Emily Dickinson Poetry
Complete this opening line to an Emily Dickinson poem: Water is ...
"Water is taught by thirst" (Poem 135).
Which Whitman poem celebrates the self and the individual's connection with the universe?
"Song of Myself."
What is the central paradox in Dickinson's poem "Water is taught by thirst"?
The paradox is that we understand the value of something only through its absence or the lack of it, much like how thirst teaches us the value of water.
In "Song of Myself," what does Whitman mean by the phrase "I celebrate myself"?
Whitman is celebrating individuality, the human spirit, and its connection to the universe.
Which poetic form is commonly used by Emily Dickinson, marked by short lines and slant rhymes?If you don't know the name, what type of punctuation is she known for?
Dickinson often uses hymn meter (common meter), typically alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter.
Her unconventional use of dashes.
What does Emily Dickinson mean in her poem where she compares faith to an invention?
“Faith” is a fine invention
For Gentlemen who see—
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.
Any contribution and participation counts for this.
In which poem does Whitman reflect on the experience of crossing a ferry in Brooklyn and the connection between people? What did you notice about this poem?
Crossing Brooklyn Ferry. Anything they noticed counts.
What theme is explored in Dickinson’s poem "Faith is a fine invention"?
Emily Dickinson is playfully saying that it is easy to have faith when the proof is there for all to see, for example, you might believe something is true if you can see it with your own eyes. However, in the next 2 lines she is stating that mankind is skeptical by nature and having a tool like a microscope which helps one to see the "invisible" or less apparent proofs is sometimes very necessary.
What is one symbolic meaning of the ferry in "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry"? What word appears the most in this poem: 'you', 'just', or 'others.'
Walt Whitman's poem "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" explores themes of human connection, shared experiences, and the continuity of nature and brotherhood. The ferry symbolizes the transition between different realms—physical and spiritual—and the eternal connection between people across time.
"you"
Which distinctive feature of Whitman’s style is most apparent in "Song of Myself"?
Whitman’s use of free verse, lacking a regular rhyme and meter, and his long, flowing lines.
Explain what Emily Dickinson is writing about in "Wild nights" (Poem 249).
"Wild nights" (Poem 249) can be read as a poem about the simultaneous wildness and comfort of sexual intimacy. The speaker's beloved never actually appears in the poem; the whole thing is simply the speaker imagining how great things would be if the beloved were there.
In which poem does Whitman use the rhythm of drums to convey the urgency of war?
"Beat! Beat! Drums!"
What themes does the title of "Wild Nights" symbolize?
The "wild nights" symbolize an uninhibited longing for freedom and passion.
Which of Whitman's poems is the longest poem in his book Leaves of Grass, and it is considered to be his most influential work?
"Song of Myself"
How does Emily Dickinson use punctuation in her poems to convey meaning?
Dickinson is known for her use of dashes, which create pauses, ambiguity, and suggestive openings for interpretation.
In Dickinson's "There's a certain slant of light" (Poem 258), how would you describe how she's feeling?
There’s a certain Slant of light’ has several main themes. These include nature and the importance of its meaning, God/religion/spirituality, alienation and loneliness, and death.
Which Whitman poem describes the movement and strength of cavalry, emphasizing the idea of war? Additionally, what characteristics (descriptive) does Whitman use to paint this picture?
"Cavalry Crossing A Ford." Colors, sound, emotion, light (any of these or additional).
In "There’s a certain Slant of light," what feelings does the slant of light represent? Additionally, what is the term for the sadness many feel during colder winter months?
The light represents a feeling of oppression or melancholy, a metaphor for existential despair or grief.
Seasonal depression.
In "Beat! Beat! Drums!", what do the drums symbolize?
The drums symbolize the harsh and intrusive nature of war, disrupting peace and calling for action.
Cataloging in poetry is a literary device that involves listing people, places, things, or ideas to create a poem. How does Whitman use cataloging in "Song of Myself"?
Whitman uses catalogs, or long lists, to create a sense of inclusivity and expansiveness, highlighting the diversity of human experience.
You have 60 seconds, to speak out (slam poetry style) about how you feel right now. Try to make it short, similar to Emily Dickinson's style.
Good job!
You are now invited to read this poem out loud for the class being as enthusiastic as possible: "As I lay with my head in your lap, Camerado. (...)" Now, tell us what you think, and nominate another person to give their thoughts as well.
Good job! Both of you!
In the poem "A bird came down the walk," what does the bird symbolize? If you were a bird, what kind of bird would you be and why?
The bird symbolizes freedom, nature, and the delicate balance between the natural world and human perception. P.S. Nice choice of bird.
Truth or Dare.
If you said Truth: What do you hate about Walt Whitman's work?
If you said Dare: Tell the class the last thing you either READ/LISTENED TO/WATCHED. What do you think Whitman would think of this book/song/media if he were here today?
Which blonde female American singer-songwriter is related to Emily Dickinson? Hint: Kanye West
How is poetry related to music, who is your favorite artist and would their work succeed as poetry?
Swift and Dickinson are sixth cousins, three times removed. Swift and Dickinson both descend from a 17th century English immigrant who helped settle Windsor, Connecticut, eventually becoming Swift's 9th great-grandfather and Dickinson's 6th great-grandfather.