The Value of Victory in Emily Dickinson Poem “Success Is Counted Sweetest” Essay Example
Emily Dickinson's (1830 - 1886) poem titled "Success is counted sweetest" conveys that success holds the most worth for those individuals who have experienced failure. This can be in the form of tangible or intangible success. Dickinson cleverly manipulates the meaning of the poem by altering its viewpoint after the second stanza. This alteration suggests that how one perceives the value of success depends on their perspective. In essence, the first stanza highlights that individuals who have struggled for an extended period of time recognize success as extremely valuable.
Understanding the true meaning of success requires a genuine desire to do so, as emphasized by Dickinson. Those who have achieved success may not fully appreciate their accomplishments. Dickinson shifts her focus to the battlefield in the second stanza, where soldiers strive to conquer
...land by planting their flag. Despite being wounded or losing men, the victorious soldiers, or "purple Host," take pride in their land acquisition.
In comparison to the "sweetness" of the first stanza, the triumph may feel bitter. Dickinson then shifts to the point of view of the wounded and dying men of the defeated side who are holding on to their remaining life. The final sentence expresses the sorrow of that man. Ironically, the victorious side is unable to fully appreciate their success in contrast to the defeated, who can hear music in the distance. For the defeated, losing means losing their life while for the victorious, success is merely possession of a small piece of land. The defeated find success in staying alive.
When it comes to understanding the value of success, different perspectives can reveal vastly different views. What is deemed
important to one person may hold no significance to another. Specifically, winning a piece of land may be relevant and valuable to those still living, but for the defeated who lost their lives, it is irrelevant. The worth of victory can also be diminished by the loss of limbs or relationships. Nonetheless, for those who paid with their lives, the value of success and victory remains extremely high.
On the other hand, the winner of the flag on this day had his life spared and therefore may not fully comprehend the significance of his triumph.
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