Emily Dickinson

 Poem reflects complicated relationships of persona to poetry, life, nature, others.

 The poem is a plea for acceptance from the world [regarding the persona’s seclusion or persona’s writings].  The poem articulates the persona’s sense of isolation and exclusion from community, the world.  The poem reveals the persona’s affiliation with nature

 Bitter/hurt tone is conveyed through the high modality term “never” – this communicates the persona’s awareness of her rejection by and exclusion from the ‘world’.  Expansive connotations of the term ‘world’ sets up a contrast between the collective/large world and ‘me’ (binary opposition of the individual and the world)

 Extended metaphor/conceit of the ‘letter’ throughout the poem. The poem is the ‘letter’ – a metaphor which shows the persona’s desire to connect with others through her writing and to receive acknowledgement/ reciprocation. The persona is presented as isolated from the world but at the same time attempting to be connected to it. The medium for this connection is writing/words. Personal context: Dickinson was rejected from literary circles as they refused to publish her work unless she altered her style. However, she also needed separation from the world in order to construct her identity. Voluntary social isolation was the catalyst for her creativity.

 Nature is personified as someone who has ‘told’ the persona a message. This positions nature as an intimate companion to the persona, offering the poet inspiration, comfort, beauty.  The ‘simple news’ conveyed to the persona by nature is contrasted to the world’s lack of communication. The implication is that nature has provided for the persona where the world has failed.  Reflects persona’s deep and unique connection to nature. Conveys an image of the poet as a conduit for nature’s message.

 Nature’s news is described ambiguously through oxymoron of ‘tender majesty’. The connotations of ‘tender’ suggest the persona sees nature offering something which is personal and intimate, whilst the connotations of ‘majesty’ convey something grand, regal and distant, to be revered. This contradictory image is used to convey the mystery and ambiguity of nature’s message and privileges the persona as the one who alone can understand it.  Highlights persona’s complex and personal relationship with nature

 Nature is personified as ‘her’ – creates a feminine image of nature and positions nature as intimately known by the persona  The description of the persona having ‘committed’ nature’s ‘message’ to the world positions the poet as a conduit/channel for nature’s message. She sees her role as transmitting this message to others.  The ‘hands’ receiving the letter are those who will read and hold the persona’s words in the future. This continues the conceit of the poem as a letter.  The image of the poet being unable to ‘see’ the future ‘hands’ connotes death or blindness. This suggests the brevity/fragility of life and the need for remembrance/posterity.  Highlights persona’s desire to connect with and be appreciated by the world in a way that transcends death/sickness.  Again positions persona as understanding nature in a unique way.

 ‘For love of her’ continues the personification of nature as female and a companion to the poet.  Direct address to the audience ‘sweet countrymen’ conveys the persona’s desire to speak directly to and connect with the world  Choice of adjective ‘sweet’ to describe her fellow citizens - a positive term with cajoling implications to suggest she pleads for acceptance. (Some critics have suggested that this is an ironic reference as her ‘countrymen’ were at the time engaged in civil War.)  Highlights persona’s need to belong even though she is very different. Her unique connection to nature is at the same time the cause of her difference and the basis of her plea for acceptance.

 Rejection - from world  Isolation - self imposed isolation allows for connection with nature’s truths but also limits her ability for connection with others  Identity - separate from world; unique and elevated identity as a poet  Nature as inspiration - search for truths; intimate connection with nature  Sacrifice – sacrifices connection with others for finding ‘truth’