The Soul Unto Itself
In this poem, Dickinson says the soul is sufficient to itself and does not need this outside force.
What is another person?
According to the poem, the soul selects this for itself and then “shuts the Door.”
What is her own society?
This ordinary insect interrupts the speaker’s death scene.
What is a fly?
Dickinson compares fame to this necessary life element.
What is food?
This word describes something related to an empire or an emperor.
What is imperial?
Dickinson describes the soul as having this quality, meaning it is independent and self-contained.
What is self-sufficiency?
Dickinson compares the soul’s decision to exclude others to this common household action.
What is shutting a door?
The speaker hears this sound just before the fly appears.
What is the buzzing of a fly?
The word “fickle” means that fame is this—unreliable and constantly changing.
What is changeable/ unpredictable?
Unlike a king who typically rules a kingdom, this person rules an empire.
What is an emperor?
The poem suggests that even the most powerful force in the universe cannot conquer a soul that possesses this.
What is independence?
Once the soul has chosen her society, Dickinson says she becomes this—“like a ______.”
What is a stone?
Instead of describing a glorious or religious death, Dickinson introduces this small, ordinary creature, creating this literary effect.
What is the anticlimax or irony?
Dickinson says fame is “a fickle food / Upon a ______ plate.”
What is shifting?
A citizen who betrays their country or helps its enemies could be accused of committing this serious crime.
What is treason?
The phrase “The Soul unto itself” emphasizes Dickinson’s belief that the soul can serve as its own ______.
What is company?
The soul rejects even a potential emperor who might be waiting at her gate, showing that she values this over social status.
What is personal choice or selectivity?
The speaker expects to see a “King,” likely suggesting this religious or spiritual possibility after death.
What is God or the afterlife?
Fame may appear desirable, but Dickinson suggests that it ultimately does this to those who pursue it.
What is disappoints / cannot truly satisfy them?
If an enemy captures a soldier and prevents that soldier from leaving, the soldier is being held in this condition
What is captivity?
The poem challenges the idea that happiness or fulfillment must come from other people by presenting the soul as this.
What is self-sufficient / complete within itself?
The poem’s repetition of words such as “one” and “select” emphasizes the soul’s ability to do this.
What is choose who she allows into her life?
The poem ends with the speaker being unable to see because the light fails, leaving the reader uncertain about what happens after this.
What is death/the afterlife?
By comparing fame to food that can be consumed and then become unpleasant, Dickinson criticizes society’s desire for this.
What is public recognition or popularity?
A ruler described as this has the highest authority and is not controlled by another ruler.
What is sovereign?