Definitions gale = (n.) strong wind storm sore = (adj.) painful; distressing abash = (v.) embarrass; weaken extremity (n.) farthest point or limit; danger Definitions Understanding Dickinson’s individual word choices is crucial to understanding her poem. The word “gale” in line 5 means “strong wind storm”—sweetest in the storm is heard. The word “sore” in line 6 is an adjective meaning painful or distressing—and painful must be the storm. In line 7 the verb “abash” means “to humble” or “to weaken.” –that could weaken the little bird. In line 10, the word strangest most likely means “most foreign” The speaker here is saying she has heard hope in the most foreign places. In line 11, the word extremity could mean “farthest point” or “danger” –that hope never asked a crumb of the speaker even in the most distant or dangerous moments.

Create a title for your poem. Why did you title it this? What is the theme of your poem? What is the reader supposed to get out of it? List examples of figurative language used Metaphor Personification List examples of alliteration List examples of rhyme Internal (within the poem) End (at the end of lines) Slant (almost rhymes) Analyze your Poem

“Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm - I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me. “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson