World Lit Emily Dickinson Case

Emily Dickinson's Poem

I never lost as much but twice,

And that was in the sod.

Twice have I stood a beggar

Before the door of God!

Angels--twice descending

Reimbursed my store--

Burglar! Banker--Father!

I am poor once more!

Essential Questions

1. Her voice/stance in the poem- What sort of a persona emerges out through her poems?

2. What opinion or view she has on inner self, relationships with society/people in general?

Line-By-Line Analysis

I never lost as much but twice.

Death has come not only once in my life, but twice.

And that was in the sod.

"Sod" refers to the burial of said lost loved ones

Twice have I stood a beggar

Before the door of God!

Twice has she lost someone she loves, and twice has she begged before god for the strength to pull through this ordeal

"Before the door of God!" is suggestive that Emily had prayed

Angels--twice descending

Reimbursed my store--

Indeed, god had heard her prayers and "reimbursed" or gave her the strength to pull through. However, it could also mean that in the place of her dead love ones, god sent her nephew or some new friends

Burglar! Banker--Father!

In the sentence, god is described as a "burglar" because he steals the ones she loves from her life. A "banker" because he loans her strength, and gives her something in return for her suffering

I am poor once more!

This line is suggestive that once again, God has taken another loved one from her.

Essential Question Responses