there’s a certain slant of light Flashcards
what adds to the feeling of seriousness and weighty issues
sounds and rhyme of the poem add considerably to the feeling of seriousness and weighty issues
what are dashes like
dashes are like periods that simultaneously serve to link ideas together & to adjust and make the rhyme unique
paradox
“Heavenly Hurt” - contradict the normal/accepted idea of heaven
“Heavenly Hurt”, “no scar,”, “internal difference -“
the effects of the light are internalized, therefore understood/defined in a more personal way
what is the natural imagery of Winter light used to showcase
uses the natural imagery of the winter light to illuminate some themes related to internal conflicts & despair.
“Slant of light,” is an extended metaphor for these kinds of struggles
what is the “Slant of light” depicted as
oppressive and negative
what is the “Slant of light” compared to
“the heft of Cathedral tunes.”. like loud sounds hinder one’s ability to be heard, this “Slant of light” is also an oppressive force
what doors “Heft” suggest
something weighty and heavy. in an emotional and intellectual level, a source of oppression may put stress or apply a heavy weight to one’s ability to perceive the intangible - express emotions, etc
what does “Seal” suggest
this light, this “Heavenly Hurt” is something beyond logic, smthn inexplicable coming from the unknown.
it suggests smthn if a royal personnage/smone greater than the speaker. the concept is sealed, unknown and even illogical. it suggests permenance, we may never know why this slant of light brings such despair
what happens when the light leaves
it neither lifts nor alleviate the sense of despair. on the contrary, it leaves a piercing chill and sense of uncertainty.
it’s as if one has looked on the distance between the present and our death
what does the final dash suggest
•the unknown in which we face. it also reiterates the sheer power of such light. it’s as if the world stops and remains stagnant in its presence, transforming into a purgatory
•nature itself out in awe of such light and is récitent under its coming and going
what does poem explore
•her mind, in which all hope is gone, and a “certain Slant of Light” that appears on “Winter Afternoons” oppresses the speaker
simile of comparing the “Heft/ Of Catherdral Tunes -“ to this light does what
•confuses reader as usually holy music is related to pos things rather than a pressuring force coming down on smbdy
can leave “Heavenly Hurt” and can “scar” the soul
•use of capital H enhances feeling of pain that is felt
“None may teach it - Any - / Tis the Seal Despair”
implies this feeling is only felt individually and can’t be taught or explained
