What is the meaning, message, and theme of this Emily Dickinson poem?
But just a crumb to me;
I dare not eat it, though I starve,–
My poignant luxury
To own it, touch it, prove the feat
That made the pellet mine,–
Too happy in my sparrow chance
For ampler coveting.
It might be famine all around,
I could not miss an ear,
Such plenty smiles upon my board,
My garner shows so fair.
I wonder how the rich may feel,–
An Indiaman–an Earl?
I deem that I with but a crumb
Am sovereign of them all.
Favorite Answer
Hope that helps.
Ms. Dickenson was a very introspective, introverted person. Personally, I believe Ms. Dickenson was talking, in this poem, about her concern that God gave some people happiness in love, but not others. She was a “bird” that God only gave a crumb to, yet she yearned to have the loaf. She “coveted” the happiness she thought others had.
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