As Imperceptibly as Grief by Emily Dickinson Flashcards
What is the poem about?
Written in 1880, ‘As Imperceptibly as Grief’ explores the almost unnoticeable passing of time through the metaphor of the changing of the seasons. The disappearance of summer is gradual without a specific moment of transition, fading just as feelings of loss and grief diminish over time. By drawing a parallel between the end of summer and the fading of grief, Dickinson presents the idea that life and emotions are transient, like the seasons, and that loss is an inevitable part of both the human experience and the natural world.
What is the structure of the poem?
The poem is presented without breaks between quatrains. However, it is written so that every fourth line is a natural break point in the content.
It reflects the influence of traditional structures associated with ballads (this links to Dickinson’s religious background and appreciation of traditional poetry)
Caesura, marked by the dashes at the end of lines, encourages reflection
Enjambment contributes to the idea that time does not stop
“As imperceptibly as Grief”
Through the simile, Dickinson draws an unusual parallel between the passing of summer (usually associated with life) and the passing of grief (often associated with darkness and death). Just as summer’s beauty is fleeting, so too is the pain of grief.
“Harrowing Grace”
The oxymoron brings together the sorrow of grief and the beauty and gentleness of change; this implies that human experience can be both challenging and uplifting.
“The Morning foreign shone”
The metaphor highlights the unfamiliarity of autumn days.
“Shone”, “Twilight”, “Dusk”, “Light”
These words allude to stages of days, seasons and the human experience; note that twilight and dusk are both times of transition in a day.
“Like Perfidy”
“Perfidy” (betrayal) can apply both to the summer’s departure and to a person moving on from grief, linking nature with the human experience; to move on from grief is not a betrayal but the result of the passing of time.
“The Morning foreign shone —
A courteous, yet harrowing Grace,
As Guest, that would be gone —”
The poem only contains two lines that rhyme perfectly: line 10 “shone” and line 12 “gone”. This has the effect of emphasizing that presence is transient and that all things, however painful, will eventually fade.
What is the form?
Ballad rhyme scheme, and iambic pentameter reflects the predictable pattern of nature and life as time moves on.
This creates dissonance implying a sense of unease as Dickinson works through the poem towards a peaceful hopeful conclusion
