Emily Dickinson's 'There's a certain Slant of light' Poem Analysis
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Questions and Answers

What is the main theme explored in the poem 'There's a certain Slant of light'?

  • The importance of human relationships
  • The effect of the natural world on the human spirit (correct)
  • The power of religion
  • The beauty of nature

What is the function of the trochaic meter in the poem?

  • To add a sense of religious solemnity (correct)
  • To create a sense of joy
  • To create a sense of urgency
  • To emphasise the beauty of nature

What literary device is used to describe the 'certain Slant of light'?

  • Synaesthesia (correct)
  • Personification
  • Metaphor
  • Simile

What is the effect of the 'Heavenly Hurt' on the speaker?

<p>It makes an internal difference (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the word 'Seal' in the poem?

<p>It represents a mark of authority (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the capitalisation of certain words in the poem?

<p>To show the external forces the speaker finds oppressive (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the 'certain Slant of light' on the speaker's soul?

<p>It oppresses them (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the temporal setting of the poem?

<p>Winter afternoons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the ellipsis in the poem?

<p>It creates a sense of disorientation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's attitude towards God in the poem?

<p>The speaker feels abandoned by God (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the light on the speaker's mood?

<p>It dulls their senses and subdues their mood (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Morbid and ominous (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Slant of light effect

How the natural world affects the human spirit, as in the poem.

Trochaic meter function

Creates a sense of religious solemnity in a poem.

Synaesthesia in 'Slant of light'

Describes a sensory experience using words related to another sense.

'Heavenly Hurt' effect

Creates an internal emotional impact on the speaker of the poem.

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Significance of 'Seal'

Represents authority in the poem.

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Capitalised words' purpose

Highlights the oppressive external forces on the speaker.

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'Light's effect on speaker's soul

Makes the speaker feel oppressed and subdued.

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Temporal setting

Winter afternoons, as described in the poem.

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Ellipsis' significance

Creates a sense of disorientation in the poem.

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Speaker's view of God

The speaker feels abandoned by God.

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'Light's effect on mood

Dulls the senses and subdues the mood of the speaker.

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Final stanza tone

Morbid and ominous, in the poem.

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Study Notes

Poem Analysis: "There's a certain Slant of light"

Themes and Ideas

  • The poem explores the effect of the natural world on the human spirit
  • It examines human suffering and the oppressive nature of religion
  • Dickinson considers the internal impact of the external environment

Style and Structure

  • The poem is written in trochaic meter, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere
  • The use of synaesthesia allows the reader to experience the light and its sensation
  • Capitalised words create an oppressive atmosphere, emphasising external forces

Imagery and Personification

  • Dickinson personifies the landscape, projecting her feelings onto it
  • The "certain Slant of light" is oppressive, like the weight of "Cathedral Tunes"
  • The poem blurs the senses, combining sight, touch, and sound

Key Quotes and Analysis

  • The opening lines introduce the oppressive "certain Slant of light" in "Winter Afternoons"
  • The "Heavenly Hurt" suggests a cruel and brutal God, who does not offer comfort
  • The poem highlights the difficulty of explaining why environments can affect our mood
  • The use of ellipsis creates a disorientating atmosphere, suggesting the speaker's powerlessness

Symbolism and Meaning

  • The "Seal Despair" represents the official mark of hopelessness
  • The natural world is personified, intensifying the sense of hopelessness
  • The final simile compares the departure of the light to "the look of Death"

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Explore Emily Dickinson's poem 'There's a certain Slant of light', analyzing its themes, styles, and impact on the human spirit.

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