selected poetry by emily dickinson introducing the poems with literary analysis: author’s style...
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Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
Introducing the Poemswith
Literary Analysis: Author’s Style
Reading Strategy: Reading Dickinson’s Poetry
VIDEO TRAILER
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
loss.
INTRODUCING THE POEMS
What are life’s ESSENTIAL TRUTHS?
Love, Joy,death.
When you focus on life’s real meaning, you explore its essential truths.
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
INTRODUCING THE POEMS
What are life’s ESSENTIAL TRUTHS?
For instance, in the poems you are about to read, Emily Dickinson has a great deal to say about death and dying.
These truths, of course, are the natural focus of poets.
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
But does she—or any other poet—speak for you?
What do you think about such weighty matters as death, success, and solitude?
INTRODUCING THE POEMS
What are life’s ESSENTIAL TRUTHS?
What is your truth?
Emily Dickinson
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
INTRODUCING THE POEMS
QUICKWRITE Create your own top-five list of life’s essential truths.
Begin with number five and work your way up to number one.
Feel free to express your truths in statements, phrases, questions, or any form you want.
What are life’s ESSENTIAL TRUTHS?
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
Click on the title to play the trailer.
The Soul selects her own
Society
and
Because I could not stop for
Death
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
Author’s Style
Emily Dickinson’s style is as unique and personal as her observations about the world.
Here are some of the distinctive stylistic elements you will find in Dickinson’s poetry:
1. dense quatrains, or four-line stanzas, that echo the simple rhythms of church hymns
2. slant rhymes, or wordsthat do not exactly rhyme (“chill” / “Tulle”)
tulle
chill
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
Author’s Style
3. inventive punctuation and sentence structure, including the use of dashes to highlight important words and break up the rhythm of her poems
4. irregular capitalization and inverted syntax to emphasize words
—dying— the Door
Selected Poetry by Emily DickinsonSelected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
5. surprisingly unconventionalfigurative language, including similes, metaphors, and personification
Author’s Style
As you read, think about the effect of these style elements in Dickinson’s poems.
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
Reading Dickinson’s Poetry
• The first time, read for an overallimpression. Pause when you encounter dashes, and be aware of the poem’s rhythm.
To get the most out of Dickinson’s poetry, try reading each poem three times.
• The second time, note the use ofimagery and figurative language. Pay attention to the words capitalized for emphasis.
• The third time, read the poem aloud. Think about what theimagery and figurative language convey about the meaning.
Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson
Use a chart like the one shown for each poem.
Reading Dickinson’s Poetry
Jot down your thoughts and ideas after each reading.
Poem has a calm, reflective mood.
3rd Reading
“Because I could not stop for Death”
2nd Reading
Images of death are not frightening.
Poem suggests that death and dying are not frightening.
1st Reading