Emily Dickinson (Poetry)

Question 1

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

Answer 1

This poem is equivocal - many interpretations
→ startling account of death from a corpse’s perspective
→ metaphorical piece to describe a psychological breakdown

Capitalisation of “brain” suggests metaphor compared to a funeral service; “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain and Mourners to and fro”
Harsh alliteration of ‘f’ sounds illustrates harsh awakening and feeling of trepidation

Aural image of the “Boots of Lead” - consonant sounds followed by caesura mimic heavy footsteps

“treading - treading … beating - beating” - the gradual disintegration of her sanity
Repetition & parallelism capture chaotic movement

Question 2

I heard a Fly buzz - when I died

Answer 2

The repetition of “I” underscores the intensely personal nature of this poem
Past tense suggests perspective of someone dead
Buzzing sound contrasts silence & silliness - body formality of death by allowing fly to dominate
Grimly comic rather than solemn

Fractured structure of final stanza suggests failure of consciousness - transitional moment between life & death
Closing lines - “and then / I could not see to see” - confusion and uncertainty