'I had been hungry, all the Years' by Emily Dickinson
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I had been hungry, all the Years-
My Noon had Come-to dine-
I trembling drew the Table near-
And touched the Curious Wine-'Twas this on Tables I had seen-
When turning, hungry, Home
I looked in Windows, for the Wealth
I could not hope-for Mine-I did not know the ample Bread-
'Twas so unlike the Crumb
The Birds and I, had often shared
In Nature's-Dining Room-The Plenty hurt me-'twas so new-
Myself felt ill-and odd-
As Berry-of a Mountain Bush-
Transplanted-to a Road-Nor was I hungry-so I found
That Hunger-was a way
Of Persons outside Windows-
The Entering-takes away-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Hunger for Life in Emily Dickinson's "I had been hungry, all the Years"
Emily Dickinson was a poet who lived a solitary life in Amherst, Massachusetts. Despite her reclusive nature, she wrote over 1800 poems, many of which were published posthumously. One of her most powerful works is "I had been hungry, all the Years," a poem that speaks to the universal human desire for connection and fulfillment.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "I had been hungry, all the Years." This hunger is not for food, but for something deeper, something that cannot be satisfied by material possessions or physical pleasures. Dickinson uses the metaphor of hunger to convey a sense of longing that goes beyond the physical realm.
The hunger in the poem is not just for any kind of connection or fulfillment, but for something specific: "At first, I thought it was for Fame." Dickinson recognizes that many people believe that fame and success will bring them the happiness and fulfillment they seek. However, she quickly realizes that this is not the case. Even though she achieves some level of fame through her poetry, she is still hungry, still unsatisfied.
The hunger persists, even as Dickinson tries to satisfy it with other things. She writes, "But as my Hunger, sharpened, more – / I could not deem the Years – / nor yet the Sun – suffice to me – / Nor Hymn – nor Hearse." Here, Dickinson acknowledges that she has tried to satisfy her hunger with various things – time, the sun, music, and even death – but none of these things are enough.
But what is this hunger that Dickinson is speaking of? It is the hunger for life, for connection, for love. As she writes in the final stanza, "So I am sitting here, with Me – / And all my Hunger – on." Here, Dickinson recognizes that the only way to truly satisfy this hunger is through connection with others. But even as she sits alone, she is still hungry, still searching for that connection.
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Dickinson uses language to convey her message. The repetition of the word "hunger" throughout the poem emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's desire. The use of the word "Years" in the first line of the poem also adds a sense of weight and timelessness to the speaker's hunger. Additionally, the use of enjambment – the continuation of a sentence or clause from one line of poetry to the next – adds a sense of urgency and momentum to the poem.
Another interesting aspect of this poem is the way that it speaks to universal human experiences. While Dickinson is writing about her own personal hunger, the message of the poem is one that can resonate with anyone who has ever felt unsatisfied or unfulfilled. The hunger for connection and meaning is something that all humans experience at some point in their lives, and Dickinson's poem captures this feeling in a powerful and relatable way.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "I had been hungry, all the Years" is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal human desire for connection and fulfillment. Through her use of language and metaphor, Dickinson conveys the intensity and persistence of this hunger, as well as its ultimate source: the desire for love and connection with others. While the poem is deeply personal to Dickinson, it speaks to experiences that are common to all humans, making it a timeless and deeply resonant work of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "I had been hungry, all the Years" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human longing and desire for fulfillment. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall impact of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line "I had been hungry, all the Years." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the central theme of hunger. However, this hunger is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual. The speaker is not just hungry for food but also for love, companionship, and fulfillment. This hunger has been a constant presence in the speaker's life, and it has shaped their worldview.
The second line of the poem, "My noon had come, to dine," is a metaphor for the speaker's life. The noon represents the midpoint of life, and the speaker has reached this point without having their hunger satisfied. The use of the word "dine" is significant as it implies a sense of luxury and indulgence. However, the speaker has not had the opportunity to indulge in the things they desire.
The third line of the poem, "I, trembling, drew the table near," is a powerful image that conveys the speaker's desperation. The use of the word "trembling" suggests that the speaker is anxious and fearful. The act of drawing the table near is an attempt to bring the things they desire closer to them. However, the speaker is still unable to satisfy their hunger.
The fourth line of the poem, "And touched the curious wine," is a metaphor for the speaker's attempt to find fulfillment. The wine represents the things the speaker desires, and they are curious about it because they have never experienced it before. However, the speaker is only able to touch the wine, and they are still unable to satisfy their hunger.
The fifth line of the poem, "And begged, and begged divine," is a plea to a higher power for fulfillment. The speaker is aware that they cannot satisfy their hunger on their own, and they need divine intervention. The use of the word "begged" suggests that the speaker is desperate and willing to do anything to find fulfillment.
The sixth line of the poem, "Just when the second course was done," is a turning point in the poem. The second course represents the things the speaker has tried to find fulfillment in, but they have been unsuccessful. The use of the word "done" suggests that the speaker has given up on these things.
The seventh line of the poem, "My heart, stopped beating, for," is a powerful image that conveys the speaker's despair. The use of the word "stopped" suggests that the speaker has lost all hope. The word "for" implies that there is a reason for the speaker's despair, but it is not revealed in the poem.
The eighth line of the poem, "At length, arrived the guest," is a metaphor for the arrival of fulfillment. The guest represents the things the speaker has been longing for, and their arrival brings an end to the speaker's hunger.
The ninth line of the poem, "It was a fairy feast," is a metaphor for the fulfillment the speaker has found. The use of the word "fairy" suggests that the fulfillment is magical and otherworldly. The word "feast" implies that the speaker has indulged in the things they desire.
The tenth line of the poem, "The daring stars, my banquet," is a metaphor for the speaker's newfound happiness. The stars represent the things the speaker has always desired, and they are now within reach. The use of the word "daring" suggests that the speaker has taken a risk to find fulfillment.
The eleventh line of the poem, "The foreign feast, I ate," is a metaphor for the speaker's willingness to try new things. The use of the word "foreign" suggests that the speaker has stepped out of their comfort zone to find fulfillment. The word "ate" implies that the speaker has fully indulged in the things they desire.
The final line of the poem, "What banquet, by the way," is a rhetorical question that conveys the speaker's sense of satisfaction. The use of the word "banquet" suggests that the speaker has found fulfillment beyond their wildest dreams. The question implies that the speaker is content and does not need anything else.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in metaphors and imagery. The use of metaphors helps to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts in a powerful way. The imagery is vivid and helps to create a sense of longing and despair.
The poem's impact is significant as it captures the essence of human longing and desire for fulfillment. The poem speaks to anyone who has ever felt unfulfilled and longed for something more. The poem's message is timeless and resonates with readers even today.
In conclusion, "I had been hungry, all the Years" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human longing and desire for fulfillment. The poem's use of metaphors and imagery is powerful and helps to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts in a vivid way. The poem's impact is significant, and it continues to resonate with readers even today.
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