Over the fence—
Strawberries—grow—
Over the fence—
I could climb—if I tried, I know—
Berries are nice!
But—if I stained my Apron—
God would certainly scold!
Oh, dear,—I guess if He were a Boy—
He'd—climb—if He could!
What is the sense, feeling, tone, and suthors intention?
2007-08-07 14:07:02 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Poetry
She's talking about the double standard between girls/women and boys/men. In this case, she's more than likely making a reference to 'sex'. Why? because she makes several stereotypical references to it, that's why. "strawberries"..."berries are nice!" but she'd "stain" her "apron"...and God would "certainly scold". She's living in a time where premarital sex is considered bad for women, but expected of men; a man who confesses to having sex outside of marriage is winked at, whereas a woman is branded a harlot. She indicates that this double standard, even as seen by the church (or perhaps because of the church) is inspired by God, saying that even God would have sex if he could...if God were a young man (boy). She's not talking about "adultery", she's talking about premarital or recreational sex. She indicates that she could cross that fence, if she tried...and that she's tempted...but social pressure (and religious pressure) prevents her. Yes, she means more than "just" sex, but sex is the main subject of a larger theme.
The feeling is of "unfairness" based on sex, her tone is playful indignation and her intention was to reduce the double-standard to boy/girl nautiness represented in wanting and taking what is forbidden.
2007-08-10 20:01:56 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emily Dickinson Imagery
2016-11-07 09:14:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
On one level, you could say it would be nice to climb the fence and pick berries, but..
it seems there is something (like picking berries) she feels women are told they should not do!! After all, people tell her, God would only do this thing were He a male. They say, God would certainly not do so if female...
The author is questioning if God is being used as an excuse for defining her actions.
I feel the author is being a little tongue-in-cheek.
2007-08-07 14:19:51 · answer #3 · answered by dhamca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is in a quandary because he knows he will be in trouble if he goes over the fence. He feels that no one understands his need to go and try some of those tasty berries.
2007-08-07 14:19:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
feels like the speaker is thinking around a summer time residing house for the time of the off season after all of us has left. It feels lonely and all the pastime has been decreased to airborne dirt and dust, very comparable to we can sooner or later be decreased to airborne dirt and dust. sounds like a glance at mortality (effortless with Dickinson) additionally supported by potential of the point out of young ones, the bloom and bees, and the summer time juxtaposed by potential of the airborne dirt and dust and, what one might desire to think of is iciness, the deathlike season.
2016-10-14 09:01:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a playful description of her young girl days with the imagination that God would not mind being playful himself.
2007-08-07 14:12:53 · answer #6 · answered by Wilson C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it shows that many girls would love to be a boy if they could for a little while.
2007-08-07 14:11:53 · answer #7 · answered by lilpaw12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Longing for freedom and pleasure.....denied to girls, frustration at not being free to do as one pleases
2007-08-08 01:48:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