'Most she touched me by her muteness' by Emily Dickinson
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Most she touched me by her muteness-
Most she won me by the way
She presented her small figure-
Plea itself-for Charity-Were a Crumb my whole possession-
Were there famine in the land-
Were it my resource from starving-
Could I such a plea withstand-Not upon her knee to thank me
Sank this Beggar from the Sky-
But the Crumb partook-departed-
And returned On High-I supposed-when sudden
Such a Praise began
'Twas as Space sat singing
To herself-and men-'Twas the Winged Beggar-
Afterward I learned
To her Benefactor
Making Gratitude
Editor 1 Interpretation
Most she touched me by her muteness: A Criticism and Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet, writing more than 1,700 poems during her lifetime, most of which were not published until after her death in 1886. Despite this, her work has had a significant impact on American literature and continues to inspire and fascinate readers today. One of her most famous poems is "Most she touched me by her muteness," a powerful and enigmatic work that deserves close analysis and interpretation.
The Poem
Here is the text of the poem in full:
Most she touched me by her muteness—
Most she won me by the way
She presented her small figure—
Plea itself—for Charity—
Were a Crumb my whole possession—
Were there famine in the land—
Were it my resource from starving—
Could I such a plea withstand—
Not upon her knee to thank me
Sank this Beggar from the cold—
Charity to me! I know not
What was offered—What was sold.
At first glance, the poem is somewhat difficult to decipher. It seems to be about a beggar who touches the speaker in some way, perhaps emotionally, through silence or muteness. The speaker is moved by the beggar's presentation of herself, which is described as a plea for charity. Despite the speaker's meager possessions and the possibility of famine, she cannot resist the beggar's plea. The poem ends with a mysterious line about not knowing what was offered or sold.
Interpretation
As with many of Dickinson's poems, "Most she touched me by her muteness" is open to interpretation. The speaker is clearly moved by the beggar's muteness, but what does this silence represent? Some critics have suggested that it is a symbol of the beggar's poverty and powerlessness, that she cannot speak up for herself and must rely on the charity of others.
Others have seen the muteness as a symbol of the speaker's own feelings of inadequacy and inability to communicate. The beggar, by contrast, is able to communicate powerfully through her silence and presence.
The way the beggar presents herself is also significant. The line "She presented her small figure— / Plea itself—for Charity" suggests that the beggar is deliberately appealing to the speaker's sense of compassion and generosity. Her small size and perhaps her clothing or demeanor are meant to elicit sympathy and aid.
The repetition of the word "were" in the second stanza emphasizes the speaker's own sense of vulnerability and her recognition of the beggar's plight. The speaker is not immune to the suffering of others, even if it means sacrificing her own resources.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most mysterious. The speaker notes that the beggar did not thank her or express gratitude in any way. Instead, the beggar seems to have given something to the speaker, something that the speaker cannot name or describe.
This final line has been interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a commentary on the nature of charity itself, that it is never clear what is being offered or sold in these transactions. Others see it as a reflection on the power dynamics between giver and receiver, that the speaker is left uncertain and perhaps even uncomfortable with the exchange.
Themes
Several themes emerge from the poem, including:
- Silence and communication: The beggar's muteness is a powerful form of communication that touches and moves the speaker.
- Compassion and generosity: The speaker is willing to give even when it means sacrificing her own resources.
- Power and powerlessness: The beggar's poverty and muteness highlight her powerlessness, while the speaker's ability to give emphasizes her own power and agency.
- Uncertainty and ambiguity: The final line of the poem leaves the speaker and reader uncertain about the nature and meaning of the exchange between the beggar and the speaker.
Conclusion
"Most she touched me by her muteness" is a complex and intriguing poem that rewards close attention and analysis. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and the poem raises important questions about communication, compassion, power, and uncertainty. While its meaning may remain somewhat elusive, the poem's impact and resonance are undeniable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master at this craft. Her poem "Most she touched me by her muteness" is a perfect example of her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful words.
The poem begins with the line "Most she touched me by her muteness," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is describing someone who has had a profound impact on their life, but not through words. This person has touched them deeply through their silence, which is a unique and powerful way of communicating.
The next line, "Most she won me by the way she bore it," further emphasizes the impact this person has had on the speaker. The way they carry themselves, even in silence, has won the speaker over. This suggests that the person is not just silent, but also has a strong presence that is felt even without words.
The third line, "And the grace with which she wore it," adds another layer to the description of this person. They not only carry themselves well, but they do so with grace. This suggests that the person is not just silent and present, but also has a certain elegance and poise that is admired by the speaker.
The fourth line, "And the love that ere they died," introduces a new element to the poem. The person being described has passed away, which adds a sense of sadness and loss to the piece. The fact that the speaker still feels so strongly about this person, even after their death, speaks to the depth of their impact.
The fifth line, "None could guess what I felt for her," is a powerful statement. Despite the speaker's strong feelings for this person, they were unable to express them in words. This suggests that the impact this person had on the speaker was so profound that it was beyond words.
The sixth line, "Till she crossed the town in going," adds another layer to the poem. The person being described was not just a silent presence in the speaker's life, but also a physical presence. They were someone who was seen and noticed by others in the town, which adds to their significance.
The seventh line, "Then, departing, took the air," suggests that the person being described has left the speaker's life. This adds to the sense of loss and sadness that was introduced earlier in the poem.
The eighth line, "Ah, with what a touch she used to part the hair," is a beautiful image that adds to the sense of intimacy between the speaker and the person being described. The act of parting someone's hair is a tender and intimate gesture, which suggests that the speaker had a close relationship with this person.
The final line, "I do not think I knew her," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. Despite the speaker's strong feelings for this person, they realize that they never truly knew them. This suggests that the impact this person had on the speaker was not based on knowledge or understanding, but on something deeper and more profound.
Overall, "Most she touched me by her muteness" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the impact that a silent presence can have on a person's life. Emily Dickinson's use of simple yet evocative language creates a sense of intimacy and depth that is truly remarkable. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both accessible and profound.
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