Dickinson Essay, Research Paper
After reading both ?Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant? by Emily Dickinson and ?Harlem? by Langston Hughes, I determined that the main difference between the two poems is both poets? use of diction. Dickinson makes use of abstract diction in her poem, using words like bright, delight, superb, and dazzle. Using the word ?truth? in itself is an enormous abstraction. Hughes, however, uses more concrete diction, with words such as raisin, fester, sore, meat, and load. These are actual, physical things that exist. I see this as the most significant difference between the two poems.
At first glance, Dickinson?s poem made no sense to me. I then, however, tore it apart and came up with the following explication. Line one basically states ?tell me the whole truth, but don?t be so direct. Don?t just come out and say it.? In line two, when the speaker refers to a circuit, she is most likely comparing the way they tell the truth to the way circuits wind their way around a room, mostly hidden, but getting their job done. Lines three and four are saying the direct truth may be too much to handle, such as the sun may be too bright to look at directly. Lines five and six are telling this person to explain the truth like one might explain lightning to a child, with a kind, soothing tone of voice that?s easy to understand. Lines seven and eight say that the truth must come a little at a time, or gradually, so that it may leave us in some suspense, rather than hitting us all at once and leaving us unable to comprehend the whole truth for what it is. Dickinson?s use of alliteration shows in the poem, especially in lines one, two, four, and seven, where she uses words in pairs, such as tell, truth, success, circuit, the, truth, superb, and surprise.
Dickinson?s style appears almost childlike in its descriptions including fogs and bogs, as well as lively energy expressed by the poem through its use of dashes and brief wording. Dickinson seems to be addressing her spinster, hermit-like existence (I?m nobody) and her preference to it. The poetess seems to relate that her situation has not left her without a sense of humor. Dickinson’s emphasis is less on humor and more on expressing irony. It expresses the quality of brevity and lightness in that it’s composition is full of dashes, with even full sentences broken into short, quick actions that easily roll off of the tongue when spoken aloud (How dreary – to be – Somebody). The technical composition of this poem is two stanzas, however, Dickinson is able to refresh the form with her use of dashes and short words to give it energy and liveliness. She mocks the conventional need for self-importance through publicity (How public – like a Frog – / To tell one’s name – the livelong June -), suggesting that the audience isn’t that interested (/ To an admiring Bog). She instead seems to idealize her solitude by creating the mysterious feeling of a secret society of social outcasts (Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!).
Dickinson also uses an a b c b rime scheme. Langston Hughes?s poem ?Harlem? was bit easier to explicate because of his use of concrete diction. The first line is simply an introduction into the poem, which in itself is a pondering of what happens to a dream when it must be postponed or put off. The main body of the poem goes into detail about what happens to the dream. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Fester like a sore? The whole poem is basically a simile. The author compares this deferred dream to a dried up raisin, a festering sore, rotten meat, syrupy sweetness that?s crusty and sugary, a heavy load that just sags, and finally, does it just explode? He uses very good imagery, and I?m almost able to see this dream being put off, forgotten about, or deteriorating.
Both authors, although using completely different methods, come across very clearly with their main point. While Dickinson is abstract, and Hughes is more concrete with his diction, they both use considerable similes, Hughes more than Dickinson. For example, Hughes uses similes in almost every line of his poem. Dickinson uses only a few, such as ?as lightning to the children?. Dickinson also uses personification, in saying that the truth must dazzle gradually, or using the phrase ?the Truth?s superb surprise?, referring to the truth as a proper noun, giving it human characteristics.
The tone of Dickinson?s poem differs from that of Hughes?s poem in the sense that Hughes?s poem is inquisitive, while Dickinson?s is more commanding. Dickinson uses her ability to write humorously and ironically (as seen in her suggestion of the use of microscopes) to present a firm, controversial opinion into what could be dismissed as an irreverent, inconsequential piece of writing. It can be stated the examples of Emily Dickinson’s work discussed in this essay show the poetess to be highly skilled in the use of humor and irony. The use of these two tools in her poems is to stress a point or idea the poetess is trying to express, rather than being an end in themselves. These two tools allow her to present serious critiques of her society and the place she feels she has been allocated into by masking her concerns in a light-hearted, irreverent tone.
