The World – stands – solemner –
to me –
Since I was wed – to Him –
A modesty – befits the
soul
That bears another’s – name –
A doubt – if it be fair –
indeed –
To wear that perfect – pearl –
The Man – opon the Woman –
binds –
To clasp her soul – for all –
A prayer, that it more
angel – prove –
A Whiter Gift – within –
To that munificence, that chose –
So unadorned – a Queen –
A Gratitude – that such
be true –
It had esteemed the
Dream –
Too beautiful – for Shape
to prove –
Or posture – to redeem!
Link to EDA manuscript. Originally in Amherst Manuscript #set 89, p. 7. First published in Bolts of Melody, 1945. Courtesy of Amherst College.
Most readings of this poem locate it, along with “I’m ‘wife’– I’ve finished that–“ (F225A, J199) and “A Wife – at Daybreak I shall be–” (F 185A, J461) among a type of work Paul Crumbley calls the “bride poem,” and he identifies more than forty of them in Dickinson’s canon. These poems present Dickinson’s description and frequent critique of the popular cultural mythology of marriage, which saw it as essential to female self-completion. Crumbley notes that the majority of these poems “oppose expectation with actual experience,” and “reveal how the reality of marriage falls short of the dream engendered by society.” But he also observes that there are different kinds of brides in Dickinson’s work, including the “Brides of Christ” who enter into a spiritual union with divinity.
There are several allusions to whiteness here, first in the “perfect–pearl” the man uses to bind the woman to him, and next in the prayer that the wife’s soul will prove “A Whiter gift–within,” that is, purer than the expense or excess of pearls, that she will be recognized as an “unadorned” “Queen.” We see a play of external appearance of richness set against an internal “munificence” of soul. But is it a “Dream – too beautiful” to hope for?