Analysis/Discussion Questions for Poems #466, #479, & #546 (some of the poems that interested me the most from our readings). 🙂

#466 – I really enjoyed this poem specifically because we directly hear about Dickinson’s preference of poetry as opposed to plain writing/prose. She describes poetry as a sort of chamber of possibility and a “fairer house than Prose” (2). There’s more doors, windows, opportunity, the roof for creativity and expression is seemingly limitless. I felt a certain passion from this poem that is very inspiring and beautiful. One of the lines that struck me the most was “impregnable of eye” (6). Poetry’s “chambers” are so boundless that the human eye can not definitively define them. As someone who wasn’t very fond of poetry before this course, I can say it has definitely grown on me and this poem helped me learn to love it even more. I do have a question about this poem for discussion though- I interpreted the poem as saying Dickinson prefers poetry to prose. Is it possible that she views prose as more limited and definitive as a literary art form, or is it simply just a preference?

#479 – Just a few questions for discussion in this one because I feel like “Death” in this poem is being personified in a couple different ways- It starts off by speaking of his kindness, and how he was in no rush on this “carriage ride.” However, later in the poem includes imagery of the “Dews drew quivering and chill” as he passes. How is “Death” meant to be perceived in this poem, what is Dickinson trying to say about it? Why is immortality introduced at the beginning of this poem, and then eternity is brought in at the end, what’s the significance of this, if any?

#546 – My main questions for this poem are surrounding Dickinson’s opinion on religion. With the line “I prayed, at first, a little Girl, Because they told me to -” (1-2), it appears to be discussing childhood faith and how it can be forced upon the young. It reminds me of how we were talking about the “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer in class the other day, and how when you say it now, it sounds a bit creepy and unsettling in a few ways. What is Dickinson trying to say about this here, if anything?