tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post4320403674916811762..comments2024-03-29T00:07:13.458-07:00Comments on the prowling Bee: When I hoped I feared —Susan Kornfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-89685764272750674382023-12-21T11:30:15.015-08:002023-12-21T11:30:15.015-08:00Since I lost Wadsworth, “O death, where is thy sti...Since I lost Wadsworth, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”<br /><br />1 Corinthians 15:55<br />Larry Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02810899482852120751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-79049990779890169582023-12-20T17:24:43.476-08:002023-12-20T17:24:43.476-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Larry Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02810899482852120751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-76935097005774734962017-01-08T12:18:15.291-08:002017-01-08T12:18:15.291-08:00In an alternate version, the second to last line i...In an alternate version, the second to last line is "He is the King of Harm..." I can't help but think of Sting's self pity singing "It's my destiny to be the king of pain...." I much prefer "He deposes Doom" although her meanings are, generally speaking, very similar in both versions. Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047678873938396282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-16202224025168648852015-07-04T08:40:04.190-07:002015-07-04T08:40:04.190-07:00I think that's right: sadder but wiser as Adam...I think that's right: sadder but wiser as Adam and Eve must have been. Once they had gained the knowledge that got them expelled from the Garden, they were less susceptible to Serpent.Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-38956994771089152092015-07-04T07:04:30.969-07:002015-07-04T07:04:30.969-07:00One can read Since I hoped I dared two ways, the f...One can read Since I hoped I dared two ways, the first, because, the second, as a travel in time. I started reading it as because, but when I took it as development, I dared comes later, after I hoped/feared. Now [i'm] Everywhere alone.<br /><br />In the poem reading in time and knowledge gained from some confrontation that is only alluded to in the imagery of the Serpent, the poet has matured in order to accept her fate, her fall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-22278955918945547152015-04-04T08:10:06.780-07:002015-04-04T08:10:06.780-07:00All good points. Rather than "chastising hers...All good points. Rather than "chastising herself", however, assuming the rest of your commentary, I wonder if she isn't 'simply' reflecting -- reporting on her inner excavations.Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-562298866299105512015-04-04T08:05:10.808-07:002015-04-04T08:05:10.808-07:00Interesting: loneliness = safety, yet fear and dar...Interesting: loneliness = safety, yet fear and daring. A thoughtful reading, thanks.Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-55339794117165050822015-04-04T07:56:37.839-07:002015-04-04T07:56:37.839-07:00Good analysis and I love this blog.I have a differ...Good analysis and I love this blog.I have a different interpretation of the poem. When I hope I feared - it refers to the non assertive nature of the word "to hope" as it is not normally associated with immediate action/results/confidence but rather a long drawn out struggle with no view of a time-bound result. At the same time "When i hoped I dared " -- cause eventhough I dont respond with action I still have hope i.e not accepted the norm so I dare to think different."Everywhere alone, As a church remain" (two lines read as one)-- Im alone in my thoughts/ideas. A loner who has revolutionary ideas but no intent on starting one like an abandoned church- "a preacher with no followers". A spectre cannot harm - the order/norm cannot affect her in loneliness- Serpent cannot charm - the misogynist cannot hurt her in her thoughts(reference to Eve), "He deposes doom, Who hath suffered him" - The only way to survive through an inevitable fate/doom/anguish is through enduring it which is much better than the suffering of inaction and loneliness. My view is that she is convincing/chastising herself for her reclusive nature in the last lines of the poem............ or Im just stretching it!!<br />Keep up the good work Susanbalajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719552442132976806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-67913042599171286562015-04-04T07:06:38.171-07:002015-04-04T07:06:38.171-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.balajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719552442132976806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-84567631831800112442015-03-21T21:11:54.013-07:002015-03-21T21:11:54.013-07:00That's right -- "Dooms of Balms" on ...That's right -- "Dooms of Balms" on Hunt's wedding. It's a wonderful phrase; very rich.Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-11542269297779181272015-03-21T20:01:33.733-07:002015-03-21T20:01:33.733-07:00Aha! The definition of doom as fate must be what E...Aha! The definition of doom as fate must be what Emily meant in her letter to Helen Hunt Jackson wishing her "Dooms of Balms". A meaning that escaped Mrs. Jackson at the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-47544948632714255992015-03-18T06:24:25.154-07:002015-03-18T06:24:25.154-07:00Nice. Such a fluidity is applicable at many points... Nice. Such a fluidity is applicable at many points along the spectrum of despair and shattered dreams; as well as hope and will. <br /> Arguably, she states that she is completely alone as a "Church" on weekdays. Yet, this loneliness gives her the safety she needs, because the worst is no longer a threat when we have experienced it––"Spectre," and "Serpent."<br /> Hope has brought fear, because it means she will have to be alone to continue the solitary pursuit in order to build an eternal poetic space, but she dares, because she knows that once someone has taken that step, they also overcome the fear.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08961001706149019039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-70310377036066122142015-03-17T18:08:14.819-07:002015-03-17T18:08:14.819-07:00I like it: depose to dispose. I can certainly see ...I like it: depose to dispose. I can certainly see Dickinson having that word echo in her mind.Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-52406951586015587512015-03-17T18:06:45.335-07:002015-03-17T18:06:45.335-07:00I like your thoughtful reading of the poem, partic...I like your thoughtful reading of the poem, particularly the linking of loneliness and empowerment. I think that's just right. Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-28715051006435323762015-03-17T15:26:13.435-07:002015-03-17T15:26:13.435-07:00ONE does need, not once. Gah - I wish that one cou...ONE does need, not once. Gah - I wish that one could edit comments. :)Ellenhttp://www.ethora.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-62475539305583234242015-03-17T15:23:21.611-07:002015-03-17T15:23:21.611-07:00I like both the acceptance and the endurance messa...I like both the acceptance and the endurance messages here. Once does need to accept in order to endure. <br /><br />One could also look at the legal definition of depose (ED's dad was a lawyer, and I believe that she was privy to much of the jargon). If you use both definitions together, then he who declares (in writing) doom is able to dispose of it.Ellenhttp://www.ethora.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-1326549415033145652015-03-17T08:14:50.373-07:002015-03-17T08:14:50.373-07:00Thank you for this excellent analysis of a difficu... Thank you for this excellent analysis of a difficult poem.<br /><br /> I read the word "suffered" as acceptance. The poem begins with conflict -- a waffling back and forth between hope and fear. We often view hope as a positive experience and fear as a negative experience -- but as long as either is in effect, we are subject to the vagaries of fate (doom is the Old English word for fate) -- and fate is empowered. <br /><br /> The loneliness is a spiritual experience. The poet finds her church everywhere -- in Nature. But it is an isolated experience, divorced from others. Loneliness is empowering because it allows detachment -- free from harm (fear) and charm (hope). And that "deposes Doom" -- liberates the poet from fate.<br /><br /> The word suffered is interesting because it has two meanings -- I expect ED intended both meanings to resonate. If we are caught in and struggle with hope and fear -- there is no more clear example of suffering (with the sense of endurance of pain) and fate is our master. But if we are detached and free from hope and fear, then suffering adopts a meaning of acceptance.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com