A Charm Invests A Face by Emily Dickinson
Analysis
"A Charm Invests A Face" refers to Dickinson looking in a mirror with her face covered with a veil. She doesn't want to lift it or her wanted beauty (or spell) might disappear. Some see this as a metaphor for anything which is beautiful in appearance but underneith it is ugly. So we dare not try to look too close.
This is a two stanza poem made up of four lines in each. Like many of Dickinson's writings, she changes up the third line in the stanza. It goes from iambic-triameter in the first and second line to iambic-quatrameter in the fourth and finally back to iambic-triameter to end it.
Johnson number: 421
Poem
A Charm Invests A Face A charm invests a face Imperfectly beheld. The lady dare not lift her veil For fear it be dispelled. But peers beyond her mesh, And wishes, and denies, 'Lest interview annul a want That image satisfies.
Next: A Narrow Fellow in the Grass
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Find out more information about this poem and read others like it.
Nationality
American
Literary Movement
19th Century
Subjects
Beauty
Find out more information about this poem and read others like it.
Nationality
American
Literary Movement
19th Century
Subjects
Beauty