There Is an Arid Pleasure
poem 782
There Is an Arid Pleasure - meaning Summary
Contrasting Pleasures and Values
The poem distinguishes two kinds of pleasure: a dry, arid satisfaction and a nourishing joy. Dickinson compares them to frost versus dew and shows that one kind supports life while the other repels it. The closing image of curdled honey useless to the bee underscores that what seems pleasurable can be sterile or harmful depending on who or what receives it. The poem asks readers to consider usefulness and fit in pleasures.
Read Complete AnalysesThere is an arid Pleasure As different from Joy As Frost is different from Dew Like element are they Yet one rejoices Flowers And one the Flowers abhor The finest Honey curdled Is worthless to the Bee
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