Hasan

1
Ragheda Hasan

11 April 2025

Core English II

Professor Sanyal

Dickinson’s Poetic Personality

Much of Emily Dickinson’s work alludes to her literary personality and her approach

toward life. Each of her poetic pieces differs from the other and is unique in its own way. Pieces

such as “I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died ” and “‘Hope’ is the Thing With Feathers” are two

examples of poems with beautiful meanings that speak to Dickinson’s talent, qualifying them to

be included in an Emily Dickinson anthology. Billy Collins’ poem “Taking Off Emily

Dickinson’s Clothes”, which in its unique way breaks down Dickinson’s poetic work, is a form

of poem analysis. Elements such as the theme, figurative language, and hidden messages are

essential factors that need to be considered when determining the value of a poem, appreciating

the effort the poet put into his or her work, and discovering the connection between the poem and

the author's poetic personality.

The poem, “I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died”, is essentially about a death experience.

Even though the topic of death is usually associated with grief, this poem presented itself in a

matter-of-fact tone and was more calm than sad. This calmness can be seen in the line, “when I

died – the stillness in the room was like the stillness in the air” (Dickinson, lines 1-3). After

suddenly dropping the unexpected line, “when I died”, Dickinson follows it up with something

as light-hearted as the stillness in a room. The topic of death is not addressed in the traditional

way that one would expect. Usually, the process of death is associated with disbelief, panic, and
 Hasan
2
uncertainty. But in this case, it was as if the narrator had already accepted her fate and was

simply informing the audience about her journey along the way. Although mourning does appear

in the poem, it is only slightly touched on, as if it is a minor bump in the road that should not be

paid much attention to.

Within this poem, there seems to be an emphasis on the buzzing of a fly in the same room

as the dying woman. This fly can be seen as a constant reminder of death's inevitable approach.

After the narrator moves away from the initial mention of the fly’s buzzing toward other details

like crying loved ones and a will, the fly comes back into the picture, making its presence known

as seen through the line, “and then it was there interposed a fly” (Dickinson, lines 11-12). In a

sense, the fly’s re-emergence and constant buzzing are a reminder to the narrator of the coming

of death. Soon after the fly is mentioned for the last time, the narrator's life, along with the poem,

comes to a close. Another way to understand the buzzing of the fly is through the contrast

between the fly and the dying woman. As the details of the narrator's imminent death are being

described, the sudden buzz of the fly is mentioned, breaking the seriousness of what is to come.

In that moment, the stark difference between the lively buzz of the fly and the declining life of

the narrator is highlighted. In a way, it is as if the fly is mocking the narrator's lack of life and

coming death. Upon noticing and piecing together these small details, you begin to think about

the bigger picture and why Dickinson may have put them in the poem in the first place. These

details may speak to the poet's relationship with her poem, which further emphasizes the

importance of the poem to Dickinson.

Furthermore, the use of literary devices in “I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died” enhances

the meaning and significance of the poem. In the first stanza, a simile can be found which reads,

“The stillness in the room was like the stillness in the air between the heaves of storm”
 Hasan
3
(Dickinson, lines 2-4). This simile tries to explain that the stillness in the room is as quiet as the

silence between the heavy winds of a storm. In the same line, she also uses imagery, through the

winds of a storm, which gives the reader something to visualize when trying to understand what

the poet is explaining. Through the simile and imagery, Dickinson is trying to make a strong

enough emphasis on the stillness of the room in a way that will not be forgotten, but rather

remembered by the reader.

Additionally, personification is also used in the second stanza, which says, “when the

King be witnessed in the room” (Dickinson, lines 7-8). This line refers to death as a king. Death

is given human characteristics when it is stated that it will be witnessed in the room, as if it were

a person that can be seen. Referring to death as a king can be seen as an attempt to elevate the

status of death to something high and powerful. This line may also be looked at through a

different lens. Instead of being a personification, Dickinson’s use of the word king could be a

reference to her religious beliefs. The term “king” may have been a reference to the presence of

an almighty figure in a room where a soul is leaving this life and entering another. A religious

reference, as such, would make this moment in the poem much more significant. In addition, the

overall idea of the narrator's passing would be elevated as an event that requires respect,

especially since it attracted the attention of a “king”. Whichever way one chooses to look at this

specific line, whether as a personification or as a religious reference, a piece of Dickinson’s

identity is revealed through the way she envisions death.