The speaker of ?Tell all the Truth?? is saying exactly that- tell all the truth but tell it slant, while the speaker in ?Harlem? is more contemplative, asking what happens to a dream deferred. The imagery of both poems leaves me with solid pictures in my mind. In ?Tell All The Truth?? the Truth takes on this certain aura, where you feel that experiencing it would be something wonderful, and it would dazzle you to no end. Also, as mentioned above, ?Harlem? creates the picture of a dream deteriorating, in one way or another. Hughes?s use of language easily put these images in front of us for us to see. He simply did not write about black life, he wrote in a way that educated America. He never tried to portray African American life the way some may stereotype it. Hughes related his won personal experience and hardships, and created characters that were true to life and represented the prevalent social themes of the historical time period in which he wrote in. All of his works in someway are relevant to a historical event. All of his works are someway relevant to his life.
Both poets are excellent writers who are able to get the point across using different techniques and descriptive words. This contrast may have to do with the background and influences in each of the poet?s lives. Dickinson was able to be humorous and ironic in her writings while Hughes tended to be more serious. Hughes, coming from a very hard life and experiences, probably did not have the ability or capability of making jokes regarding the situation and events in his works.
Другие работы по теме:
Dickinson 4 Essay Research Paper Emily DickinsonEmily
Dickinson 4 Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson is an important poet principally because of the distinctiveness of her writing. Though only 7 out of her 1,200 poems were published critics still classify her as one of the principle poets of her time. In Dickinson’s life the most important things to her were love, religion, individuality and nature.
DICKINSON Essay Research Paper An Analytical Essay
DICKINSON Essay, Research Paper An Analytical Essay on Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson was a woman who lived in times that are more traditional; her life experiences influence and help us to understand the dramatic and poetic lines in her writing. Although Dickinson?s poetry can often be defined as sad and moody, we can find the use of humor and irony in many of her poems.
DickinsonS And HugheS Poems Comparison Essay Research
Paper Emily Camberg Reading Poetry 124L Paper One 11/8/99 After reading both “Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant” by Emily Dickinson and “Harlem” by Langston Hughes, I determined that the main difference between the two poems is both poets’ use of diction. Dickinson makes use of abstract diction in her poem, using words like bright, delight, superb, and dazzle.
DickinsonS Poems Essay Research Paper Dickinson Explication
Dickinson`S Poems Essay, Research Paper Dickinson Explication #130 This poem speaks of the final summer days of the year, possibly coming after the initial fall cool down. The speaker begins by saying “These are the days when Birds come back—A very few—a Bird or two—To take a backward look,” referring to the few remaining birds in the last of the warm days of the year.
Dickinson Vs Blake Essay Research Paper For
Dickinson Vs. Blake Essay, Research Paper For my analysis, I chose to compare the poems of Emily Dickinson and William Blake. Dickinson s poem is entitled My Life had stood-a Loaded Gun and Blake s poem is entitled The Tyger. In both poems, nature plays an important part and it is obvious to the reader that both Dickinson and Blake feel a fondness, yet a slight fear towards nature.
Crumbling Is Not An Instants Act Essay
, Research Paper Analysis of "Crumbling is not an instant?s Act" by Emily Dickinson ”Crumbling is not an instant?s Act" is a lyric by Emily Dickinson. It tells how crumbling does not happen instantaneously; it is a gradual process occurring slowly and cumulatively over time.
