13.

Discuss the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and demonstrate her poetic style in a poem of your
own choice.
Emily Dickinson's Poetry:

Overview:

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) was an American poet known for her distinctive and unconventional
style. She wrote nearly 1,800 poems, most of which were discovered after her death. Dickinson's
poetry explores themes of nature, death, love, and the human consciousness. Her works are often
characterized by their brevity, unconventional punctuation, and unique use of dashes.

Key Characteristics of Dickinson's Poetry:

1. Conciseness and Brevity:

- Dickinson's poems are often short and concise, with a focus on capturing profound ideas and
emotions in a few lines.

2. Unconventional Punctuation:

- Dickinson's use of dashes and unconventional punctuation is a distinctive feature of her style. It
allows for pauses and emphasizes certain words or ideas, contributing to the ambiguity and depth of
her work.

3. Exploration of Death:

- Death is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. She approaches the subject with a mix of
fascination, fear, and curiosity, often exploring the mysteries beyond life.

4. Nature Imagery:

- Dickinson frequently uses nature imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. Nature serves as
a metaphor for the human experience and the mysteries of existence.

5. Unconventional Capitalization:

- Dickinson sometimes capitalizes certain words for emphasis, creating a visual and rhythmic impact
within her poems.

"I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" - Analysis:

Text of the Poem:

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,

And Mourners to and fro

Kept treading – treading – till it seemed

That Sense was breaking through –

And when they all were seated,

A Service, like a Drum –

Kept beating – beating – till I thought

My Mind was going numb –

And then I heard them lift a Box

And creak across my Soul

With those same Boots of Lead, again,

Then Space – began to toll,

As all the Heavens were a Bell,

And Being, but an Ear,

And I, and Silence, some strange Race

Wrecked, solitary, here –

And then a Plank in Reason, broke,

And I dropped down, and down –

And hit a World, at every plunge,

And Finished knowing – then –

Analysis:

1. Structure and Imagery:

- The poem consists of six quatrains with a consistent meter, contributing to its rhythmic flow.

- The funeral metaphor serves as a powerful symbol for the speaker's mental and emotional
breakdown.

2. Tone and Mood:

- The tone is somber and introspective, capturing the intense emotional experience of the speaker.

- The repetition of "treading" and "beating" creates a sense of relentless and oppressive repetition,
mirroring the internal turmoil.

3. Use of Dash and Punctuation:

- Dickinson's use of dashes contributes to a fragmented and disjointed feel, reflecting the speaker's
fractured state of mind.

4. Symbolism:

- The funeral imagery symbolizes the death of the speaker's sanity or a profound internal struggle.

- The tolling of space and the heavens as a bell suggest a cosmic and existential dimension to the
speaker's experience.
5. Theme of Isolation:

- The final stanzas suggest a sense of isolation, as the speaker feels like a "strange Race" wrecked
and solitary.

"I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" exemplifies Emily Dickinson's poetic style through its concise and vivid
imagery, unconventional punctuation, and exploration of complex emotional and existential themes.
The poem invites readers to delve into the inner workings of the human mind and the profound
impact of mental and emotional turmoil.