Berrying
Berrying - meaning Summary
From Cynicism to Simple Wisdom
Emerson presents a brief shift from skeptical worldview to quiet, natural consolation. The speaker, initially describing the world as a violent, deceitful place, wanders into a pastoral scene and eats blackberries. Simple pleasure dissolves his harsh judgment, and the vines themselves suggest that small, sensible creations bear their own wisdom. The poem implies that everyday nature can counter abstract despair and restore grounded insight.
Read Complete Analyses"May be true what I had heard, Earth's a howling wilderness Truculent with fraud and force," Said I, strolling through the pastures, And along the riverside. Caught among the blackberry vines, Feeding on the Ethiops sweet, Pleasant fancies overtook me: I said, "What influence me preferred Elect to dreams thus beautiful?" The vines replied, "And didst thou deem No wisdom to our berries went?"
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