'Art thou the thing I wanted?' by Emily Dickinson

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Art thou the thing I wanted?
Begone-my Tooth has grown-
Supply the minor Palate
That has not starved so long-
I tell thee while I waited
The mystery of Food
Increased till I abjured it
And dine without Like God---Art thou the thing I wanted?
Begone-my Tooth has grown-
Affront a minor palate
Thou could'st not goad so long-I tell thee while I waited-
The mystery of Food
Increased till I abjured it
Subsisting now like God-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Art Thou the Thing I Wanted? by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet whose works were often characterized by her unwillingness to conform to traditional poetic norms. Her poem, "Poetry, Art Thou the Thing I Wanted?" is a prime example of her unique approach to poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem, as well as its significance within Dickinson's body of work.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in this poem is the idea of the elusive nature of poetry. Dickinson seems to be questioning whether or not poetry is truly what she desires, or if it is something that she has been conditioned to want. She writes, "I asked no other thing / No other was denied / I offered Being, for it was all / The debt was satisfied." Here, she seems to be saying that what she truly desires is simply to exist, and that poetry is just a means to that end.

Another theme that is present in this poem is the idea of the creative process. Dickinson suggests that poetry is not something that can be forced, but rather something that comes to the poet when it is ready. She writes, "Could I but ride indefinite / As doth the meadow-bee / And visit only where I liked / And no man visit me." Here, she is suggesting that the creative process is a natural, organic thing that cannot be controlled.

Imagery

Dickinson's use of imagery in this poem is particularly striking. She uses depictions of nature to illustrate her ideas about the creative process. For example, when she writes, "Could I but ride indefinite / As doth the meadow-bee," she is comparing the poet to a bee, which is free to roam wherever it likes, gathering nectar from the flowers. This image suggests that the poet should be free to explore their own creativity without any external constraints.

Another powerful image in this poem is that of the sea. Dickinson writes, "The sailor cannot see the North / But knows the needle can." Here, she is suggesting that the poet may not always be able to see the path ahead, but they can trust in their own creative instincts to guide them. The sea is a powerful symbol of uncertainty and change, and Dickinson uses it to underscore the idea that the creative process is a journey into the unknown.

Language

The language used in this poem is simple and direct, but the imagery and metaphors that Dickinson employs give it a deeper meaning. She uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize her points, such as when she writes, "I asked no other thing / No other was denied." This repetition adds a sense of urgency and importance to her words.

Another interesting aspect of the language in this poem is the use of rhetorical questions. Dickinson asks, "Poetry, art thou then the bird / That overtops the roof?" and "Or, haply, does the mind / See through the eye?" These questions are not meant to be answered, but rather to provoke thought and contemplation in the reader.

Significance

"Poetry, Art Thou the Thing I Wanted?" is a significant poem within Dickinson's body of work because it reflects her unique approach to poetry. She was not interested in conforming to traditional poetic norms, and this poem is a testament to her individuality as a poet. It also speaks to the larger human experience of seeking meaning and purpose in life.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Poetry, Art Thou the Thing I Wanted?" is a powerful meditation on the nature of creativity and the human desire for self-expression. Through her use of imagery, language, and themes, Dickinson offers a distinctive and thought-provoking perspective on the role of poetry in our lives. This poem is a testament to her enduring legacy as one of America's most innovative and influential poets.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, thoughts, and feelings in its readers. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master of this art. Her poem "Art thou the thing I wanted?" is a perfect example of her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in a few lines of verse.

The poem begins with a question, "Art thou the thing I wanted?" This question sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately draws the reader in. The speaker is questioning whether the object of their desire is truly what they wanted. This question is one that many people can relate to, as we often find ourselves questioning whether the things we desire are truly what we want.

The next line of the poem, "Begone, my tooth has grown," is a metaphor for the speaker's desire. The tooth represents the speaker's desire, and it has grown to the point where it is causing them pain. This metaphor is a powerful one, as it shows how our desires can become all-consuming and even painful.

The third line of the poem, "Be with me, my toy," is a plea from the speaker to their desire. They are asking their desire to stay with them, even though it is causing them pain. This line is a reflection of the human condition, as we often hold onto things that are causing us pain because we believe that they will bring us happiness in the end.

The fourth line of the poem, "Come quick, you are slow," is a contradiction. The speaker is asking their desire to come quickly, but they are also acknowledging that it is slow. This contradiction is a reflection of the speaker's conflicting emotions. They want their desire to come quickly, but they also know that it will take time.

The fifth line of the poem, "Art thou the thing I dreamed?" is a continuation of the first line. The speaker is still questioning whether their desire is truly what they wanted. This line is a reflection of the human condition, as we often dream of things that we believe will bring us happiness, only to find that they do not.

The sixth line of the poem, "Not love, thou are too high," is a rejection of the idea that the speaker's desire is love. They believe that their desire is too high, too unattainable, to be love. This line is a reflection of the human condition, as we often desire things that we believe are unattainable.

The seventh line of the poem, "For thee, alone, I sigh," is a declaration of the speaker's love for their desire. They are willing to endure the pain that it is causing them because they love it so much. This line is a reflection of the human condition, as we often love things that are not good for us.

The eighth line of the poem, "Has thou a thing for me?" is a question from the speaker to their desire. They are asking whether their desire has anything to offer them in return. This line is a reflection of the human condition, as we often desire things that do not offer us anything in return.

The ninth line of the poem, "O, elusive one, thy face I seek," is a plea from the speaker to their desire. They are searching for their desire, but it is elusive, always just out of reach. This line is a reflection of the human condition, as we often search for things that are difficult to find.

The final line of the poem, "Art thou the thing I wanted?" is a repetition of the first line. The speaker is still questioning whether their desire is truly what they wanted. This repetition is a powerful one, as it shows how our desires can consume us and leave us questioning whether they were truly what we wanted.

In conclusion, "Art thou the thing I wanted?" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of human desire and the conflicting emotions that it can evoke. Emily Dickinson's use of metaphor, contradiction, and repetition creates a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and thoughts in its readers, and it is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet.

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