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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not a really experienced poem reader, but even I can tell that masterpieces are masterpieces.
Dickinson's poems are beautifully written and the themes that she chose to write (time, love, hate, nature, etc.) were all portrayed perfectly. She's like an artist using words as the paintbrush to create some really outstanding scenes. I also love the fact that everything she writes about are always from her life experiences so that there's a lot of substance in addition to the elegant appearance of her poems. Some poems are actually very philosophical (she talks of eternity quite frequently) which makes them thought provoking too.
In terms of form, I've noticed that she writes a lot of 4-line-stanza poems and that often the second and fourth line would rhyme. She's not particularly ambitious with her form but I still very much appreciate the ingenuity of the way she puts lines together.
Some excerpts that I love:
"I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity."
"Nor was I hungry; so I found
That hunger was a way
Of persons outside windows,
The entering takes away."
Absolutely amazing.
Dickinson's poems are beautifully written and the themes that she chose to write (time, love, hate, nature, etc.) were all portrayed perfectly. She's like an artist using words as the paintbrush to create some really outstanding scenes. I also love the fact that everything she writes about are always from her life experiences so that there's a lot of substance in addition to the elegant appearance of her poems. Some poems are actually very philosophical (she talks of eternity quite frequently) which makes them thought provoking too.
In terms of form, I've noticed that she writes a lot of 4-line-stanza poems and that often the second and fourth line would rhyme. She's not particularly ambitious with her form but I still very much appreciate the ingenuity of the way she puts lines together.
Some excerpts that I love:
"I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity."
"Nor was I hungry; so I found
That hunger was a way
Of persons outside windows,
The entering takes away."
Absolutely amazing.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Emily Dickinson's poetry is an immediately striking insight into the nuances of the human condition. Each poem masterfully conveys the multitude of mindscapes contained in Dickinson herself; whilst her innovative form and structure add to the complexity and depth of her ideas.
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
I have been fascinated with poetry for as long as I remember; I have always had this urge to be one of those individuals who could discuss verses and stanzas that are bustling with complexity and meanings that only someone with a profound knowledge of life would be able to discover. I never thought I had the intellectual capabilities to be one of them - hence why it took me so long to actually pick up a poetry collection, which has to be one of my deepest regrets in life. But what I don't regret (and who possibly could?) is choosing Emily Dickinson as my first ever dive into the world of poetry, and I knew that the instant I read the above poem. I fell in love - quite literally. I don't think any other poem has touched my heart and soul as much as this has, despite it being one of her more known works. The beauty of these words, weaven so intricately together, however, tell the tale of someone who was kind, genuine, empathetic; someone who knows they can't take away the world's sorrows, but would want to, if given the chance. (which is so incredibly wholesome)
Emily Dickinson's poetry is calming - soothing, in fact. You read pages upon pages and feel all your worries fade away into nothingness. I think that was the most beautiful part of my reading experience; whenever I felt distressed beyond compare, I knew I could seek refuge in her poems & find myself in eternal peace. She describes everything with such vigour and wonder that you cannot help but fall deep in the abyss of her words. Being a poetry novice, I do not know what else to say - except share another one of her poems that I truly loved; in hopes that you do too, and decide to pick up this work of art without a second thought.
A murmur in the trees to note,
Not loud enough for wind;
A star not far enough to seek,
Nor near enough to find;
A long, long yellow on the lawn,
A hubbub as of feet;
Not audible, as ours to us,
But dapperer, more sweet;
A hurrying home of little men
To houses unperceived, —
All this, and more, if I should tell,
Would never be believed.
Of robins in the trundle bed
How many I espy
Whose nightgowns could not hide the wings,
Although I heard them try!
But then I promised ne'er to tell;
How could I break my word?
So go your way and I'll go mine, —
No fear you'll miss the road.
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
I have been fascinated with poetry for as long as I remember; I have always had this urge to be one of those individuals who could discuss verses and stanzas that are bustling with complexity and meanings that only someone with a profound knowledge of life would be able to discover. I never thought I had the intellectual capabilities to be one of them - hence why it took me so long to actually pick up a poetry collection, which has to be one of my deepest regrets in life. But what I don't regret (and who possibly could?) is choosing Emily Dickinson as my first ever dive into the world of poetry, and I knew that the instant I read the above poem. I fell in love - quite literally. I don't think any other poem has touched my heart and soul as much as this has, despite it being one of her more known works. The beauty of these words, weaven so intricately together, however, tell the tale of someone who was kind, genuine, empathetic; someone who knows they can't take away the world's sorrows, but would want to, if given the chance. (which is so incredibly wholesome)
Emily Dickinson's poetry is calming - soothing, in fact. You read pages upon pages and feel all your worries fade away into nothingness. I think that was the most beautiful part of my reading experience; whenever I felt distressed beyond compare, I knew I could seek refuge in her poems & find myself in eternal peace. She describes everything with such vigour and wonder that you cannot help but fall deep in the abyss of her words. Being a poetry novice, I do not know what else to say - except share another one of her poems that I truly loved; in hopes that you do too, and decide to pick up this work of art without a second thought.
A murmur in the trees to note,
Not loud enough for wind;
A star not far enough to seek,
Nor near enough to find;
A long, long yellow on the lawn,
A hubbub as of feet;
Not audible, as ours to us,
But dapperer, more sweet;
A hurrying home of little men
To houses unperceived, —
All this, and more, if I should tell,
Would never be believed.
Of robins in the trundle bed
How many I espy
Whose nightgowns could not hide the wings,
Although I heard them try!
But then I promised ne'er to tell;
How could I break my word?
So go your way and I'll go mine, —
No fear you'll miss the road.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
An absolutely massive collection. Beautifully written and surprising how succinctly Dickinson can capture a feeling and awareness of mortality. Some poems did contain some references which I didn’t understand but that’s to be expected.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Emily Dickinson's poetry is stunningly existential and her story is equally fascinating. Such a great collection to dip in and out of, and no-one writes a striking opening line quite like her.