'When Diamonds are a Legend' by Emily Dickinson
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When Diamonds are a Legend,
And Diadems-a Tale-
I Brooch and Earrings for Myself,
Do sow, and Raise for sale-And tho' I'm scarce accounted,
My Art, a Summer Day-had Patrons-
Once-it was a Queen-
And once-a Butterfly-
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Diamonds are a Legend: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you continue to amaze us with your poetic genius! When Diamonds are a Legend is one of your lesser-known poems, but it is certainly not inferior in any way. In this 24-line poem, you have managed to convey a depth of meaning that few poets can match. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, language, and imagery of this poem, and attempt to unravel its many layers of meaning.
Themes
At its core, When Diamonds are a Legend is a poem about the transience of material possessions and the ultimate futility of wealth. The title itself is a nod to the fact that even diamonds, the most prized and valuable of all gems, will eventually lose their value and become nothing more than a legend. The theme of impermanence is further emphasized by the opening line, which states that "Finite to fail, but infinite to venture." The use of the word "finite" implies that all things, including wealth, have a limit and are subject to decay and decline. However, the word "infinite" suggests that there is an endless realm of possibilities and potential, beyond the material world.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in spiritual and emotional fulfillment. Dickinson writes, "Not an acre or a dollar / Parley we today," which suggests that she is not interested in discussing or pursuing material wealth. Instead, she is focused on intangible riches such as love, creativity, and personal growth. This idea is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which state that "Love is anterior to life / Posterior to death." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that love is a fundamental force that transcends the physical world and has the power to endure beyond death.
Structure
When Diamonds are a Legend is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with short, compact lines and a lack of punctuation. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each containing twelve lines. The first six lines establish the theme of impermanence and the limitations of material wealth, while the second six lines explore the idea of spiritual wealth and the enduring power of love.
The structure of the poem reflects its themes, with the first stanza emphasizing the finite and the second stanza emphasizing the infinite. The lack of punctuation in the poem gives it a sense of fluidity and openness, allowing the reader to interpret and explore its many layers of meaning.
Language
Dickinson's use of language in When Diamonds are a Legend is both simple and profound. The poem is written in plain language, with few complex words or phrases. However, the simplicity of the language belies the depth of meaning that it conveys. The use of words like "finite," "infinite," "parley," and "anterior" suggests a deep understanding of the human condition and the nature of existence.
The poem also contains several interesting word choices that add to its overall meaning. For example, the use of the word "parley" in the second line suggests a negotiation or discussion, but also implies that the speaker is not interested in engaging in such discussions about material wealth. Similarly, the use of the word "anterior" to describe love suggests that it is a force that predates and transcends life itself.
Imagery
When Diamonds are a Legend contains several striking images that add to its overall meaning. The title itself is a powerful image, suggesting the transience and ultimate futility of material wealth. The use of the word "legend" implies that diamonds will one day be nothing more than a story from the past.
Another interesting image in the poem is the use of the words "acre" and "dollar" in the first line. These two words are commonly associated with wealth and property, but in this context, they are stripped of their value and significance. The image of a vast, empty field or a pile of worthless currency underscores the idea that material possessions are ultimately meaningless.
Finally, the image of love as a force that transcends life and death is both beautiful and profound. Dickinson's use of the word "anterior" suggests that love is not bound by time or space, but is a fundamental force that underlies all of existence.
Conclusion
When Diamonds are a Legend is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of impermanence, material wealth, and spiritual fulfillment. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is both simple and profound, conveying a deep understanding of the human condition and the nature of existence. The structure of the poem is reflective of its themes, with the first stanza emphasizing the finite and the second stanza emphasizing the infinite. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in love and the pursuit of spiritual and emotional fulfillment.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When Diamonds are a Legend: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "When Diamonds are a Legend," a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of love and the passage of time. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the line "When Diamonds are a Legend," immediately setting a tone of nostalgia and longing. The use of the word "legend" suggests that diamonds, once a symbol of wealth and luxury, have become a thing of the past, something that is no longer attainable or even relevant. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of love as something that is fleeting and ephemeral.
The second line of the poem reads, "And Diadems--a Tale." A diadem is a type of crown or headband worn by royalty, and the use of this word reinforces the idea of something that is no longer attainable or relevant. The phrase "a Tale" suggests that diadems are now nothing more than a story, a memory of a time long gone. This line also introduces the idea of storytelling, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The third line reads, "I cannot halve my Soul." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of the soul as something that cannot be divided or shared. This suggests that the speaker is deeply committed to her own sense of self, and that she is unwilling to compromise her own values or beliefs for the sake of love. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the tension between individuality and connection.
