Earthly Pride by Ella Wheeler Wilcox - Poetry: The Best Words in the Best Order - #BlogchatterA2ZChallenge2021
EARTHLY PRIDE BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX
How baseless is the mightiest earthly pride
The diamond is but charcoal purified,
The lordliest pearl that decks a monarch's breast
Is but an insect's sepulchre at best.
The Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850 -1919)
American poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox was born in Wisconsin to a family that believed in encouraging literary pursuits. Hence, she turned into an avid reader at a young age, devouring newspapers and books. She published her first poem at the age of fourteen and was acknowledged as a poet by the time she completed high school. Later in life, she turned to writing fiction as well.
Ella is best known for another poem titled 'Solitude' from which the following lines are oft-quoted, with most people not knowing their source.
"Laugh, and the world laughs with you,
Weep, and you weep alone."
'Solitude' was written after a certain train journey where Ella found a woman clad in black, weeping in distress. She spent time with her, offering her words of consolation, However, the experience affected her so deeply that it resulted in the poem which shone because of the above lines.
'Earthly Pride' is a short poem, consisting of only four lines, but it conveys a wealth of meaning. The poet talks of the futility of pride, even the mightiest version of it on earth.
She goes on to say that the diamond, priceless as it seems, is only a purified version of carbon that transforms itself under high temperatures and pressure.
Likewise, the most elegant and stately pearl that adorns the chest of a king also comes from an oyster, an insect's sepulchre or tomb.
The poet uses succinct language and evocative imagery to express her views against harbouring the sin of pride, or arrogance, which is a higher degree of pride. What is fascinating is how she says this in few words, proving the adage that poetry is the best words in the best order, echoing the theme of my challenge.
Reading this poem for the 1st time. I fell in love with the poem and your beautiful analysis.
ReplyDeleteWow very deep lines explained very well ma'am❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Latha! I am happy that you enjoyed the poem and my explanation! <3
DeleteHow wonderful it is to have you compliment my analysis along with the beauty of the poem! Thank you so much, Purba!
ReplyDeleteThe first thought that came to my mind is all that glitters is not gold. What a powerful imagery from Ella.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Suchita. Four simple lines, a wealth of meaning! That us true poetry.
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