tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post239953791700191691..comments2024-03-29T00:07:13.458-07:00Comments on the prowling Bee: I got so I could take his name –Susan Kornfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-13654149971162624382023-04-24T14:57:10.663-07:002023-04-24T14:57:10.663-07:00For the record, Franklin replaced Johnson’s (1955)...For the record, Franklin replaced Johnson’s (1955) “take” with “hear” in his 1998 publication of this poem (F292).Larry Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-10561787954658208562023-04-23T07:14:54.136-07:002023-04-23T07:14:54.136-07:00ED’s handwritten first line in the only existing v...ED’s handwritten first line in the only existing variant of this poem reads: <br /><br />“I got so I could hear his name – think – take –”. <br /><br />Obviously, the last two words are possible alternatives for “hear”. Apparently, Johnson (1955) made an editorial decision (without consulting the poet) that the third alternative, “take”, was the best choice for this line. Why would he assume that? My guess is that Johnson subconsciously associated the poem’s first line with the Second Commandment: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain . . .” (Exodus 20: 7, KJV). ED’s “his” does not refer to “the LORD”, but to Charles Wadsworth. <br /><br />To my ear and way of thinking, ED’s first alternative, “hear”, would have been Johnson’s best choice. This potential confusion is important in reading the next poem, “A single Screw of Flesh” (F293). <br />Larry Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02810899482852120751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-76223001936953253872023-04-21T15:47:04.584-07:002023-04-21T15:47:04.584-07:00Whicher, George F. 1938. This was a Poet.Whicher, George F. 1938. This was a Poet.Larry Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-89194914507963436922023-04-21T15:45:39.275-07:002023-04-21T15:45:39.275-07:00This bitterly agnostic poem reflects a sea-change ...This bitterly agnostic poem reflects a sea-change in ED’s religious convictions, which had become firmly non-Christian by 1862. Oddly, her transition from conservative Christian dogma culminated after a seven-year (1855-1862) studentship/friendship with a conservative Presbyterian minister, Charles Wadsworth, of Philadelphia.<br /><br />Two eminent historians of ED’s life and poetry, George F. Whicher (1938) and Alfred C. Habegger (2001), conclude that Charles Wadsworth was the intended recipient of the Master Letters. In Whicher’s words, Wadsworth “was a friend of supreme importance in Emily Dickinson's life. [However, that does not] oblige us to assume that she was of supreme importance in his . . . . The supposition that any sort of lovers' understanding, no matter how attenuated, ever existed between them is inconceivable in view of his known character.” Before he “left the land” in April 1862 to preach in San Francisco, they corresponded numerous times and he visited her in Amherst at least once, in March 1860. There is some evidence he may have visited again in mid-summer 1861 (Whicher 1938). Apparently, after he moved to California, their correspondence ceased until 1869 when he returned to Philadelphia. However, ED’s love poems did not cease. Wadsworth visited her again in 1880, and after his death in 1882 she corresponded reminiscently with his good friend, James D. Clark.<br />Larry Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-31898722207982804682022-12-09T11:58:19.285-08:002022-12-09T11:58:19.285-08:00Your words bring new light
Dear Ms. Emily now to s...Your words bring new light<br />Dear Ms. Emily now to see<br />Your joy mine received Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-7757501444442105712020-07-16T07:06:12.107-07:002020-07-16T07:06:12.107-07:00So many commas! And not always for clarity’s sake...So many commas! And not always for clarity’s sake (l. 27).<br />In 293 also. Pphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01023162636086533197noreply@blogger.com