'A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork' by Emily Dickinson
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A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork
Without a Revery-
And so encountering a Fly
This January Day
Jamaicas of Remembrance stir
That send me reeling in-
The moderate drinker of Delight
Does not deserve the spring-
Of juleps, part are the Jug
And more are in the joy-
Your connoisseur in Liquours
Consults the Bumble Bee-
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork: A Study on Emily Dickinson's Poetic Technique
Emily Dickinson is known for her unconventional style of writing poetry. Her poems are often characterized by their unique use of punctuation, syntax, and meter. In her poem, "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork," Dickinson employs all these techniques to create a work that is both playful and profound.
The Poem
A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork Without a Revery And so encountering a Fly This January Day Jamaicas of Remembrance stir That send me reeling in The moderate drinker of Delight Does not deserve the spring!
The poem is composed of four quatrains with an ABCB rhyme scheme. In the first stanza, Dickinson sets up the central image of the poem: a drunkard unable to meet a cork without falling into a reverie. The second stanza introduces a new image: encountering a fly on a January day brings back memories of Jamaica, which send the speaker reeling in. The third stanza compares the drunkard's response to the cork to the moderate drinker's response to delight. The final stanza makes a clear statement: the moderate drinker does not deserve the spring.
Analysis
Syntax
One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of syntax. In "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork," she employs short, choppy sentences to create a sense of fragmentation and disorientation. The first two lines of the poem, for example, are each composed of a single independent clause. The result is a staccato rhythm that mirrors the speaker's disorienting experience.
Punctuation
Dickinson's use of punctuation is equally significant. She often employs dashes to create pauses and shifts in meaning. In "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork," she uses dashes to separate the different images in the poem. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:
Jamaicas of Remembrance stir That send me reeling in
The dash after "stir" creates a pause that emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the speaker's emotional response.
Meter
Finally, Dickinson's use of meter is notable for its irregularity. While the poem has a clear rhyme scheme, the meter varies from line to line. In the first stanza, for example, the first line is composed of five stressed syllables, while the second line has only four. This creates a sense of instability that mirrors the speaker's disorientation.
Interpretation
What does the poem mean? Like much of Dickinson's work, "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork" is open to interpretation. One possible reading is that the poem is an allegory for the dangers of excess. The drunkard's inability to meet a cork without falling into a reverie suggests that he is unable to control his impulses. The image of the fly and the memories of Jamaica further emphasize the destructive power of indulgence.
At the same time, the poem can also be read as a celebration of the joys of excess. The phrase "Jamaicas of Remembrance" suggests that the speaker's memories of indulgence are themselves a source of pleasure. The final stanza, in which the moderate drinker "does not deserve the spring," can be read as a wry commentary on the limitations of moderation.
Conclusion
In "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork," Emily Dickinson employs her signature techniques of syntax, punctuation, and meter to create a work that is both playful and profound. The poem's central image of the drunkard unable to meet a cork without falling into a reverie can be read as a cautionary tale or a celebration of excess. Whatever the interpretation, "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork" is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to create works that are simultaneously complex and accessible.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson's poem, "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork," is a classic example of her unique style of poetry. In just six lines, Dickinson manages to convey a powerful message about the dangers of addiction and the importance of self-control. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to use language in a way that is both simple and profound.
The poem begins with the line, "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork." At first glance, this line may seem confusing or even nonsensical. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Dickinson is using the word "cork" as a metaphor for self-control. Just as a cork is used to keep a bottle sealed, self-control is used to keep one's impulses in check.
The second line of the poem, "Without a mutual shock," further emphasizes the importance of self-control. The phrase "mutual shock" suggests that both the drunkard and the cork must be equally strong in order to prevent the bottle from breaking. In other words, if the drunkard lacks self-control, he will be unable to resist the temptation to drink, and the cork will be unable to keep him from doing so.
The third line of the poem, "Nor can the Deity Himself," introduces a religious element to the poem. Dickinson suggests that even God cannot force someone to have self-control. This line is particularly powerful because it implies that self-control is a choice that must be made by the individual. It cannot be imposed from the outside.
The fourth line of the poem, "Expose without a frown," suggests that the consequences of addiction are not always immediately apparent. Just as a bottle may appear intact even if the cork is weak, an addict may appear to be functioning normally even if their addiction is causing them harm. However, the phrase "without a frown" also suggests that there is a sense of disapproval or judgment associated with addiction. This line implies that addiction is not something to be taken lightly.
The fifth line of the poem, "When two that cannot meet," reinforces the idea that addiction and self-control are incompatible. Just as two objects that cannot physically meet cannot coexist, addiction and self-control cannot coexist within the same person. This line suggests that addiction is a force that must be reckoned with, and that it cannot be ignored or denied.
The final line of the poem, "Nor he that has the worst," is perhaps the most powerful of all. This line suggests that addiction is not a competition, and that there are no winners or losers when it comes to addiction. Whether one is a drunkard or a cork, both are ultimately affected by addiction. This line also suggests that addiction is not a moral failing, but rather a human failing. It is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Overall, "A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of addiction and self-control. Through her use of metaphor and language, Emily Dickinson is able to convey a complex message in just six lines. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in her writing.
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