Emily Dicksinson Essay Research Paper A Unique
Emily Dicksinson Essay, Research Paper A Unique Personification – Emily Dickinson, Poem #712 For generations children have been taught to see Death as the Grim Reaper. A figure clothed in dark robes holding a gleaming scythe in one hand and beckoning with the alabaster bone of another, Death has become something to be universally feared.
New Historicism Criticism Of Poem 1732 By
Emily Dickinson Essay, Research Paper Literature can be used to explain a period of time, and give insights as to how the general public felt, conveying true emotions and ideals instead of just textbook descriptions. Poem 1732 by Emily Dickinson is an excellent example of such. Dickinson was a female writer who lived in America and wrote during the mid to late 1800s, and her poem reflects the impact that both the Civil War and the War of 1812 had on people living through that era.
The Last Night That She Lived Essay
, Research Paper Dickinson writes about a lady that is dying peacefully. The language used presents the speaker’s attitude as accepting, towards the woman’s death. In “The Last Night that She Lived,” Dickinson uses repitition, imagery, and personification to portray the speaker’s attitude.
Theme On Emily Dickinson Essay Research Paper
Anthony J. Buchanan English 203 1:00 MWF, Theme #3 Oct. 25, 2000 Poems of Emily Dickinson Thesis of my paper that I am trying to prove to the reader is that Emily Dickinson is a brilliant extraordinary writer. She talks about mortality and death within her life and on paper in her poem works.
On 1705
("Volcanoes Be In Sicily") Essay, Research Paper Sandra Gilbert Dickinson felt that although "Volcanoes be in Sicily…I may contemplate / Vesuvius at Home." For as a mistress of the mysteries
Death Essay Research Paper Many poems are
Death Essay, Research Paper Many poems are written about death. The two poets William Cullen Bryant and Emily Dickinson were very influential trancendental writers. Bryant writing Thanatopsis
About Dickinson
’s Use Of The Dash Essay, Research Paper Kamilla Denman Unlike the exclamation mark, the dash that dominates the prolific period is a horizontal stroke, on the level of this world. It both reaches out and holds
Death To Emily Dickinson Essay Research Paper
DeathEmily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. For her entire life she lived there, in her father’s home. Though her world was quite simple, it was also complex in its beauties and terrors. She found irony and ambiguity lurking in the simplest and commonest experiences. The material in her poetry ranged from what she experienced in and around her father’s home.
Emily Dickinson Essay Research Paper Emily Dickinsons
Emily Dickinson Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson?s Views on Death Emily Dickinson?s views on death, as conveyed through her poetry, changed from poem to poem depending on her mood. Her writings also span over many years and one can see a progression in her thoughts on the subject of death as she matures as a person.
Dickinson Vs Whitman Essay Research Paper Two
Dickinson Vs Whitman Essay, Research Paper Two Poets, Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are probably two of the most influential people in American poetry. They are regarded as the founders modern American poetry. Walt Whitman (1819-1892), for the time was breaking new ground with his diverse, energetic verse with regards to subject matter, form and style whether talking about overlooked objects in nature such as a single blade of grass or even our own hearing.
American Sign Language Essay Research Paper Emily
American Sign Language Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson and Uncle Walt Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman are two of literature’s greatest innovators, they each changed the face of American literature. they are also considered one of literature’s greatest pair of opposites. Dickinson is a timid wreck loose.
The Goal Essay Research Paper Emily Dickinson
The Goal Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson’s “The Goal” discusses her theory that each human being lives each day striving to obtain one specific goal. She theorizes that each individual longs to fulfill one specific achievement whether “expressed” to others or is “still” (l. 2) and locked into the individual’s heart.
Emily Dickinson 2 Essay Research Paper Emily
Emily Dickinson 2 Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson was ahead of her time in the way she wrote her poems. The poems she wrote had much more intelligence and background that the common person could comprehend and understand. People of all ages and critics loved her writings and their meanings, but disliked her original, bold style.
