ClassX Video Lessons Before I Got My Eye Put Out – The Poetry of Emily Dickinson: English Literature #8
Emily Dickinson was a famous American poet from the 19th century, known for her unique style and reclusive lifestyle. Even though she didn’t interact much with the public, her poetry has left a lasting mark on American literature. Let’s dive into her poems, the themes she explored, and the intriguing aspects of her life.
Joyce Carol Oates once called Dickinson “the most paradoxical of poets,” a description that many find fitting. Her poems often contain contradictions, making them complex and thought-provoking. For example, in “Faith is a fine invention,” she both critiques and values faith. This duality shows her complicated views on faith, science, and the human experience.
Dickinson often wrote about sight, linking it to power and self-awareness. In her poem “I heard a fly buzz when I died,” the narrator’s inability to see at the moment of death highlights a deeper struggle with existence. The play on words between “I” and “eye” in her work emphasizes how perception shapes identity. Her focus on sight often touches on themes of control and self-expression, especially in a time when women’s voices were often ignored.
Born in 1830 in Massachusetts, Emily Dickinson came from a well-known family. Her father was a U.S. congressman, and she spent most of her life in Amherst. Death was a recurring theme in her poetry, and between 1858 and 1865, she wrote nearly 800 poems. Despite her prolific writing, she became more reclusive, often speaking to visitors through closed doors. Only a few of her poems were published while she was alive, with her sister finding over 1,800 poems after her death.
Dickinson’s choice to wear white is often linked to her reclusive nature. However, for her, white symbolized passion and intensity, not innocence or purity. She once said, “Dare you see a soul at the white heat? Then crouch within the door,” suggesting that life’s true essence is vibrant, even in solitude.
One of Dickinson’s most famous poems, known as Poem 465, starts with “I heard a fly buzz when I died.” It describes the quietness of a room as the speaker nears death, surrounded by loved ones. The unexpected arrival of a fly, with its “blue – uncertain – stumbling buzz,” disrupts the calm, symbolizing life’s unpredictability and the inevitability of death.
Dickinson’s use of dashes is a distinctive feature of her poetry, adding complexity to her thoughts. In “I heard a fly buzz,” the changing meter and rhyme scheme create a rhythm that enhances the poem’s emotional depth. The final full rhyme provides closure, contrasting with the earlier unsettling slant rhymes.
Emily Dickinson’s poetry challenges readers to explore deep themes of life, death, faith, and identity. Her paradoxical nature and creative language continue to captivate audiences. By studying her work, we uncover the rich tapestry of human experience that Dickinson so skillfully wove into her poems.
How does Emily Dickinson’s reclusive lifestyle influence your understanding of her poetry and the themes she explores?
In what ways do you think the paradoxical nature of Dickinson’s poetry, as described by Joyce Carol Oates, reflects the complexities of human experience?
Discuss how the themes of sight and self-awareness in Dickinson’s poetry resonate with your own experiences of perception and identity.
What insights do you gain from Dickinson’s use of white as a symbol of passion and intensity, and how does this contrast with traditional interpretations of the color?
Reflect on the significance of the fly in “I heard a fly buzz when I died.” How does this symbol shape your understanding of life’s unpredictability and the inevitability of death?
How does Dickinson’s use of dashes and her distinctive structure contribute to the emotional depth and complexity of her poetry?
In what ways does Dickinson’s exploration of faith and science in her poetry challenge or affirm your own beliefs?
Consider the impact of Dickinson’s poetry on American literature. How do her themes and style continue to influence contemporary writers and poets?
Choose one of Emily Dickinson’s poems, such as “I heard a fly buzz when I died,” and analyze its themes, structure, and use of literary devices. Discuss with your classmates how Dickinson’s use of dashes and slant rhymes contributes to the poem’s meaning. Present your findings in a creative format, such as a digital presentation or a short video.
Write a poem inspired by Emily Dickinson’s style. Focus on using dashes and slant rhymes to convey complex emotions or ideas. Consider themes such as identity, perception, or the paradoxes of life. Share your poem with the class and discuss how Dickinson’s influence is reflected in your work.
Engage in a debate where you take on the role of Emily Dickinson or a contemporary critic. Discuss the value of faith versus science, drawing on Dickinson’s poem “Faith is a fine invention.” Use evidence from her poetry to support your arguments and explore the duality of her views.
Create a piece of visual art that represents the symbolism of white in Emily Dickinson’s life and poetry. Consider how white symbolizes passion and intensity rather than innocence. Present your artwork to the class and explain how it captures the essence of Dickinson’s use of color symbolism.
Research the historical and cultural context of the 19th century, focusing on the role of women and the literary scene during Emily Dickinson’s time. Create a timeline or infographic that highlights key events and figures that may have influenced Dickinson’s writing. Share your findings with the class to provide a deeper understanding of her work.
Poetry – A literary form that uses rhythmic and aesthetic qualities of language to evoke meanings and emotions. – Emily Dickinson’s poetry often explores themes of nature and immortality.
Themes – The central topics or ideas explored in a literary work. – The themes of love and sacrifice are prevalent in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
Identity – The qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make a person or group unique, often explored in literature to understand characters and cultures. – In “The Catcher in the Rye,” Holden Caulfield struggles with his identity as he transitions from adolescence to adulthood.
Death – A common motif in literature that explores the end of life and its implications for characters and narratives. – In “Hamlet,” the theme of death is central to the play’s exploration of revenge and morality.
Faith – Belief or trust in something, often explored in literature as a theme related to religion, hope, or conviction. – In “Life of Pi,” Pi’s faith is tested as he survives on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.
Sight – The ability to see, often used metaphorically in literature to represent understanding or insight. – In “Oedipus Rex,” the theme of sight and blindness underscores the protagonist’s journey to self-awareness.
Symbolism – The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities in literature, adding deeper meaning to the narrative. – The green light in “The Great Gatsby” is a powerful piece of symbolism representing Gatsby’s unattainable dreams.
Reclusive – Describing a person who lives in seclusion or apart from society, often a characteristic of certain literary characters. – Boo Radley is a reclusive figure in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” shrouded in mystery and rumors.
Paradoxical – Seemingly self-contradictory or absurd, yet possibly true, often used in literature to provoke thought or highlight complexities. – The paradoxical nature of time in “Slaughterhouse-Five” challenges the reader’s perception of reality.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, encompassing a wide range of genres and styles. – Studying literature allows us to explore diverse cultures, histories, and human experiences.