On the other hand, “‘Hope’ is the Thing With Feathers” is an entirely different poem.

This poem showcases hope and positivity while uplifting the spirits of its readers. Lines such as

“That kept so many warm” assist in maintaining the optimistic tone of the poem (Dickinson, line

8). This is the type of poem that leaves its audience in a state of wonder and contemplation. The
 Hasan
4
poem attempts to communicate a message and leave readers with something to think about. In

this case, “‘Hope’ is the Thing With Feathers” recognizes that hope has so much to offer, even

during the darkest times. Its theme is one of hope’s perseverance despite the harsh conditions

surrounding it.

One of the biggest personalities of this poem is its use of metaphor. The feeling of hope is

presented as a bird through several traits. This metaphor is introduced through the first line of the

poem, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers” (Dickinson, line 1). Automatically, hope is described

to have feathers, hence given bird characteristics. The following line reads, “that perches in the

soul”, which assigns hope with another trait similar to a bird (Dickinson, line 2). Instead of

perching on a tree, hope is described as perching in the soul. This extended metaphor connects

hope to its literal meaning through the mention that hope takes refuge in one’s soul. It is also

implied that hope's presence is a constant and natural occurrence.

Furthermore, the second stanza speaks to the conditions surrounding hope. Not only is

the song of the “bird” still distinguishable, but it is also the “sweetest in the gale” (Dickinson,

line 5). The beauty of hope remains present throughout its journey. These details aim at showing

the persistence and strength hope holds even in the most difficult conditions. The strength of

hope is alluded to one more time when the poem states, “and sore must be the storm that could

abash the little bird” (Dickinson, lines 6-7). Effectively, through the continuing metaphor,

Dickinson is saying that hope is so determined and firm in its resistance that only the strongest of

storms could weaken its durability. Hope’s dedication to its survival was so strong that it even

left the storm sore.

The last stanza of “‘Hope’ is the Thing With Feathers”, Dickinson addresses the

generosity of what hope has to offer when she states, “I’ve heard it in the chillest land and on the
 Hasan
5
strangest sea” (Dickinson, lines 9-10). This refers to the lengths hope has gone to be there even

in the most extreme circumstances. By expressing hope's appearance in the most peculiar and

unexpected settings, it is applied that hope goes above and beyond when it comes to being there

to offer comfort and solace in difficult times. Dickinson continues and finishes the poem with the

lines, “yet never in extremity it asked a crumb of me” (Dickinson, lines 11-12). Here, it is

described that despite hope’s unconditional presence in our affairs and all the support it has

offered, never has it asked for anything in return. This goes to show how underestimated things

like hope are. Hope, which comes in the form of inspiration, support, and the light at the end of

the tunnel, comes with no price. This analysis can represent the way Dickinson herself viewed

and thought about the existence of hope.

Riddled with figurative speech, this poem's language is notably enhanced and assigned

more meaning. For example, the use of personification in “‘Hope’ is the Thing With Feathers” is

portrayed through the human characteristics that are given to hope, such as perching, singing,

resilience, and unwavering presence. Lines such as “perches in the soul”, “sings the tune”, and

“sweetest in the gale is heard” display the different examples of personification in the poem

(Dickinson, lines 2-5). Secondly, the usage of imagery is particularly heavy. For example, one

line within the poem states, “that could abash the little bird” (Dickinson, line 7). With this line,

readers automatically visualize a vivid image of a little bird being humbled or forced to step

down from its prestige position. Through Dickinson's mentions of other images such as feathers,

music, stormy weather, the chillest lands, and the strangest seas, the senses of the audience are

moved to visualize what's presented before them. This visualization highlights the meaning

behind Dickinson’s use of words and enhances the reader's analytical experience.
 Hasan
6
Billy Collins’ poem “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes” serves as an analytical

breakdown of Dickinson’s works and her literary personality. Although at first, Collins’ poem

may seem strange and offensive, the true meaning can be understood after a closer and more

concise evaluation. Just as observed and identified in the poem “‘Hope’ is the Thing With

Feathers”, Collins’ poem relies heavily on the use of metaphors and symbolism. Most of the

poem is made up of the author's detailed explanation of the removal of different pieces of

Dickinson’s clothes, which is portrayed as a journey. The many layers of her clothes are used to

represent the many layers of her literary ability and expertise.

