Emily Dickinson Poetry Analysis

Blog post 2 due on sample poetry analysis due by midnight -- Choose any one of the sample questions but apply them to Emily Dickinson's poetry.

3. “Poets often withhold certitude, which can at the same time empower readers to think creatively.”
Consider the works of at least two poets you have studied in which ambiguity has enabled readers
to reach their own conclusions about meaning and implications.

Emily Dickinson uses ambiguity within a majority of her poetry. She often leaves things open ended and forces readers to reach a strong imagination to understand her poetry. A common theme within her pieces has been nature. In a majority of her poetry, she connects concepts of life to nature, however she never blatantly explains these metaphors. These comparisons paint beautiful pictures, however only those who can reader deeper than the words can find these hidden meanings. Dickinson's ability to withhold certitude makes for a more interesting experience as a reader. It makes audiences work harder which in turn makes her pieces more sophisticated and natural. Not everything in life is clear cut, Dickinson acknowledges this in her writing style.

A place where this ambiguity can be located is in Dickinson's poem "Hope Is The Thing With Feathers". This poem creates an analogy for peace, love, hope and nature with a bird flying around the text. This metaphor is never clearly stated, however Dickinson makes it clear. She also leaves it open to interpretation which is interesting for readers as we can create our own meaning for the bird. Also, it leaves us questioning Dickinson's intentions which allows the poem to be our own not only the writer's. In the first stanza, “Hope” is the thing with feathers - /That perches in the soul - /And sings the tune without the words - /And never stops - at all - " Dickinson never states that the feeling of hope resembles the freedom and joy of a bird, however this metaphor can be implied. Also, the balance of pessimism and hope is displayed to again allow readers to interpret the bird themselves. One person could view the bird as naive or unreachable, while others could view it as kind and reliable. These differences are valuable and add character to the poem. She also withholds the speaker's voice until the end. The last stanza, I’ve heard it in the chillest land - /And on the strangest Sea - /Yet - never - in Extremity, /It asked a crumb - of me." Dickinson introduces herself, however the whole poem could be read as internal thought, a note to another person or any other conversation. It creates a story many people can find themselves in.

Another place Dickinson withholds obvious meaning is in the poem, "I dwell in Possibility". The poem deals with the power of poetry and Dickinson's view on the concept. However, Dickinson never uses the word poetry, rather she replaces the word with possibility. This ambiguity allows the reader to explain the meaning of the poem to themselves."I dwell in Possibility – /A fairer House than Prose – /More numerous of Windows – /Superior – for Doors –" This stanza is free for readers to see 'possibility' as many things. Dickinson also withholds a concrete setting. She leaves us to find our own world the poem is in. Dickinson even mentions 'many doors' which implies that there is no setting, but only our own imaginations. Dickinson gives reader's the chance to be creative, which to me makes her a strong poet. Caring about the reader's experience as much as a writer's creates better and stronger literature.