FAME IS A FICKLE FOOD (Arts and Culture)

By: EMILY DICKINSON

Published: in 1659

Source: The Poems of Emily Dickinson Edited by R. W. Franklin (Harvard University Press, 1999)

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52134/fame-is-a-fickle-food-1702

Summary:

This is the second poem that Dickerson writes about fame; they are both very short ones but have very powerful meanings and warnings within those short lines. The poem starts off with “Fame is a fickle food Upon a shifting plate”. The word "fickle" is used as an adjective to modify food, which is the metaphor for fame.This is especially important in context of "a shifting plate" because it identifies the relationship fame has with its surroundings ... and what it (fame) is judged against. This to say, fame is arrogantly changeable, yet unmanageable because it is only judged within things it cannot change. It's ironic. The next line talks about the plates which hold those fickle foods and how the tables the first time around had guests but not the second time. Basically saying that fame changes a lot ,you may have it one day, and not the next. The second half of the poem talks about how the second time at the table there are no guests, only crows coming to inspect the crumbs you leave behind. The next line describes How, when they are done doing their inspections of you they return to their farmers corn. The poem ends with a warning of how men eat of fame and die from it.

Response: After reading this poem I think it was very well structured and had a very important message which was delivered precisely. I believe this story is a warning for anyone that has just entered the life of the rich and famous. The part that really stuck with me was the second half about the crows. I feel like those lines are talking about how famous people pay close attention and judge you based on what you leave behind. That line is warning you about the behavior of the rich. When everything is good they flock around you but when you start to lose it watch how they look at your every move. The other meaning to the crow could be That they are smart enough to examine fame before going crazy for it. And when they know fame is not what it looks like, that it is not worth it, they laugh and fly off to the farmer's corn. The crows decide to eat something that is nourishing. This poem implies that only humans are foolish enough to eat fame instead of something worthwhile. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with wanting to be famous or make a lot of money but i don’t think people are properly informed on the risk that comes with all that.

-CN