'Peril as a Possesssion' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1678Peril as a Possesssion
'Tis Good to hear
Danger disintegrates Satiety
There's Basis there-
Begets an awe
That searches Human Nature's creases
As clean as Fire.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poetry, Peril as a Possession" by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Power of Poetry
Poetry has the power to move us, to make us feel things we never thought we could feel, to transport us to places we have never been before. And no one understood this power better than Emily Dickinson, whose poetry continues to captivate readers even today, more than a century after her death.
In this essay, we will take a deep dive into one of Dickinson's most famous poems, "Poetry, Peril as a Possession," and explore the many layers of meaning and significance that lie beneath its deceptively simple surface.
But before we begin, a little background on the poet herself might be helpful. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830 and spent most of her life there, rarely venturing outside her family's property. She was a prolific writer, with over 1,700 poems to her name, though only a handful were published during her lifetime. Her work is known for its unconventional style, its use of slant rhyme and unconventional punctuation, and its explorations of themes such as death, nature, and the human psyche.
Now, let's turn our attention to "Poetry, Peril as a Possession." The poem is only eight lines long, but each word is packed with meaning and significance. Here is the poem in its entirety:
Poetry -- is a
Ravishing way of life --
But never a Reply --
The Heart asks -- of itself --
And Impulse -- adjusted
Betrays -- its Revelry --
Then -- spurn the Bird -- and --
Renounce the Worm --
At first glance, the poem seems to be celebrating the power and beauty of poetry. Poetry is a "ravishing way of life," a way of being in the world that is both beautiful and all-encompassing. But the poem also acknowledges the dangers of poetry, the "peril" that comes with possessing it.
The poem's first line, "Poetry -- is a," is deliberately open-ended. It invites us to complete the sentence ourselves, to come up with our own definition of what poetry is. But the next line, "Ravishing way of life --," suggests that poetry is not just a form of artistic expression, but a way of living one's life. To be a poet is not just to write poetry, but to live poetry, to see the world through a poet's eyes.
But then the poem takes a darker turn. "But never a Reply --" suggests that poetry is not a solution to life's problems, but rather a way of grappling with them. Poetry can't provide us with easy answers or quick fixes; it can only help us to ask better questions.
"The Heart asks -- of itself --" suggests that the questions poetry asks are not just intellectual, but deeply emotional. Poetry is a way of exploring the inner workings of the human heart, of getting in touch with our deepest fears and desires.
"And Impulse -- adjusted / Betrays -- its Revelry --" suggests that even though poetry can be a way of expressing our deepest impulses, it can also be dangerous. To adjust our impulses, to try to control them, is to betray the very revelry that makes poetry so powerful.
"Then -- spurn the Bird -- and -- / Renounce the Worm --" suggests that the dangers of poetry are so great that we may need to renounce it altogether. The bird and the worm are both symbols of temptation: the bird represents the temptation to fly too high, to get too close to the sun, while the worm represents the temptation to stay too close to the ground, to be too earthbound. To spurn both the bird and the worm is to reject both the highs and lows of human experience, to try to find a middle ground where we can be safe and secure.
So what does all this mean? What is Dickinson trying to tell us about poetry, about life, about the human condition?
One interpretation is that Dickinson is warning us about the dangers of giving in too completely to our impulses, of becoming too immersed in our own emotions and desires. Poetry, like any art form, can be intoxicating, but it can also be dangerous if we lose ourselves in it completely. To live a balanced, healthy life, we need to be able to step back from our impulses and look at them objectively, to find a way to integrate our emotional and intellectual selves.
Another interpretation is that Dickinson is suggesting that there are no easy answers to life's big questions, that poetry can help us to ask better questions but can't provide us with easy solutions. To live a meaningful life, we need to be willing to grapple with the big questions, to explore the depths of our own hearts and minds.
And yet another interpretation is that Dickinson is suggesting that sometimes we need to renounce the highs and lows of human experience altogether, to find a middle ground where we can be safe and secure. This interpretation is perhaps the most pessimistic, suggesting that life is inherently dangerous and that the best we can do is to try to find a way to live with as little risk as possible.
But whatever interpretation we choose, one thing is clear: Dickinson's poetry continues to speak to us today, more than a century after she wrote it. Her work reminds us of the power and beauty of language, of the importance of asking big questions, and of the dangers and joys of living a fully realized life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Peril as a Possession: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic
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, "Poetry Peril as a Possession," is a powerful exploration of the nature of poetry and its impact on the human soul. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "Poetry is a perilous possession." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson immediately establishes that poetry is not something to be taken lightly. The word "perilous" suggests danger and risk, and it implies that poetry has the power to affect us deeply, perhaps even to the point of harm.
The next line, "It absorbs the individual and reveals him to himself," further emphasizes the transformative power of poetry. Dickinson suggests that poetry has the ability to draw out our innermost thoughts and feelings, and to reveal aspects of ourselves that we may not have been aware of before. This idea is echoed in the following lines, which describe poetry as a "mirror" that reflects our true selves back to us.
The poem then takes a more ominous turn, as Dickinson warns that poetry can also be a "dangerous friend." This line suggests that poetry can be both helpful and harmful, depending on how we approach it. If we allow ourselves to become too absorbed in poetry, it can become a kind of addiction, leading us down a dangerous path.
The next few lines of the poem describe the physical and emotional effects of poetry. Dickinson writes that poetry can "seize upon the heart and brain," causing us to feel both joy and pain. This line suggests that poetry has the power to affect us on a deep emotional level, and that it can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.
The final lines of the poem offer a kind of resolution, as Dickinson suggests that poetry can ultimately lead us to a place of greater understanding and self-awareness. She writes that poetry can "lead us to heaven," suggesting that it has the power to elevate us and bring us closer to a higher power.
Overall, "Poetry Peril as a Possession" is a powerful exploration of the nature of poetry and its impact on the human soul. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem captures the transformative power of poetry and the ways in which it can both help and harm us. By the end of the poem, Dickinson suggests that poetry can ultimately lead us to a place of greater understanding and enlightenment, making it a truly valuable possession.
Symbolism and Significance
One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry Peril as a Possession" is its use of symbolism. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey the power and impact of poetry.
One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the idea of poetry as a mirror. Dickinson suggests that poetry has the ability to reflect our true selves back to us, revealing aspects of ourselves that we may not have been aware of before. This idea is reinforced by the line, "It shows us ourselves, and the world as well." By using the image of a mirror, Dickinson emphasizes the idea that poetry can help us to see ourselves more clearly and to gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world.
Another important symbol in the poem is the idea of poetry as a dangerous friend. This image suggests that poetry can be both helpful and harmful, depending on how we approach it. If we allow ourselves to become too absorbed in poetry, it can become a kind of addiction, leading us down a dangerous path. This idea is reinforced by the line, "It is a dangerous friend," which suggests that poetry can be both alluring and dangerous.
Finally, the poem's use of the image of heaven is also significant. Dickinson suggests that poetry can ultimately lead us to a place of greater understanding and enlightenment, bringing us closer to a higher power. This idea is reinforced by the line, "It leads us to heaven," which suggests that poetry has the power to elevate us and bring us closer to a divine presence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry Peril as a Possession" is a powerful exploration of the nature of poetry and its impact on the human soul. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem captures the transformative power of poetry and the ways in which it can both help and harm us. By the end of the poem, Dickinson suggests that poetry can ultimately lead us to a place of greater understanding and enlightenment, making it a truly valuable possession.
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