Analyzing Dickinson

Paper Summary:

This paper opens with the full text of Emily Dickinson's poems #613 and #657. The writer of this paper clearly details the structure of both poems while describing the similarities and differences of content and emotion in both works. This paper also delves into the themes of humanity which the writer contends is Dickinson's way of dealing with the social and cultural restraints that she herself and other women of her time endured. Both poems parallel the female characters' dislike of culture and family attitudes concerning women. This paper also discusses Dickinson's obvious feelings of negativity which appear in both works of writing.

From the Paper:

"Dickinson reinforces the idea that poetry is superior to prose in poem 657. In the opening line, she refers to poetry as "Possibility". An excellent word to encompass her intent. Poetry equals possibility. With poetry, anything is possible; your limits are drawn by your own mind. She then goes on to compare prose and poetry with the use of a house as a symbol. In every comparison she uses, poetry fairs better; more windows, superior doors, better rooms, a better roof, better visitors, and poetry fairs better at helping one find paradise. It is easy to distinguish which form of writing Dickinson thinks more highly of. In both poems we can sense the negativity towards her own life and how she overcomes that through her poetry."

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