As Imperceptibly As Grief

Question 1

As imperceptibly as grief overview

Answer 1

Dickinson uses “as imperceptibly as grief” as a vehicle to highlight how grief and loss is healed over time and cannot be forced. She lived the majority of her life in isolation so she can successfully underscore how grief is a gradual process that cannot be rushed.

Question 2

As imperceptibly as grief para 1 quote 1

Answer 2

“As imperceptibly as grief”

• this demonstrates how she wants to talk about grief through her experiences
• the use of the adverb “imperceptibly” demonstrates how grief is a long and complicated process that cannot be rushed.

Question 3

As imperceptibly as grief para 1 quote 2

Answer 3

“The summer lapsed away”

• the use of seasonal imagery demonstrates the passing of time and how it heals grief
• the use of the verb “lapsed” demonstrates the gradual process of grief and how it takes a while and cannot be rushed

Question 4

As imperceptibly as grief para 1 quote 3

Answer 4

“To seem like perfidy”

• demonstrates the deceitful nature of grief
• the use of “seem” demonstrates the uncertainties of grief and how it is confusing
• the use of the term “perfidy” which connotates deceit

Question 5

As imperceptibly as grief para 2 quote 1

Answer 5

“The dusk drew earlier in-“

• the use of the dash shows time passing and healing the grief and hurt from loss
• the use of dusk is a transition art time which shows how it will pass but cannot be rushed

Question 6

As imperceptibly as grief para 2 quote 2

Answer 6

“A courteous yet harrowing grace”

• demonstrates how grief is hard because you want it to end but it cannot be rushed
• the use of “courteous” demonstrates how grief when it isn’t rush is helpful and polite to you but the use of “harrowing grace” demonstrates how it can be damaging if rushed

Question 7

As imperceptibly as grief para 3 quote 1

Answer 7

“Without a wing or service of a keel”

• the use of the terms “wing” and “keel” both connote support and help which suggests grief cannot be helped along but instead will heal on its own

Question 8

As imperceptibly as grief para 3 quote 2

Answer 8

“Our summer made her light escape into the beautiful”

• further use of seasonal imagery to demonstrate the transition back to what was once great
• the use of “light” demonstrates when you don’t rush it time heals grief”

Question 9

As imperceptibly as grief structure

Answer 9

As the poem goes on the stanzas are symbolic of different stages of grief