Literary Elements Employed by Emily Dickinson To understand Dickinson, it is important to multi-draft read First Reading –Literal comprehension Second.

Literary Elements

Employed by Emily Dickinson

To understand Dickinson, it is important to multi-draft read

• First Reading– Literal comprehension

• Second Reading– Look for elliptical phrasing, slant rhyme, exact

rhyme and paradox

• Third Reading– Interpret the meaning of the poem

Elliptical Phrasing

• Leaving out words that are expected to be understood– To UNDERSTAND, reread– While rereading, mentally fill in omitted words– Use a graphic organizer to clarify meaning

Elliptical Phrasing

Original LineWater, is taught by thirst

Possible Meaning

Water is taught something by thirst.

Probable Meaning

The concept of water is taught to us by thirst.

Original LineFor only Gossamer, my Gown

Possible Meaning

For only of gossamer (thin cloth) was my gown made

Probable Meaning

Her dress is so thin

Slant Rhyme

• Rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of stressed syllables are identical, as in eyes, light; years, yours.

• Dickinson uses slant rhyme to make her poetry surprising

Slant Rhyme

I’ve known her-from an ample nation-

Choose One-

Then-close the Valves of her attention-

Like Stone-

The final sounds are similar but not identical

Slant Rhyme

I heard a fly buzz-when I died-

The Stillness in the Room

Was like the Stillness in the Air-

Between the Heavens of storm-

The final sounds are similar but not identical

Exact Rhyme

• Rhyme in which two or more words have identical sounds in their final stressed syllables.– One/ Begun

Exact Rhyme

I’ve known her-from an ample nation-

Choose One-

Then-close the Valves of her attention-

Like Stone-

Two words have identical sounds in their final stressed syllables

Paradox

• Statement that seems contradictory but actually presents a truth

Paradox

My life closed twice before its close-

How could her life close (die) two times before she died???

This appears contradictory

Where is the truth?

Paradox

The Brain is deeper than the sea-

How is the brain deeper that the sea???

This appears contradictory

Where is the truth?

“Because I Could Not Stop For Death” (408-409)

1.Who are the important characters?

2. How does the poet represent Death?

3. Summarize lines 14-16 in your own words. (Use elliptical phrasing.)

4.Define surmised.

Answers

1. Death and speaker

2. As a kind and polite gentleman- where he states drives slowly with no haste

3. The dews chilled me and caused shivering, because my gown was only gossamer and my tippet was only tulle.

4. Guessed, concluded

“I Heard a Fly Buzz-When I Died”(411)

1.What two words form a slant rhyme in the first stanza and what is the effect?

2.What actions has the speaker taken in preparation for death?

3. Why is there stillness in the room?

Answers

1. Room and Storm – one of surprise

2. Wills away keepsakes and worldly goods.

3. People are waiting for the speaker’s final moment

Allusion-from that last onset-when the King/ be witnessed in the room

“There’s a Certain Slant of Light”(412)

1.Define affliction

2. What is the image of the late-afternoon winter light symbolizing?

3. What is the major focus of this poem that a lesson can be learned?

4. Summarize the poem in one sentence.

Answers

1. Anything causing pain or distress

2. A person thinking death

3. Nature

4. A winter day reminds the speaker of her mortality.

“Soul Selects Her Own Society” (414)

1. Which words create slant rhyme in the second stanza and what is the effect?

2. Define ample.

3. What leaves the soul “unmoved?”

Answers

1. Gate and mat – surprise and interest

2. Large in size; more than enough

3. Chariots and emperors leave the soul unmoved.

“The Brain Is Wider Than The Sky”(415)

1. What does the speaker compare the brain to?

2. What is the paradox in the first stanza? (Explain in your own words)

3. In the second stanza, which words create an exact rhyme?

Answers

1. To the sky, to the sea, and to God

2. The small human brain can contain, or conceive of, the most immense concepts.

3. Blue and do

“Water is Taught by Thirst”(417)

1. Using elliptical phrasing, what can you conclude is the message of this poem?

2. What might the birds in the last line symbolize?

Answers

1. Opposites teach about each other.

2. The return of the spring, which represent the opposite of winter’s snow.