Question

Choose one poetic element that Dickinson uses in either "This is my letter to the world", or "Because I would not stop for Death". Describe how she uses that element to develop the theme. Your response should be at least 200 words.

Answer 1

In her poem "This is my letter to the world," Emily Dickinson speaks to the world. She says that although she has addressed the world (maybe the Earth, or humanity), the world has never replied. However, she does not feel disheartened. She continues to communicate and only asks the world to be kind to her. The theme of the poem is one of loneliness, and at the same time, of belonging to home. It highlights Dickinson's sense of belonging to the world of her "sweet countrymen," but also how inconsequential this world finds her presence.

One of the poetic elements in the poem is the personification of Nature. Dickinson writes:

"The simple news that Nature told,

With tender majesty."

Nature cannot "tell" anything, but she is giving it human qualities in her poem. She says that nature told her news majestically. By saying that, she contrasts the world, never talking to her, and nature, communicating beautifully. Nature has treated her with kindness and generosity by addressing her, as opposed to the world, which has mostly ignored her. In this way, she establishes her relationship with nature as an ally and a driving force for her actions. Nature has also been her link to the world. By giving nature these human qualities, she establishes the role that nature has played in her belonging to the world, but also in her sense of isolation. In this way, it relates to the theme of belonging to a "home."