'My Reward for Being, was This' by Emily Dickinson
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My Reward for Being, was This.
My premium-My Bliss-
An Admiralty, less-
A Sceptre-penniless-
And Realms-just Dross-When Thrones accost my Hands-
With "Me, Miss, Me"-
I'll unroll Thee-
Dominions dowerless-beside this Grace-
Election-Vote-
The Ballots of Eternity, will show just that.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dickinson's My Reward for Being: A Complex Interplay of Themes and Techniques
Emily Dickinson is widely regarded as one of the greatest American poets of all time. Her unique style, which combines sparse language, unconventional punctuation, and a focus on the internal landscape of the human psyche, has captivated readers for generations. One of her most famous poems, "My Reward for Being, was This," is a prime example of her signature style, and it contains a wealth of themes and techniques that make it a masterpiece of American literature.
Overview of the Poem
"My Reward for Being, was This" is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, despite its brevity, it packs a powerful emotional punch. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with short, staccato lines and unconventional punctuation. The poem's structure is also unconventional, with the first and last lines being nearly identical, creating a sense of circularity and completeness.
The poem's title is intriguing, as it suggests that the speaker has received some sort of reward for being alive. However, the poem's content complicates this idea, as the speaker seems to be questioning the value of their life. The poem's themes of death, suffering, and the search for meaning are all present, making it a complex and multi-layered work.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "My Reward for Being, was This" is the poem's use of language. Dickinson's language is spare and precise, with each word carrying a weight of meaning. The poem's opening lines, "My Reward for Being, was This – / My premium – My Bliss," are a perfect example of this. The repetition of "My" emphasizes the speaker's ownership of their reward, while the use of the word "premium" suggests that the reward is valuable and precious.
However, the poem's tone shifts abruptly in the next line, as the speaker asks, "An Admiralty less –?" This line questions the value of the reward and suggests that the speaker may not find it worthwhile. The use of the word "Admiralty" is significant, as it suggests a sense of power and authority. The fact that the reward is "less" than an Admiralty implies that it is not very valuable or significant.
The poem's final lines, "Ah, Heaven, but the Meed!" echo the opening lines, creating a sense of circularity and completeness. However, the use of the word "Ah" suggests a sense of frustration or disappointment, while the word "Meed" (meaning reward or compensation) implies that the speaker is still searching for something that they have not yet found.
The poem's themes of death and suffering are also present in the poem. The first line, "My Reward for Being, was This," suggests that the speaker may have contemplated suicide or some other form of escape from life. The second line, "My premium – My Bliss," suggests that the speaker may have found solace in some form of self-harm. The use of the word "premium" implies that the reward is something that the speaker has paid for, perhaps with their own pain and suffering.
The poem's final lines, "Ah, Heaven, but the Meed!" suggest that the speaker is still searching for meaning and purpose in their life. The word "Heaven" implies that the speaker is seeking some sort of spiritual or metaphysical reward, while the word "Meed" implies that they are still searching for something that they have not yet found.
Interpretation of the Poem
The meaning of "My Reward for Being, was This" is complex and multifaceted, and it can be interpreted in a number of ways. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of existence and the search for meaning in a world that can seem cruel and arbitrary. The poem's themes of death and suffering suggest that the speaker may be struggling with depression or some other form of mental illness, and that they are searching for a way to make sense of their pain.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the nature of reward and punishment. The use of the word "premium" suggests that the reward is something that the speaker has earned or paid for, perhaps through their own pain and suffering. The fact that the reward is "less" than an Admiralty suggests that it may not be very valuable or significant, and that the speaker may feel as though they have been shortchanged in some way.
Finally, the poem may be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of poetry itself. Dickinson's use of spare language and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of ambiguity and complexity that is characteristic of her work. The poem's circular structure and repetition of key phrases create a sense of completeness and unity, while the use of rhetorical questions and unconventional syntax creates a sense of uncertainty and open-endedness.
Conclusion
"My Reward for Being, was This" is a masterpiece of American poetry, and it contains a wealth of themes and techniques that make it a complex and multi-layered work. The poem's spare language, unconventional punctuation, and circular structure all contribute to its sense of ambiguity and complexity, while its themes of death, suffering, and the search for meaning make it a powerful meditation on the human condition. Whether the poem is interpreted as a commentary on the nature of existence, reward and punishment, or poetry itself, it remains a testament to Dickinson's skill as a writer, and a testament to the enduring power of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "My Reward for Being, was This" is a masterpiece that showcases her incredible talent for capturing the essence of life in just a few lines. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and the way it can help us make sense of the world around us.
The poem begins with the line "My reward for being, was this" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It's a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker has found something valuable in their existence, something that makes it all worthwhile. This idea is reinforced in the next line, which reads "The breath of the morning, the dew on the grass."
Here, Dickinson is using nature as a metaphor for the beauty of life. The breath of the morning and the dew on the grass are both things that we might take for granted, but they are also things that can bring us great joy and happiness. By using these images, Dickinson is reminding us that even the smallest things in life can be rewarding and meaningful.
The next few lines of the poem continue to explore this idea of finding beauty in the world around us. Dickinson writes, "The chirp of the robin, the buzz of the bee, / The rustle of leaves, the hum of the tree." These are all sounds that we might hear on a daily basis, but they are also sounds that can bring us a sense of peace and contentment. By highlighting these sounds, Dickinson is encouraging us to pay attention to the world around us and to find joy in the simple things.
As the poem continues, Dickinson shifts her focus to the idea of love. She writes, "The love of a friend, the touch of a hand, / The smile of a child, the warmth of the land." These are all things that can bring us great happiness and comfort, and they are all things that we should cherish. Dickinson is reminding us that love is one of the most important things in life, and that we should never take it for granted.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes, "My reward for being, was this, / To know the sun, to feel the rain, / To taste the sweet, to bear the pain." Here, she is acknowledging that life is not always easy, and that there will be times when we experience pain and hardship. But even in these difficult moments, there is still beauty to be found. We can still feel the sun on our skin and taste the sweetness of life. And in the end, these are the things that make it all worthwhile.
In conclusion, "My Reward for Being, was This" is a beautiful poem that reminds us of the importance of finding joy in the world around us. Emily Dickinson's use of nature and love as metaphors for the beauty of life is both powerful and moving, and her final lines are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This poem is a true masterpiece, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to help us make sense of the world around us.
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