AO1
articulate creative, informed and relevant responses to
literary texts, using appropriate terminology and concepts, and coherent,
accurate written expression
AO2
demonstrate detailed critical understanding in analysing the
ways in which structure, form and language shape meanings in literary texts
AO4
demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence
of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received
This is a difficult task especially as it is the first extended piece of writing you have done on Dickinson.
You should use the A3 handout I gave out last week and make notes on each of the poems. Try and really become familiar with each one.
You must spend more time with these poems and get to know them well. Your marks will improve significantly if you can know them better. Dickinson can be ambiguous and often her poems do not not reveal very much. A genuine, personal and informed response to what is actually in the poem will serve you well.
You have to discuss the actual content of the poem to get good marks. What is the poem actually about?? And how does she communicate this??
This is a difficult task especially as it is the first extended piece of writing you have done on Dickinson.
You should use the A3 handout I gave out last week and make notes on each of the poems. Try and really become familiar with each one.
You must spend more time with these poems and get to know them well. Your marks will improve significantly if you can know them better. Dickinson can be ambiguous and often her poems do not not reveal very much. A genuine, personal and informed response to what is actually in the poem will serve you well.
You have to discuss the actual content of the poem to get good marks. What is the poem actually about?? And how does she communicate this??
You also have to address the actual essay question in your essay. Here are some abstract concepts - feelings or spiritual ideas, referred to in the poem: 'oppression', 'Heavenly', 'despair', 'imperial affliction'. And here are some concrete concepts - objects: 'light', Cathedral tunes', 'Seal', 'scar' and 'Hurt'. She also fuses both abstract and concrete concepts, 'Landscapes listens', 'Distance on the look of Death'.
Writing about the symbolism of concrete concepts can be really useful. What does winter signify? What does church music signify? Traditionally this should be uplifting, full of affirmation, praise, thanksgiving. It's used to reinforce meaning. What does weak winter light signify? What does despair mean?
The poem centres around the ideas triggered by 'a certain slant of light'. It makes her feel oppressed and despairing. Perhaps it is her own personal sin. And sin means 'An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.' It is not a detached theoretical concept. For believers it's like being spiritually dirty. Perhaps she is being reminded of this when she sees winter light. And she does not like it.
Writing about the symbolism of concrete concepts can be really useful. What does winter signify? What does church music signify? Traditionally this should be uplifting, full of affirmation, praise, thanksgiving. It's used to reinforce meaning. What does weak winter light signify? What does despair mean?
The poem centres around the ideas triggered by 'a certain slant of light'. It makes her feel oppressed and despairing. Perhaps it is her own personal sin. And sin means 'An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.' It is not a detached theoretical concept. For believers it's like being spiritually dirty. Perhaps she is being reminded of this when she sees winter light. And she does not like it.
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a brief commentary on 258' - bearing in mind the question
With reference to poem 258, explore the ways in which Dickinson articulates thoughts and feelings through abstract and concrete concepts.
In your answer explore the effects of language, imagery and verse form and consider how this poem relates to other poems that you have studied.
The poem begins with an emotional response triggered by the low angled light that dominates winter days.
The quality of light creates a feeling of oppression - trapped, placed under pressure by external forces outside the control of the narrator. Here Dickinson combines abstract and concrete nouns. It is associated with the sound of cathedral tunes used to praise God. However for Dickinson they don't seem to inspire praise or joy.'Heavenly Hurt' combines both abstract and concrete concepts. Perhaps the light reminds her of the duties and responsibilities of being a believer. She may be referring to the strict christian environment that surrounded her.
Like the cathedral music 'the Seal' a reference to the ritual of communion far from creating reconciliation and peace between the individual person and God - for Dickinson this is evidence of a Godless, empty, meaningless world. The 'Seal' refers to the ritual of communion. A physical ceremony that uses wine and bread. It is highly symbolic - abstract. The phrase 'imperial affliction' picks up again on the suffering of Christ.
In the last stanza - Dickinson personifies the landscape making it appear human. She has the natural world presented as expectant of something, the personification creates a sense of expectation, or awe and wonder or even fear. I've referred to 3 possible interpretations of the function of the personification here.
