Hope is a thing with feathers Analysis.pptx

Poetry analysis of Emily Dickinson's "Hope" is a thing with feathers
Line by line analysis
History of the poet

1. Hope is a thing with feathers Emily Dickinson

2. December 10 1830 – May 15 1886 American poet Not much is known about her personal life except that she was born into a wealthy family in Massachussetts She studied (as much a woman could in that time) then returned home She kept to herself, never married and was considered by most of her neighbours to be highly eccentric While she wrote many poems and stories, it was only 10 years after her death that her work was published after it was found in her bedroom by family Emily Dickinson

3. “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all -   And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm -   I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me. Hope is a thing with feathers

4. Summary The poem is about how fragile hope is But even though it is fragile, it still manages to hold on She compares hope to a tiny bird that rests in her soul and somehow manages to overcome everything – and never ask for payment Theme The strength of hope Hope never dies Mood Optimistic Wistful Summary | Theme | Mood

5. Three stanzas 4 line each Rhyme scheme abcb dede fggg Irregular rhyme Extended metaphor When the comparison (metaphor) is maintained throughout the poem and not just a single line. In this case the poet compares ‘hope’ to a ‘small bird’ Punctuation The poet uses dashes throughout to extend the poem Although they end the line, it suggests that it doesn’t stop, it keeps going – just like the bird (hope) never stops. Structure

6. “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - Metaphor – starts the extended metaphor of hope as a small bird Purposefully vague; the poet does not want the reader to associate a particular bird; it is different for everyone. It is in all of us. Suggests the song is universally understood; it doesn’t need words; we all know what hope is trying to say Hyperbole – hope never goes away, it is always there The dash draw attention to the last two words that emphasise the fact that it never, ever stops v. sits Stanza One

7. And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm - Personification of the storms of life; capital letter emphasises its effect on us Capitalised for emphasis and importance Figurative – the tiny bird kept people warm emotionally by giving them hope hurt/guilty harm In this stanza the poet says that the bird’s song is heard in the fiercest time in life and that these ‘storms’ should feel guilty for what they have done as the bird keeps so many people warm during times of trouble. Superlative form suggests that the song is best during the hardest times. Stanza Two

8. I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity , It asked a crumb - of me. Hyperbole – superlative emphasises where life is harshest Hyperbole – superlative emphasises places we are not familiar with ; capitalised for emphasis and reference to sailors of the time Furthest know reaches; as bad as it can be; capitalised for emphasis Placed between dashes emphasises this word – hope NEVER leaves It doesn’t expect payment or thanks – it just does it The poet tells us that the bird is heard everywhere. No matter how far, no matter how bad, the bird (hope) is there; and it doesn’t expect anything in return. Stanza Three