Emily Dickinson's Publication Is The Auction

Emily Dickinson, an American poet, was a reclusive individual who valued the privacy of herself and her work earnestly. She is commonly known as eccentric poet that veered to concentrate her poetry on topics such as mortality, nature, and suffering, and is posthumously praised for them. Publication is the Auction, strays from Dickinson’s usual themes, provides insight into her conflicted character, and showcases her viewpoint that publication is a criminal offense against the mind. The first stanza of Publication is the Auction is initiated with a battle cry from Dickinson. The word “publication” is loudly separated by a dash to indicate the central focus of the poem and provides the reader with a paused moment to personally define the

Dickinson states, “Thought belong to Him who gave it --,” and presents the notion that all human thought is owned by God and that God is the individual that allows and gives us freedom of thought. If one was to publish the work that they produce and bear, they would be committing plagiarism as the words they would claim as their own would actually be God’s words, furthermore strengthening Dickinson’s case that publication is an evil and sinful act. The second half of the stanza states “Then – to Him Who bear It’s Corporeal illustration – sell The Royal air,” and Dickinson’s conflicted character is furthermore put on display. These lines are juxtaposed with the first as terms such as “corporeal” and “royal air” are used. Typically, when referring to God, one does not mix ideas of the flesh and royalty as they represent two the seven deadly sins, lust and greed. The bottom half of this stanza reads that the selling of one’s thoughts is essentially the selling of one’s body and therefore the concept of publication is basically prostitution, an act that is continuously seen in society as gross and dishonorable. Additionally, the idea of publishing is compared to selling for royalty. Implying that there is no good intention with the publication of one’s work other than to receive high praise and to be raised above