, suggesting that even in death, we can find a way to connect with one another through the transcendent power of poetry.

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