Emily Dickinson Study Guide

In "There's a Certain Slant of Light", in what ways does the winter light affect people? What does this light seem to represent to the speaker?

It should make people feel bubbly and happy. But, the light makes her feel heavy and it oppresses her. (which represents her own mortality)

What's a consonance in "There's a Certain Slant of Light"?

breath and death there's a certain slant of light

What is the tone in "I heard a Fly Buzz When I Died"?

conflicted tension

What is the main theme of "There's a Certain Slant of Light"?

nature can sometimes leave us feeling lonely and emotionally vulnerable

What happens after the soul makes her choice? What adjectives would you use to characterize the speaker based on the choice?

she shuts people out and that means she's done with everything.

In "The Soul Selects her own society", what leaves the soul "unmoved"? How would you describe the soul's attitude toward the world's attractions?

the chariots leaves the soul "unmoved". The soul's attitude is very careless.

What comparison does the speaker make in "The Brain is wider than the sky"?

the comparison is that the brain is wider than the sky because it has so many different possibilities.

In "Because I could not stop for Death", which of the following best describes how the structure of the poem contributes to its meaning?

the poem's absence of rhyme shows that the speaker is carefree about death

In "Because I could not stop for Death", what three scenes does the carriage pass in stanza three?

the school, the fields, and setting sun. this represents their whole day during morning, noon, and night.

In "The Soul Selects her own Society", the poet uses the phrase "shuts the door". Which of the following most accurately explains this phrase?

the soul shuts the door to all others after choosing what she wants

In "Because I could not stop for Death", which statement best describes how the setting in stanza 4 impacts the meaning of the poem?

the speaker describes her tomb as a "house", showing she views her body's final resting place as one of comfort rather than fear