The poem I Died for Beauty but was Scarce is one of Emily Dickinson’s most well-known poems. The piece talks about a woman who died for the concept of beauty while the man beside her gave up his life for truth. The narrator explains that both are the same which make them brethren. In this poem, the author explores the theme of death. More than this, the choice of words is used to communicate the relationship between death, beauty, and truth. And as a result, Dickinson made a poem that is gruesome and frightening and at the same time truthful and compelling.
One of the most obvious and recurring themes in this poem is death. This is clear in the first stanza which sets the tone for the entire piece. It primarily tells the reader that the person died for beauty; however she never got the chance to get used to her tomb as someone else was placed beside her. And the person who was laid in the tomb was someone who died for truth. Hence, the author writes: “I died for beauty but was scarce/ adjusted in the tomb/ When one who died for truth was lain/ in an adjoining room” (Dickinson 1). In this part, the theme of death is introduced by using words such as “tomb” and “died”. Dickinson connects this with the idea that it is she sacrificed herself for beauty. She used the word “scarce” to put across the message that it is now rare to find a person who believes in beauty and is willing to die for it.
The author also establishes a sense of connection and intimacy between the two characters. In the second stanza, the author narrates how both ask each other the reason for their death: “He questioned softly why I failed?/ “for beauty, I replied./ “and I for truth”. And upon realizing the reason for each other’s death, they came to the conclusion that at some point, they are similar or that they are brethren: “the two are one;/ We brethren are, he said” (Dickinson 1) This is a common metaphor often used in many of Dickinson’s poems. Many literary scholars point out that it is possible that for the author, beauty is truth expressed in words. It is also clear that in this part of the poem, the author uses the characters as metaphor for the abstract concepts of beauty and truth. It is also evident the author’s choice of words. the adverb “softly” is used to indicate that at some level, the two both have intimacy and connection. This is further underlined when the narrator explains that “the two are one” as well as “brethren”. The connection between the two characters suggests that similar to them, beauty and truth also goes hand in hand.
But perhaps what is most interesting is how the author connected the concepts of beauty and truth with death. In the second stanza, Dickinson creates an imagery that the two characters, or beauty and truth, are both in their tomb. This image is in fact, a representation of how death is a prerequisite to a full and deeper understanding of death. In short, death is an element which makes us appreciate beauty and truth.
In the third stanza, the author continues to establish the connection between beauty and truth. This is clear in how she uses the word “kinsmen” as well as the pronouns “we” and “our”. Alternately, the idea of death is also reinforced as the author writes: “until the moss reached our lip/ and covered up our names” (Dickinson 1). The imagery of moss covering them indicates that while beauty and truth exists, it will ultimately reclaim them at point of death.
Based on the points provided, it can be concluded that the author explores the theme of death by connecting it with the concepts of beauty and truth. This is evident in the choice of words of the author and the arrangement of the stanzas.
References
Dickinson, E. Dickinson: Selected Poems. NY: Harvard University Press, 2010