As Imperceptibly as Grief (Emily Dickinson)

Question 1

CONTEXT

Answer 1

written by Emily Dickinson
- 
purpose 
- compares the passing of summer —> autumn to the gradual way in which grief transitions from sadness —> acceptance
written in

Question 2

STRUCTURE

Answer 2

written in free verse

• intimate tone
• reflects true thoughts and feelings (natural not composed)

Question 3

FORM

Question 4

‘As imperceptibly as Grief.’

Answer 4

‘imperceptibly’ - ADVERB - 5-syllable word - immediately establishes an uneasy rhythm

‘Grief’ - CAPITALISED ABSTRACT NOUN - takes it from the practical to the universal - showing the universality of grief and loss.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE - creates tension

Question 5

‘The Summer lapsed away—‘

Answer 5

‘—‘ - CAESURA - repeated throughout poem - creates an edge uneasy tone

Question 6

‘To seem like Perfidy’

Answer 6

It is symbolic, suggesting that emotions, like seasons, pass and give way to​ other feelings.

Question 7

‘A Quietness distilled’

Answer 7

depicts a personified Nature in late Summer/early Autumn - a time for quiet contemplation

Question 8

‘Twilight’

Answer 8

The poet chose to express darkness in terms of ‘twilight’, representing peace and seclusion. So she inverts what the reader might expect.

(A03) This peace and seclusion can be linked to Dickinsons lifestyle — she lived an isolated life and avoided contact with society.

Question 9

‘Or Nature spending with herself’

Answer 9

Nature is PERSONIFIED - Spending it ‘with herself’ suggests reclusiveness and peacefulness. Significantly, this reflects the poet’s own reclusive nature.

Question 10

‘Into the Beautiful’

Answer 10

grief and loss has to be accepted as part of the cycle of life, just like the changing of seasons.