Emily Dickinson's 'I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -' Poem Analysis
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Questions and Answers

What literary device is used in the line 'The Stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness in the Air –'?

  • Alliteration
  • Metaphor
  • Personification
  • Simile (correct)

    • What is the author's tone in the poem?

  • Indifferent and detached
  • Joyful and celebratory
  • Somber and reflective (correct)
  • Angry and aggressive

    • What literary device is used in the line 'The Eyes around – had wrung them dry –'?

  • Alliteration
  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Synecdoche (correct)

    • What is the effect of the repetition in the poem?

    <p>It adds to the sense of tension and anticipation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'last Onset' in the poem?

    <p>It refers to the moment of death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'Heaves of Storm' in the poem?

    <p>It adds to the sense of tension and anticipation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's focus in the poem?

    <p>The ceremony of death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of the dashes in the poem?

    <p>They heighten the tension</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'King' in the poem?

    <p>It represents God's presence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'Fly' in the poem?

    <p>It represents death and is associated with death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tone of the final stanza of the poem?

    <p>Disturbing and unsettling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Poem Analysis

    • The poem "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –" by Emily Dickinson explores the themes of death, ceremony, and the lack of control over one's own death.
    • The poem is characterised by a striking air of self-indulgence, as Dickinson imagines the moments before her own death.

    Style and Imagery

    • Dickinson's precise language focuses on the ceremony of death, creating a sense of tension and atmosphere in the room.
    • The use of repetition attempts to capture the atmosphere in the room, emphasizing the precision of the moment.
    • The poem employs synecdoche, pathetic fallacy, and synaesthesia to create vivid and striking imagery.
    • Dickinson's trademark dashes add to the sense of tension and uncertainty in the poem.

    Key Quotes and Analysis

    • "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –" : The opening line juxtaposes the ordinary act of hearing a fly buzz with the extraordinary moment of death.
    • "The Stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness in the Air –" : Dickinson compares the stillness in the room to the stillness in the air between the heaves of a storm, creating a sense of tension and uncertainty.
    • "The Eyes around – had wrung them dry –" : Dickinson uses synecdoche to refer to the people around her deathbed as "Eyes", emphasising their emotional state.
    • "I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away" : The speaker is getting their affairs in order, but is disrupted by the arrival of a fly.
    • "With Blue – uncertain stumbling Buzz –" : Dickinson describes the sound of the fly in terms of color and movement, creating an unsettling effect.

    Symbolism and Themes

    • The fly may symbolise death, decay, or even the devil, adding to the sense of unease and uncertainty in the poem.
    • The poem explores the idea of ceremony and paying respect to a loved one, as well as the inability to control one's own death.
    • Dickinson's focus on the fly at the end of the poem creates a sense of distraction and disorientation, underscoring the theme of the uncertainty of death.

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    Description

    Explore Emily Dickinson's poem 'I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -' and its themes of death, ceremony, and the lack of control over one's passing. Analyze the poet's style and language use.

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