Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Dedication" by Elinor Wylie, the speaker reflects on the formative experience of being introduced to the English language, contemplating both the nurturing and transformative qualities of the language that shaped her childhood. Through rich, intricate metaphors and reverent language, Wylie explores the spiritual and intellectual sustenance provided by language, particularly English, and its deep connection to her own development. The poem is both a celebration and a meditation on the power of language as a gift and a source of identity, while also acknowledging the limitations of what the speaker can offer in return.

The poem opens with the speaker’s memory of receiving a primer at the age of seven. This primer is depicted as “the immaculate bosom of the mother-tongue,” with the language likened to milk, a nourishing substance flowing to the infant dreamer. The metaphor of the “mother-tongue” emphasizes the maternal, life-giving nature of language, suggesting that the speaker’s relationship with English began as one of dependency and growth. The "balsam" and "honied surface" further underscore the nurturing, healing qualities of language, as it provides sustenance not only for the body but also for the imagination. The image of the “silver skimmer / Of natural love” selecting the "cream" of the language conveys the idea that language, in its most pure and formative form, was a natural and almost magical process, cultivating the best of the speaker’s youth and creativity.

However, there is a sense of loss introduced as well. The “cup of pearls dissolving into dimmer” evokes the gradual fading of childhood innocence and clarity, a theme that runs throughout the poem. This early idealized relationship with language, represented by the metaphor of a “breast of twin benevolent moons,” fades as the speaker grows older and the world becomes more complex. The “conduit / Whose veins are threaded with pellucid truth” speaks to the purity of the language at that early stage—truth that was clear and direct, like water in a stream. But the transition to adulthood, the "hungry coffin" that awaits, signifies the inevitable loss of that clarity and the innocence of the earlier connection with language. Despite this, the speaker acknowledges that even in adulthood, a drop of youth—a remnant of that original purity—will persist, embodied in the “elegy upon my lips.” This elegy represents both the grief for lost innocence and the honoring of that formative influence in her life.

The poem continues with the speaker’s gratitude for the language’s influence. “I would that my possessions were the proper / And polished coinage of the stars and suns; / But for the earth I give you farthing bronze,” reflects the speaker’s understanding that while she may not have grand offerings to give in return for the richness of the language, she still recognizes its value. The image of “farthing bronze” and "copper" stands in contrast to the celestial coinage of the stars, indicating the speaker’s awareness of her mortal limitations and the humble offering she can provide. The “fumes fallen from your ceremonial supper” is another metaphor for the profound, almost sacred influence of the language, suggesting that even the remnants of this divine gift—like the fragrance of an old ceremony—still hold significance for the speaker.

The speaker continues to reflect on the power and beauty of the language, acknowledging that her connection to it is both a blessing and a duty. The phrase “She is your vassal while she is a woman” implies that, as a woman, the speaker recognizes her submission to the language and its tradition, which is larger than herself. There is a deep reverence for the language, and this submission is not seen as a form of weakness, but rather as a form of honor, linking the speaker to something greater than her own identity.

Throughout the poem, the language is described as both a source of intellectual and emotional nourishment. “This was nourishment and wine and physic!” Here, the speaker celebrates the way in which language nurtured her—like food, drink, and medicine—offering her both pleasure and healing. The phrase “a proud extravagance of giving” suggests that the gift of language was lavish and generous, and the speaker is profoundly aware of the privilege of receiving it.

The speaker ends the poem with a sense of humility and gratitude, acknowledging that the only thing she can offer in return for this immense gift of language is “the dull mortal homage of the mind.” This phrase reflects the speaker’s recognition of her own limitations as a human being, offering her intellectual and creative efforts as a token of gratitude, but ultimately acknowledging that language itself transcends her ability to repay it fully.

“Dedication” is a lyrical exploration of the relationship between the individual and the language that shapes them. Wylie uses metaphor to convey the way language nourishes, transforms, and defines identity, while also reflecting on the inevitable passage of time and the loss of innocence that comes with growing up. The speaker’s reverence for language is tempered by a recognition of its fleeting nature, and ultimately, the poem becomes an elegy for the purity of that early connection to the mother-tongue. Through this reflection, Wylie meditates on the complex, ever-evolving relationship between the self and the language that shapes its expression.

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