The process of removal starts small and easy with pieces such as her tippet, bonnet, and

bow, which symbolize Dickinson’s easily interpreted works. Soon after, Collins moves on to

more complex garments such as her long white dress, which is complicated “with mother-of-

pearl buttons down the back, so tiny and numerous” (Collins, lines 7-9). This observation can be

seen to symbolize the additional features in Dickinson’s poems that add a more intricate feel to

the interpretation of her works. The removal of more difficult clothing continues through clips,

clasps, moorings, catches, straps, and whalebone stays. As Collins goes through these pieces, he

touches on “the complexity of women's undergarments in nineteenth-century America” (Collins,

lines 20-21). This layer of garments could be a reference to the intensity of the societal

constraints on the women of Dickinson's time. These constraints likely affected Dickinson's

ability to fully express herself through her poetry. Collins's mention of such complexities could

have been his way of recognizing Dickinson's literary potential, something that would not have

been done during her time.

In contrast to the two poems by Dickinson already examined above, this one contains a

good deal of similes. One of them, for example, describes Collins’ working hands, “before my
 Hasan
7
hands can part the fabric, like a swimmer’s dividing water” (Collins, lines 10-11). Rather than

describing Collins’ journey as an immensely difficult one, this simile portrays it as a smooth and

easy-going concept, as simple as swimming through water. Additionally, another simile

describing this process reads, “it was like riding a swan into the night” (Collins, line 28). This

description, just like the initial simile mentioned, makes Collins' journey seem like a pleasant and

mystical one. These two similes seem to strengthen the image of the way Collins chooses to

evaluate Dickinson’s poetic work.

Moreover, as in Dickinson’s poems, “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes” also

contains imagery. This can be seen through the many pieces of clothing mentioned, which help

the audience visualize what exactly is being dealt with. Another aspect of this imagery is the

description of Dickinson’s reaction and placement during the undressing process. For example, it

is described that “she was standing by an open window in an upstairs bedroom, motionless, a

little wide-eyed” (Collins, lines 14-16). This additional information personalizes the process and

ties it back to the main character, Dickinson herself. Readers of the poem are allowed to

sympathize with her due to the obstacles she may have experienced during the years she engaged

with literature. Not only can readers sympathize, but they can also consider what her general

experience was like outside of the difficulties.

Through Billy Collins' evaluation of Emily Dickinson through his poem “Taking Off

Emily Dickinson’s Clothes,” he makes use of her celebrated works as well as what's already

known about her literary and private personality. With these at hand, he attempts to both enhance

her professional ability and study her mystical life, unfamiliar to the public eye. The attention he

pays to her is presented as something largely overdue, considering the limited attention

Dickinson received toward her more personal self during her time. Similarly, this essay’s
 Hasan
8
evaluation of the poems “I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died” and “‘Hope’ is the Thing With

Feathers” takes a look at Dickinson’s writing style, which is used to determine the type of person

she was. Both this essay and Collins' evaluation of Dickinson bring attention to the use of

different literary devices, such as imagery, metaphors, similes, and personifications, which speak

to Dickinson’s literary personality. In contrast, “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes”

revolves around an imagined scenario where the author is interacting with Dickinson. This

paper's evaluation, on the other hand, takes a deep dive into Dickinson's poems and interacts with

them directly.

All in all, due to the deeply intricate and meaningful nature of the poems “I Heard a Fly

Buzz When I Died” and “‘Hope’ is the Thing With Feathers”, and their inherent connection with

their author, it would be essential for these two poems to be included in a Emily Dickinson

anthology. Elements like the theme, tone, hidden meanings, and literary devices are all present

and assist in elevating the effectiveness of the poem's influence on its readers. Such poems do a

good job of representing Dickinson’s literary appeal and her unique writing style. Through these

poems, readers can get an idea of the type of person Emily Dickinson was and learn to truly

appreciate her dedication to literature and poetry.

 Hasan
9
Work Cited

Mays, Kelly J. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Edited by Kelly J. Mays, W.W.

Norton, Incorporated, 2021.