'This Merit hath the worst' by Emily Dickinson

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This Merit hath the worst-
It cannot be again-
When Fate hath taunted last
And thrown Her furthest Stone-The Maimed may pause, and breathe,
And glance securely round-
The Deer attracts no further
Than it resists-the Hound-

Editor 1 Interpretation

This Merit hath the worst: A Literary Criticism of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Exciting news, folks! We're about to embark on a literary journey into the world of Emily Dickinson's poetry. And what better place to start than with her classic poem "This Merit hath the worst"?

First things first, let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer brilliance of the title. "This Merit hath the worst" - what does that even mean? It's so enigmatic and intriguing that we can't help but be drawn in.

But now let's dig deeper into the poem itself. At first glance, it may seem like a simple statement - "This merit hath the worst - It cannot be again." But as we read on, we realize that there is so much more going on beneath the surface.

One of the key themes that Dickinson is exploring in this poem is the idea of loss and the impermanence of things. She starts off by talking about "merit" - something that is valuable and worthy of praise. But then she immediately turns it on its head by saying that this very same merit "cannot be again".

This is a powerful statement because it speaks to the idea that even the things we value the most are fleeting and temporary. No matter how much we may want to hold onto them, they will eventually slip away from us.

But Dickinson doesn't just leave it at that. She goes on to say that this loss - this inability to preserve what we hold dear - is actually the worst thing of all. And here's where the poem gets really interesting.

Dickinson writes:

"The heart asks pleasure first, And then, excuse from pain; And then, those little anodynes That deaden suffering;

And then, to go to sleep; And then, if it should be The will of its Inquisitor, The liberty to die."

What's going on here? At first, it may seem like Dickinson is shifting gears and talking about something totally different. But in fact, she's digging deeper into the theme of loss and impermanence.

The heart, she says, seeks pleasure and tries to avoid pain. It seeks out ways to deaden its suffering - to find solace in the little things. But ultimately, its ultimate goal is to find peace and release from the pain of existence.

And yet, even this release is not guaranteed. The "Inquisitor" - whoever or whatever that may be - may not grant the heart the liberty to die. And so even in death, there is no escape from the impermanence of things.

This is a heavy and complex theme, and Dickinson handles it with incredible skill and nuance. She doesn't just state the theme outright, but rather weaves it into the fabric of the poem itself.

But there's more to this poem than just its themes. Let's talk about its form for a moment. Dickinson is known for her unconventional approach to poetry - her use of slant rhyme, her unconventional punctuation, her tendency to eschew traditional forms.

And "This Merit hath the worst" is no exception. The poem is composed of six quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. But even within this traditional form, Dickinson plays with the pattern.

For example, in the first quatrain, the first and third lines have three stressed syllables each, while the second and fourth lines have four. This creates a sense of imbalance and tension that mirrors the theme of impermanence and loss.

And then there's the punctuation. Dickinson's use of dashes is famously idiosyncratic, and "This Merit hath the worst" is no exception. The dashes serve to disrupt the flow of the poem, to create pauses and hesitations that force the reader to slow down and pay closer attention.

In short, Dickinson's form and structure are just as important to the poem as its themes and message. She's using every tool at her disposal to create a work of art that is as complex and multifaceted as life itself.

So what can we take away from "This Merit hath the worst"? At its core, this poem is a meditation on loss, impermanence, and the pain of existence. It's a reminder that even the things we value the most will eventually slip away from us, and that there is no escaping the ultimate fate of death.

But even in the midst of this darkness, there is beauty and complexity. Dickinson's use of form and language creates a work of art that is as rich and layered as life itself. And that's the true merit of this poem - it captures the essence of what it means to be human in all its complexity, beauty, and pain.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and convey messages in a unique way. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master of this art. Her poem "This Merit hath the worst" is a perfect example of her ability to use language to create powerful imagery and convey complex ideas.

The poem begins with the line "This Merit hath the worst," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "merit" suggests something that is deserving of praise or recognition, but the phrase "hath the worst" implies that there is something negative or undesirable about it. This contrast creates a sense of tension and intrigue, drawing the reader in to find out more.

As the poem continues, Dickinson uses a series of metaphors to explore the idea of merit and its relationship to success and failure. She compares merit to a "bubble" that can burst at any moment, and to a "star" that can shine brightly one moment and fade away the next. These metaphors suggest that merit is a fleeting and fragile thing, and that success and failure are often determined by factors beyond our control.

The poem also touches on the idea of envy and jealousy, which can often arise when one person's merit is recognized and another's is not. Dickinson writes, "The beggarly Rich / That never felt a Crumb / The Poverty of Riches / Might be their only morsel." Here, she suggests that those who have achieved great success may still feel a sense of poverty or lack, while those who have less may be content with what they have. This idea challenges the traditional notion that success and wealth are the keys to happiness and fulfillment.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson's use of language is both simple and profound. She uses short, declarative sentences to convey her ideas, and her choice of words is often unexpected and surprising. For example, she describes merit as a "bubble" and a "star," rather than using more conventional metaphors like a ladder or a mountain. This use of unconventional language adds to the poem's sense of mystery and intrigue, and invites the reader to think deeply about the ideas it presents.

In conclusion, "This Merit hath the worst" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between merit, success, and happiness. Through her use of metaphors and unconventional language, Emily Dickinson challenges our assumptions about what it means to be successful and what truly brings us fulfillment in life. This poem is a testament to her skill as a poet and her ability to use language to create meaning and evoke emotion.

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