As Imperceptibly as Grief Flashcards
Context
Transcendentalist
Lived near graveyard
surrounded by death - many family died
thought she too would die many times.
urges that transition should be seen as natural.
Structure
four quatrains
choppy rhythm
Language and Imagery
Third person narrator
Capitalised nouns describes abstract concepts - represent passing of time.
Tone
sad but hopeful
subdued but thoughtful
As imperceptibly
As imperceptibly as grief
Comparing the passing of summer to the gradual way that grief transitions.
Seasonal change symbolic of inner change for Dickinson
Imperceptibly - 5 syllable word which immediately establishes uneasy rhythm
Summer lapsed…
Summer lapsed away —
Summer ususally represents happiness which is passing.
Alluding to death approaching.
Slow transition from grief to acceptance.
Lapsed means no longer valid - unexpected. Could suggest deppression.
Twili…
Twilight
peace and seclusion by expressing darkness as this. Inverting the readers expectations
Links to her reclusive lifestyle.
The Dusk drew…
The Dusk drew earlier in —
Representing shortening days - autumn.
Mysterious mood.
Alliterative D adds to the rhythmic unity.
The Morning…
The Morning foreign shone —
Morning is an oxymoron to Dusk in the stanza before - Inverted order.
Adverb “Foreign” is in this line - odd - connoting to feelings of strangeness.
A courteous, yet…
A courteous, yet harrowing Grace
Oxymoron which presents her contradictory feelings.
And thus without a Wing
Or…
And thus without a Wing
Or service of a Keel
Summer conveys growth, can be lonely, yet natural cycle.
Something to travel - summer leaves without needing these things.
The happiness loved ones bring, the joy of living life fully, while grief can often depress and overwhelm. Even so, there is always hope, something positive which can transcend, which is beautiful.
Purpose of dashes
Create staccato rhythm, appropriate for the uneasy speaker (Thought she would die at many times)
