Love thy Nature, Follow thy Dreams

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Gabriella Chevalier-Rivera

Professor Northrop

ENGL 21001

23 September 2018

Love thy Nature, Follow thy Dreams

Emily Dickenson is considered one of the very first poets in the United States. She loved the outdoors and most of her poems are about nature and how they make her feel. One of Dickenson’s famous poems is “I Taste Liquor Never Brewed”. In this poem, Emily explains the affect that nature has on her. Throughout the poem, she uses metaphors to express how the beauty of nature elates her. An example of this is Dickenson using the words “drunkenness” and “intoxication”.  Dickenson expressing her feelings for nature and the outdoors makes the poem beautiful/interesting because of the way she uses the words “drunkenness” and “intoxication” These words were something that women during her time did not really use. Dickenson explains her “intoxication” of nature in the beginning of the poem by indicating a pearl. Pearls are a very beautiful gem and in this case, it describes the value of liquor made under the best of circumstances; Dickenson also uses a pearl because of its color. Its color is rich and beautiful, and this is how Dickenson discovers her love of nature. It is rich and beautiful. Another special thing about this poem is the wickedness of the subject matter. Her feelings towards nature are so strong that she feels intoxicated. I believe that Dickenson was also trying to have her readers realize how great nature it and how important it is for them to enjoy it every once in a while. The intensity of the high described in the poem might be a little too much for some readers, but there certainly is a certain feeling that you can get just from a nice breath of fresh air and some sunlight.

Dickenson’s poem functions as a text by being charming and playful. This poem is different from most that would have been written during this time. It’s fun and different which is what I think has brought it so much attention. Another possibility of this, is Dickenson showing herself as a drunk and a “rebel” since it was unusual for women to speak so highly about being intoxicated during this time. A more larger meaning of this is Dickenson preparing the reader with her comparison of her love for nature and being intoxicated. Dickenson differs in style because she was a women poet writing during the 19th century and because she wrote about her love for nature.

Another poem that I analyzed is one by Stephen Crane. The poem is untitled but begins with the words “I saw a man pursuing the horizon.” This could indicate someone foolishly following an impossible dream. Meaning that the horizon is never-ending, and the dream indicates it is impossible. What makes this poem beautiful and enlightening is the fact that this man is chasing his never-ending dream with happiness. By the sound of the poem, this never-ending dream is something that he will never stop chasing. Although towards the end of the poem there is a short interruption, this interruption could indicate a distraction from this man following his dreams. In a way it describes how in life we have distractions that will have us being unfocused for a bit, but we always end up following our dreams even if out dreams seem foolish and unachievable. This differs in the philosophy of life because not many people chase silly dreams. Most people realize that it is foolish and move on from it, but there are others out there who are willing to follow their dreams, no matter how foolish it seems or what others have to say about it. In a way, this poem can motivate others and have them following their dreams even if there is a slight interruption while doing so.