'Her face was in a bed of hair' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1722Her face was in a bed of hair,
Like flowers in a plot-
Her hand was whiter than the sperm
That feeds the sacred light.
Her tongue more tender than the tune
That totters in the leaves-
Who hears may be incredulous,
Who witnesses, believes.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty and Mystery of Emily Dickinson's "Her face was in a bed of hair"
Emily Dickinson is one of America's most celebrated poets, known for her unique style and lyrical expression. Among her many works, "Her face was in a bed of hair" stands out as a hauntingly beautiful and enigmatic poem that continues to captivate readers to this day.
The Poem
Before diving into an interpretation of the poem, let us first take a look at the text itself.
Her face was in a bed of hair,
Like flowers in a plot --
Her hand was whiter than the sperm
That feeds the sacred light --
Her tongue more tender than the tune
That totters in the leaves --
Who hears may be incredulous,
Who witnesses, believes --
Then, lest she stir this summer’s day,
Let others bear the strife --
Her soul was built for pleasure,
And pleasure is its life.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a description of a woman's physical attributes. We are told that her face is buried in a "bed of hair," and that her hand is "whiter than the sperm." These comparisons may seem odd or even grotesque to modern readers, but they serve to create a sense of otherworldliness and mystery that is characteristic of Dickinson's work.
As the poem progresses, however, we begin to see that there is more to this woman than her physical appearance. Her tongue is "more tender than the tune / That totters in the leaves," suggesting that she possesses a certain musicality or sensitivity. And the final lines of the poem suggest that she is a hedonistic individual, living for pleasure above all else.
But what does it all mean? Let us explore some possible interpretations.
The Interpretation
One possible reading of "Her face was in a bed of hair" is that it is a meditation on the relationship between body and soul. The physical description of the woman in the first stanza is juxtaposed with the more emotional and abstract language of the second stanza, suggesting that there is more to her than meets the eye.
The line "Her tongue more tender than the tune / That totters in the leaves" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the woman possesses a certain musicality or sensitivity that cannot be conveyed through physical description alone. This could be seen as a commentary on the limitations of the body, and the idea that there is something deeper and more profound within us that cannot be expressed through physical means.
The final lines of the poem, which suggest that the woman's soul is "built for pleasure," could be read as a celebration of the physical world and its pleasures. This would be consistent with Dickinson's broader themes of nature, beauty, and the senses. However, it could also be seen as a critique of a society that values pleasure above all else, and the toll that this can take on the soul.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the limitations of language itself. The comparisons in the first stanza are strange and seemingly nonsensical, yet they create a vivid and striking image. This could be seen as a reflection of the inadequacy of language to fully capture the complexity of human experience.
The final lines, which suggest that the woman's soul is "built for pleasure," could be seen as a challenge to the reader to look beyond the surface level of the poem and consider what lies beneath. The idea that pleasure is the woman's "life" could be seen as a metaphor for the idea that there is more to life than what can be expressed in words alone.
Ultimately, the beauty and mystery of "Her face was in a bed of hair" lies in its enigmatic quality. Like many of Dickinson's poems, it is open to a variety of interpretations and invites readers to engage with it on a deeper level. Whether read as a meditation on the relationship between body and soul, a critique of a pleasure-obsessed society, or a commentary on the limitations of language, the poem remains a testament to Dickinson's unique and enduring talent.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in American literature, and her work has been celebrated for its unique style and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems, "Her face was in a bed of hair," is a haunting and evocative piece that explores themes of beauty, mortality, and the power of nature.
At its core, "Her face was in a bed of hair" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death. The poem opens with a vivid description of a woman's face, which is "in a bed of hair" that is "like flowers." This image is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that the woman's beauty is fragile and ephemeral, like a flower that will wither and die.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson explores the idea of beauty as a kind of illusion or deception. She writes that the woman's face is "like a veil," which suggests that it is hiding something or obscuring the truth. This idea is reinforced by the image of the hair as a "bed," which implies that the woman's beauty is something that she is lying in, rather than something that is inherent to her.
Despite this sense of transience and impermanence, however, Dickinson also suggests that there is something powerful and enduring about the natural world. She writes that the woman's hair is "like flowers," which implies that it is a part of the natural world and subject to its laws. This idea is reinforced by the image of the hair as a "bed," which suggests that the woman is lying in a kind of natural cocoon.
Ultimately, then, "Her face was in a bed of hair" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of nature, even as it acknowledges the transience and fragility of human beauty. It is a reminder that we are all subject to the same laws of nature, and that our beauty and our mortality are inextricably linked.
In terms of its style and structure, "Her face was in a bed of hair" is a classic example of Dickinson's unique poetic voice. The poem is written in her trademark short, staccato lines, which give it a sense of urgency and intensity. This style is particularly effective in conveying the sense of transience and fragility that is at the heart of the poem, as it creates a sense of movement and impermanence.
At the same time, however, Dickinson's use of language is also highly evocative and richly symbolic. The image of the hair as a "bed" is particularly powerful, as it suggests both comfort and confinement, safety and suffocation. Similarly, the image of the hair as "flowers" is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that the woman's beauty is both natural and artificial, both a part of her and something that she has constructed.
Overall, then, "Her face was in a bed of hair" is a haunting and evocative poem that explores some of the most profound themes in literature. It is a testament to Dickinson's unique poetic voice and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few short lines. Whether read as a meditation on beauty, mortality, or the power of nature, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who encounters it.
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