Emily Dickenson Essay Research Paper Emily DickensonEmily
Emily Dickenson Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickenson Emily Dickinson’s unusual character and style has made her become one of the world’s most famous poets. In her poems, she expresses her feelings about religion, nature, death and love. Her poems tell a great deal about her lifestyle, which was very secluded and withdrawn from society.
Emily Dickinson Essay Research Paper Upon a
Emily Dickinson Essay, Research Paper Upon a first reading of Emily Dickinson’s poem’s I found them very difficult to understand due to her unique style of writing. Once I was able to comprehend the
Historical Analysis Of One Of Emily Dickinson
’s Works Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson was a reclusive person, with an emotional, passionate, intense life filled with her genius for writing poetry. Although criticized for her unconventional style of writing, including her rough rhythm and imperfect grammar and rhymes, she continued to write in her own unique way.
The Characteristics Of MrsDickinson Essay Research Paper
Everyone should has his own characteristics. Some of those characteristics should be positive while some should be negative, and they might be changed as time passes and things happens. Throughout the story “Tears, Idle Tears” , the author shows that Mrs.Dickinson has characteristics of beautiful, independent and demanding person.
Analysis Of Two Poems By Emily
Dickinson : 1737 And 486 Essay, Research Paper `Emily Dickinson?s poems are both fairly short lyrical compositions conveying and even sharing the deep thoughts, feelings and
Influences On EMily Dickinson
’s Life Essay, Research Paper The influences on Emily Dickinson?s writings were friendship, nature, religion, and mostly her own life and experiences. Dickinson is known for being one of
Poem Analysis Essay Research Paper In Emily
Poem Analysis Essay, Research Paper In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the Thing With Feathers” she is the speaker And as the poem states she is a “hopeless” person. She talks of the virtues of hope, and
Is Emily Dickinson On Drugs Essay Research
Paper 4/26/98Is Emily Dickinson on Drugs? Emily Dickinson’s poems often make me ponder her mental stability. Sometimes I wonder if she was psychotic or on some kind of mind-altering drugs. In Dickinson’s poems “I felt a funeral in my brain,” “My life closed twice before its close,” and “Because I could not stop for Death,” we shall see whether or not Mr.
Emily Dickinson Essay Research Paper Emily DickinsonMany
Emily Dickinson Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson Many poets often have themes or topics for which most of their poetry falls under. One of the topics that frequent the writhing of Emily Dickinson is death. This is the case with I Felt a Funeral in my Brain, and I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died.
Emily Dickinson
’s Reflection Of God Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson had a view of God and His power that was very strange for a person of her time. Dickinson questioned God, His power, and the people in the society around her. She did not believe in going to church because she felt as though she couldn’t find any answers there.
John Dickinson Essay Research Paper John DickinsonJohn
John Dickinson Essay, Research Paper John Dickinson John Dickinson, born on November 13, 1732, was raised with an excellent educational background with would later bring him into politics. John was born the second son of Samuel and Mary Dickinson near the village of Trappe in Talbot County, Maryland. By the age of eighteen, Dickinson began the study of law in Philadelphia.
It Was Not Death For I Stood
Up Essay, Research Paper In the poem by Emily Dickinson “It Was Not Death, for I Stood Up,” the main character has just lost a loved one and feels such devastation that cannot be put into words, but could only be described as “not” something. She feels such loss at her loved one’s burial, that his “burial reminded [her] of [hers]“.
An Aanalysis Of Emily Dickinson
’s What Soft Cherubic Creatures Essay, Research Paper Emily Dickinson’s “What Soft- Cherubic Creatures-” Emily Dickinson’s poem “What Soft- Cherubic Creatures-” is a poem that deals with the universal concept of hypocrisy; that is to say, one tends to show one face to the world which is merely a fa ade to hide the inner passions one has towards the outer world.
Explication 2
Explication: “It Sifts From Leaden Sieves” Essay, Research Paper Tess Purnell T. Arnold ENG-157W Explication #3 8-11-00 “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves”: Explication