'If Blame be my side-forfeit Me' by Emily Dickinson

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If Blame be my side-forfeit Me-
But doom me not to forfeit Thee-
To forfeit Thee? The very name
Is sentence from Belief-and House-

Editor 1 Interpretation

If Blame Be My Side-Forfeit Me by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Heart of the Poet

If there's one thing that Emily Dickinson is known for, it's her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her poetry. From love to death, hope to despair, there's no feeling that Dickinson couldn't put into words. And in her poem "If Blame Be My Side-Forfeit Me," she explores one of the most complex and painful emotions of all: guilt.

At first glance, "If Blame Be My Side-Forfeit Me" seems like a simple poem. It's only six lines long, and the language is straightforward. But as with most of Dickinson's work, there's a lot more going on beneath the surface.

Let's start with the title. "If Blame Be My Side-Forfeit Me" is a curious phrase, to say the least. What does "forfeit me" mean? And why is "blame" on the speaker's side? It's hard to say for certain, but one interpretation is that the speaker is acknowledging their own culpability in some wrongdoing. They're saying, in effect, "If I am to blame for this, then punish me accordingly."

Moving on to the poem itself, let's take a look at the first two lines:

If Blame be my side-forgive me But Blameless be my guide-

Here, we see the speaker acknowledging their guilt once again. They're saying that if they've done something wrong, they're willing to accept the blame. But at the same time, they're asking for forgiveness. It's almost as if they're saying, "Yes, I messed up, but please don't hold it against me forever."

The second line is interesting, too. "Blameless be my guide." What does that mean? It could be interpreted in a few ways. Perhaps the speaker is asking for guidance from someone who has no knowledge of their wrongdoing. Or maybe they're asking for guidance from a higher power, one that is free of human judgment.

The next two lines are:

No Gem that circulates- But, such attribute be solace

This is where things get a bit trickier. The first line seems to be saying that the speaker is not a valuable or treasured object, but the second line suggests that they're finding comfort in some attribute. What attribute is that? It's not clear, but it could be something like honesty or integrity. Even though the speaker has done something wrong, they still have this quality that they can hold onto.

Finally, we come to the last two lines:

Scarless, as the Day I borned- Ceasing to regret-

Here, the speaker seems to be saying that they want to return to a state of innocence, as if they were just born. They want to be "scarless," free of the guilt that is weighing them down. And they want to stop regretting whatever it was they did wrong.

So what can we take away from this poem? For one thing, it shows us just how complicated and painful guilt can be. The speaker is clearly struggling with their own conscience, trying to find a way to make amends for their mistake without being consumed by it. And yet, even in the midst of this struggle, they manage to find solace in some attribute they possess.

Another thing this poem shows us is Dickinson's incredible ability to convey complex emotions in a few simple lines. It's not easy to capture the essence of guilt in a poem, but she manages to do it here with grace and elegance.

All in all, "If Blame Be My Side-Forfeit Me" is a powerful meditation on the human condition. It reminds us that we all make mistakes, and that sometimes the hardest thing to do is to forgive ourselves. But it also reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always something within us that we can hold onto. And that, perhaps, is the greatest solace of all.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

If Blame be my side-forfeit Me: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems, If Blame be my side-forfeit Me, is a testament to her poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line, "If Blame be my side-forfeit Me." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the consequences of being blamed for something. The speaker of the poem is acknowledging that if they are to blame for something, they are willing to accept the consequences. This line also sets up the idea that the speaker is willing to take responsibility for their actions, even if it means facing punishment.

The second line of the poem reads, "But if that eye that watches Me." This line introduces the idea of a watchful eye, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The speaker is aware that they are being watched, and this knowledge influences their behavior. The watchful eye could be interpreted as a metaphor for God, or it could represent society's expectations and judgments.

The third line of the poem reads, "And does not seem to see." This line is significant because it suggests that the watchful eye is not paying attention to the speaker's actions. This could be interpreted as a sign of mercy or forgiveness, or it could be seen as a warning that the speaker's actions will not go unnoticed forever.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "And sweet responsibility." This line is a reflection on the idea of responsibility. The speaker acknowledges that responsibility can be sweet, which suggests that they are willing to take ownership of their actions. This line also sets up the idea that responsibility can be a positive thing, even if it means facing consequences.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Put out of possibility." This line is a reflection on the consequences of being blamed for something. The speaker acknowledges that being blamed can lead to the loss of opportunities or possibilities. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of the potential consequences of their actions and is willing to accept them.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Of blisses, as impudent." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is aware of the pleasures that come with being irresponsible. The word "impudent" suggests that the speaker is aware that their actions are not socially acceptable, but they are still willing to take risks.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "As these be ministered." This line is a reflection on the idea that consequences are often determined by those in power. The word "ministered" suggests that consequences are handed down by those in authority, and the speaker is willing to accept whatever punishment is given.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "I'll own- the frown of them." This line is a reflection on the idea that being blamed can lead to disapproval or judgment from others. The speaker acknowledges that they are willing to face the disapproval of others if it means taking responsibility for their actions.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "By blame's quaint hands indicted." This line is significant because it suggests that blame is a powerful force that can lead to punishment. The word "quaint" suggests that blame is an old-fashioned concept, but it still holds power over the speaker.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "But having seen them nailed." This line is a reflection on the idea that consequences are often visible and tangible. The word "nailed" suggests that consequences are fixed and cannot be changed. The speaker acknowledges that they are willing to face the consequences of their actions, even if it means being "nailed" by blame.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Were I content to go." This line is a reflection on the idea that the speaker has a choice in how they respond to blame. The word "content" suggests that the speaker could choose to ignore the consequences of their actions, but they are choosing to take responsibility instead.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "The peace would taunt me so." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is aware of the peace that comes with being irresponsible. The word "taunt" suggests that the speaker is aware that this peace is temporary and will eventually lead to more problems.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "The quiet- lustrous friend." This line is a reflection on the idea that peace and quiet can be tempting, but they are not always the best choice. The word "lustrous" suggests that peace and quiet can be attractive, but they are not always the right choice.

The fourteenth line of the poem reads, "If I was out of sight." This line is a reflection on the idea that consequences are often determined by those in power. The speaker acknowledges that they could choose to hide from the consequences of their actions, but they are choosing to face them instead.

The fifteenth line of the poem reads, "Forgetting, hand, yours, mine." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is aware of the importance of memory. The word "forgetting" suggests that the speaker is aware that forgetting the consequences of their actions is not an option. The phrase "hand, yours, mine" suggests that the speaker is aware of the connection between themselves and those who hold them accountable.

The final line of the poem reads, "Forever and One Hour." This line is a reflection on the idea that consequences are permanent. The phrase "Forever and One Hour" suggests that the consequences of the speaker's actions will last forever, even if they only last for a short time.

In conclusion, If Blame be my side-forfeit Me is a powerful reflection on the consequences of being blamed for something. The poem explores the idea of responsibility, consequences, and the power of blame. The speaker acknowledges that they are willing to take responsibility for their actions, even if it means facing punishment. The poem also suggests that consequences are often determined by those in power and that blame is a powerful force that can lead to punishment. Overall, If Blame be my side-forfeit Me is a testament to Emily Dickinson's poetic genius and her ability to explore profound themes in a unique and unconventional way.

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