'There is a flower that Bees prefer' by Emily Dickinson


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There is a flower that Bees prefer-
And Butterflies-desire-
To gain the Purple Democrat
The Humming Bird-aspire-And Whatsoever Insect pass-
A Honey bear away
Proportioned to his several dearth
And her-capacity-Her face be rounder than the Moon
And ruddier than the Gown
Or Orchis in the Pasture-
Or Rhododendron-worn-She doth not wait for June-
Before the World be Green-
Her sturdy little Countenance
Against the Wind-be seen-Contending with the Grass-
Near Kinsman to Herself-
For Privilege of Sod and Sun-
Sweet Litigants for Life-And when the Hills be full-
And newer fashions blow-
Doth not retract a single spice
For pang of jealousy-Her Public-be the Noon-
Her Providence-the Sun-
Her Progress-by the Bee-proclaimed-
In sovereign-Swerveless Tune-The Bravest-of the Host-
Surrendering-the last-
Nor even of Defeat-aware-
What cancelled by the Frost-

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Poetry of Emily Dickinson: An Interpretation of "There is a flower that Bees prefer"

Emily Dickinson is one of the most notable poets of the 19th century, with her unique style and form captivating readers even to this day. Her work often explores themes of death, love, and nature, and many of her poems have a mysterious quality to them that leaves readers pondering their meaning long after they have finished reading.

One such poem is "There is a flower that Bees prefer," which is a perfect example of Dickinson's penchant for exploring nature and its relationship with humanity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, symbolism, and themes, and uncover the secrets that make it a timeless masterpiece.

The Poem: "There is a flower that Bees prefer"

There is a flower that Bees prefer—
And Butterflies—desire—
To gain the Purple Democrat
The Humming Bird—aspire—

And Whatsoever Insect pass—
A Honey bear away
Proportioned to his several dearth
And her—capacitie—

Her face be rounder than the Moon—
And ruddier than the Gown—
Or Orchis in the Pasture—
Or Rhododendron—worn—

She doth not wait for June—
Before the World be Green—
Her sturdy little Countenance
Against the Wind—be seen—

Contending with the Grass—
Near Kinsman to Herself—
For Privilege of Sod and Sun—
Sweet Litigants—for Life—

And when the Hills are full—
And newer fashions blow—
Doth not retract a single spice
For Avarice—or Show—

This is a poem that is deceptively simple in its form, but rich in its imagery and symbolism. The poem is made up of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCB. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not have a set meter, but instead follows a natural rhythm.

The poem begins by describing a flower that is preferred by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It goes on to describe how the flower attracts various insects, and that the amount of honey each insect takes is proportionate to its size and capacity. The third stanza describes the physical characteristics of the flower, with the poet likening it to the moon, a gown, and other flowers found in nature. The final stanza describes how the flower competes with other plants for space and sunlight, and that it does not compromise its essence for the sake of popularity or greed.

Symbolism and Themes

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the abundance of symbolism used by the poet. The flower itself is a symbol, representing the beauty and abundance of nature, and how it attracts various creatures to it. The bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are also symbols, representing the different aspects of nature that are drawn to the flower, and the various ways that they interact with it.

The honey that the insects take from the flower is also symbolic, representing the sweetness and nourishment that nature provides. The fact that the amount of honey taken is proportionate to the insect's size and capacity is significant, as it suggests that nature provides for all living things, regardless of their size or importance.

The physical characteristics of the flower are also symbolic, with the moon and gown representing the beauty and elegance of the flower, and the other flowers mentioned representing its connection to the wider natural world.

The theme of competition is also explored in the poem, with the flower competing with other plants for space and sunlight. However, the flower does not compromise its essence for the sake of popularity or greed, which is a powerful message about staying true to oneself and not compromising one's values for personal gain.

Interpretation

The poem can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible interpretation is that it is a meditation on the beauty and abundance of nature, and its relationship with humanity. The flower represents the natural world, and the insects represent humanity, with each being drawn to the other because of the unique qualities they possess.

The fact that the flower does not compromise its essence for the sake of popularity or greed is a powerful message about the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's values for personal gain. This is a message that is particularly relevant in today's society, which often values popularity and success over authenticity and integrity.

The theme of competition is also significant, as it suggests that while competition is a natural part of life, it is possible to compete without compromising one's values or sense of self. The fact that the flower competes with other plants for space and sunlight, but does not compromise its essence, is a powerful message about the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's values for personal gain.

Conclusion

"There is a flower that Bees prefer" is a beautiful poem that explores the beauty and abundance of nature, and its relationship with humanity. Through its use of symbolism and themes such as competition, authenticity, and staying true to oneself, the poem offers a powerful message about the importance of valuing one's essence above personal gain, and staying true to one's values and sense of self.

Emily Dickinson's unique style and form make this poem a timeless masterpiece, and its message resonates just as strongly today as it did when it was first written. Whether you are a lover of poetry, nature, or simply a seeker of deep and meaningful messages, this poem is sure to captivate and inspire you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Beauty of Emily Dickinson's "There is a flower that Bees prefer"

As a lover of poetry, I have always been drawn to the works of Emily Dickinson. Her unique style and use of language have always captivated me, and one of my favorite poems of hers is "There is a flower that Bees prefer." This beautiful poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the beauty of nature in her writing.

The poem begins with the line "There is a flower that Bees prefer," which immediately draws the reader's attention to the subject of the poem. Dickinson's use of the word "prefer" is interesting because it suggests that the bees have a choice in the matter, as if they are actively seeking out this particular flower. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the beauty and importance of this flower.

The second line of the poem reads "And Butterflies- desire," which adds another layer to the poem. Not only do the bees prefer this flower, but butterflies also desire it. This creates a sense of universality, as if this flower is beloved by all creatures that appreciate beauty and nature.

The third line of the poem reads "To gain the Purple Democrat," which is a reference to the flower's color. The use of the word "Democrat" is interesting because it suggests that this flower is democratic in nature, as if it is accessible to all creatures regardless of their status or background. This is a beautiful sentiment and adds to the overall theme of the poem, which is the beauty and importance of nature.

The fourth line of the poem reads "The Humming Bird- aspire," which adds yet another layer to the poem. Not only do the bees and butterflies prefer this flower, but the hummingbird aspires to it. This creates a sense of longing and desire, as if the hummingbird is striving to reach this beautiful flower.

The fifth line of the poem reads "And bumble bees, for a tomb," which is a reference to the fact that bumble bees often die inside flowers. This adds a sense of melancholy to the poem, as if the beauty of this flower is so great that even death is a small price to pay for the chance to be near it.

The sixth and final line of the poem reads "The single flower of the Earth," which is a beautiful and powerful statement. This flower is not just any flower, but the single flower of the Earth. This suggests that it is unique and special, and that its beauty is unparalleled.

Overall, "There is a flower that Bees prefer" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and importance of nature. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to her skill as a poet. I highly recommend this poem to anyone who loves poetry or who appreciates the beauty of nature.

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