Emily Dickinson “Much Madness…” through “This is my letter…”

“Much Madness is divinest Sense” The speaker points out the common conflict in the world. The speaker points out the common conflict in the world. Society vs. Individual Society vs. Individual Which side do you the speaker (and, therefore, Dickinson) would take in this conflict? Which side do you the speaker (and, therefore, Dickinson) would take in this conflict?

“Success is counted sweetest” According to the speaker, who on the battlefield would most appreciate the “Victory”? How can the reader apply this to everyday life?

“I heard a Fly buzz when I died” Irony at its darkest Irony at its darkest The dying person has expectations of what death will entail. The dying person has expectations of what death will entail. What are these expectations? What are these expectations? Do these expectations hold true? Do these expectations hold true? This poem creates a doubt about the existence of an afterlife. This poem creates a doubt about the existence of an afterlife.

“The Bustle in a House” This poem uses metaphors to describe the grieving process over the death of a loved one. This poem uses metaphors to describe the grieving process over the death of a loved one. Examples? Examples? What does this poem suggest about the afterlife? What does this poem suggest about the afterlife?

“Because I could not stop for Death” In the first stanza, how many passengers are in the carriage? In the first stanza, how many passengers are in the carriage? Who are these passengers? Who are these passengers? The fifth stanza uses a metaphor to describe the speaker’s grave. The fifth stanza uses a metaphor to describe the speaker’s grave. Explain this metaphor. Explain this metaphor. Death is portrayed as kind, civil, and patient, BUT he will catch people unaware. Death is portrayed as kind, civil, and patient, BUT he will catch people unaware.

“There’s a certain Slant of light” Line 2 mentions “Winter Afternoons.” What mood would this create in the reader? Line 2 mentions “Winter Afternoons.” What mood would this create in the reader? What do the final two lines communicate about a person’s view of death? What do the final two lines communicate about a person’s view of death?

“This is my letter to the World” Her “Letter” suggests that Nature may have been Dickinson’s chief inspiration in her poetry. Her “Letter” suggests that Nature may have been Dickinson’s chief inspiration in her poetry. Explain how this is communicated by the poem. Explain how this is communicated by the poem.

Views of Death “I heard a Fly buzz when I died” “I heard a Fly buzz when I died” Disappointing Disappointing Tragic, people have cried themselves out Tragic, people have cried themselves out Part of everyday life Part of everyday life “The Bustle in a House” “The Bustle in a House” Emotionally painful and tragic Emotionally painful and tragic “Because I could not stop for Death” “Because I could not stop for Death” Surprising, yet comforting and peaceful Surprising, yet comforting and peaceful