To One Denied the Drink
poem 490
To One Denied the Drink - meaning Summary
Deprivation Made Demonstrable
Dickinson addresses a person denied water and contrasts telling with showing. The speaker argues that guiding someone to the well and letting them hear the drip is a sharper, more painful lesson than describing water. The short lyric turns on the ethical and emotional force of deprivation: indirect knowledge intensifies longing and reminds both speaker and reader of the cruelty inherent in withholding essential sustenance.
Read Complete AnalysesTo One denied the drink To tell what Water is Would be acuter, would it not Than letting Him surmise? To lead Him to the Well And let Him hear it drip Remind Him, would it not, somewhat Of His condemned lip?
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