The fourth line reads, "Nor dare I sell my Moan." This line is interesting because it introduces the idea of the speaker's "moan," which can be interpreted as her pain or sorrow. The use of the word "sell" suggests that the speaker is aware of the potential cost of love, and that she is unwilling to sacrifice her own emotional well-being for the sake of a relationship. This line also introduces the idea of commerce, which is another recurring theme throughout the poem.
The fifth and sixth lines read, "The Scarlet side of Life/ Is full of sudden Trees." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of the "Scarlet side of Life," which can be interpreted as the darker, more painful aspects of existence. The use of the word "Scarlet" suggests that these aspects are associated with blood or violence, and the phrase "sudden Trees" suggests that they can be unexpected and overwhelming. This is an important theme in the poem, as the speaker is grappling with the idea of love as something that can be both beautiful and painful.
The seventh and eighth lines read, "Whose heads--let East and West/ Divide--eternally." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of division, both geographically and temporally. The use of the words "East" and "West" suggests that the speaker is thinking about the world as a whole, and that she is aware of the vast distances that separate people. The phrase "eternally" suggests that these divisions are permanent and unchanging, which reinforces the idea of love as something that is difficult to attain and maintain.
The ninth and tenth lines read, "My woven hands--clasp--Nil--/ Nil--Air--or Surfaces." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of the speaker's "woven hands," which can be interpreted as a symbol of her own creativity or craftsmanship. The use of the word "clasp" suggests that the speaker is trying to hold onto something, but that she is unable to find anything substantial to grasp onto. The use of the words "Nil" and "Air" suggest that the speaker is grappling with the idea of emptiness or nothingness, which reinforces the idea of love as something that is difficult to grasp or hold onto.
The eleventh and twelfth lines read, "Unto a uknown Peace/ Which--Tranquility denies--." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of an "unknown Peace," which can be interpreted as a sense of calm or contentment that is not yet attainable. The use of the word "Tranquility" suggests that the speaker is aware of the potential for peace, but that she is unable to find it in her current state. This reinforces the idea of love as something that is difficult to attain, but that is still worth striving for.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines read, "The Scarlet side of Life/ Which is not Death--but Death's ally--." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of death as something that is closely related to the "Scarlet side of Life." The use of the word "ally" suggests that death is not necessarily an enemy, but rather a companion to the darker aspects of existence. This reinforces the idea of love as something that is both beautiful and painful, and suggests that death is an inevitable part of the human experience.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines read, "It beckons--and it baffles--/ Philosophy--is shy--." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of philosophy as something that is unable to fully grasp the complexities of love and death. The use of the word "beckons" suggests that love and death are both alluring and tempting, but that they are also difficult to understand or comprehend. This reinforces the idea of love as something that is mysterious and elusive, and suggests that it is ultimately beyond human understanding.
The final two lines of the poem read, "I dare not guess the size--/ Lest I be like them--wise--." These lines are significant because they introduce the idea of wisdom as something that is potentially dangerous or limiting. The use of the word "guess" suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of her own knowledge, and that she is unwilling to make assumptions about the nature of love and death. This reinforces the idea of love as something that is mysterious and elusive, and suggests that it is ultimately beyond human understanding.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of four quatrains, or four-line stanzas, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which reinforces the idea of love as something that is both beautiful and painful. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, also gives the poem a sense of fluidity and movement, which reinforces the idea of love as something that is constantly in flux.
In terms of language, the poem is characterized by its use of metaphor and symbolism. The use of diamonds, diadems, and scarlet trees all serve to reinforce the idea of love as something that is both beautiful and painful, while the use of woven hands and unknown peace suggest the speaker's own sense of creativity and longing. The use of division, emptiness, and philosophy all serve to reinforce the idea of love as something that is mysterious and elusive, while the use of death and wisdom suggest the speaker's own awareness of the limitations of human understanding.
In conclusion, "When Diamonds are a Legend" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of love and the passage of time. Through its use of metaphor, symbolism, and structure, the poem reinforces the idea of love as something that is both beautiful and painful, mysterious and elusive. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet, and a reminder of the enduring power of her work.
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