Poem Analysis - If I Could Bribe Them By A Rose

An Earnest Plea: Introduction

Emily Dickinson's "If I Could Bribe Them By A Rose" is a poignant exploration of longing and persistent hope. The poem begins with a tone of hopeful determination, visualizing extreme efforts to achieve a desired outcome. This eagerness shifts subtly throughout the poem, revealing an undercurrent of anxiety and self-doubt. The concluding stanzas present a complex mix of desperation and a fragile belief that unwavering persistence might eventually yield success, even if only to be rid of the petitioner.

A Symphony of Nature: The Language of Enticement

One of the central themes in this poem is the power of persistence in the face of apparent indifference or resistance. The opening lines establish a willingness to go to extreme lengths, gathering flowers from "Amherst to Cashmere," a vast geographical span symbolizing the boundlessness of the speaker's dedication. The imagery of roses and flowers serves as a symbol of beauty, gentleness, and a peace offering or a token of appeasement. The poem uses natural imagery – roses, birds, April woods, summer songs, and winter boughs – to represent the speaker's attempts to sway or persuade the unnamed "them". This natural world is presented as something precious and desirable, a form of currency that the speaker hopes will be valued.

The Door to Acceptance: Symbols and Interpretations

The "them" in the poem are never explicitly identified, which adds to the poem's ambiguity. They could represent societal expectations, a higher power, a lover, or even death itself. This ambiguity is key to understanding the poem's broader appeal. The idea of bribery, however, highlights the speaker's sense of powerlessness. The "Rose" and the "Bird" are symbols of beauty and artistry, but their inadequacy as effective "bribes" emphasizes the speaker's vulnerability. It is the poem's central, unanswered question: What would it take to gain acceptance or favor?

Beggar's Face: The Theme of Humility and Desperation

Another important theme is the experience of supplication and humility. The speaker envisions herself as a "Beggar," a stark contrast to the initial image of offering beautiful gifts. This shift suggests a growing awareness of her own insignificance and a willingness to debase herself to achieve her goal. The phrase "weary of this Beggar's face" suggests that the speaker is aware that her persistence might be irritating or unwelcome. This awareness does not deter her, but instead fuels her desperation, hinting at the depth of her need or desire. The final lines capture the paradoxical hope that her very persistence might, in the end, be her salvation, not through genuine acceptance, but through the weariness she induces in the object of her plea.

Importunity's Reward: Persistent Hope, Fragile Victory

The poem explores the idea of hope and its limitations. The speaker clings to the possibility that "such an importunity / May not at last avail," even while acknowledging the possibility of rejection. The question "What if they hear me!" reflects a deep-seated anxiety about being perceived or judged. The final stanza is particularly poignant, suggesting that even a reluctant "Yes" – given only to "drive her from the Hall" – would be a form of victory, albeit a bittersweet one. In essence, the poem highlights the human tendency to persist in the face of adversity, even when the odds seem stacked against them, and the desperate hope that somehow, somewhere, their efforts will be rewarded.