Emily Dickinson

LitCharts guides for works by Emily Dickinson

Explore LitCharts poetry guides for works by Emily Dickinson. Each guide offers line-by-line analysis, exploration of poetic devices, and helpful resources for studying Emily Dickinson's poetry.

'Twas the old—road—through pain—

Emily Dickinson's "'Twas the old—road—through pain—" is a poem about the difficulty of life, the inevitability of death, and the comforts of faith. Using an extended metaphor, the poem's speaker de... view guide

A Bird, came down the Walk

In "A Bird, came down the Walk," a speaker's seemingly everyday encounter with a bird leads to thoughts about the frightening side of nature—as well as nature's beauty. Under this speaker's watchfu... view guide

A Light exists in Spring

Emily Dickinson wrote "A Light exists in Spring" around 1834. The poem's speaker describes a mysterious light that appears only in very early spring, illuminating the farthest reaches of the landsc... view guide

A Murmur in the Trees—to note—

In Emily Dickinson's "A Murmur in the Trees—to note," a solemn speaker describes the peculiar things they've observed in the woods: hovering stars, eerie "Murmur[s]," and scurrying "little Men" mak... view guide

A narrow Fellow in the Grass

Emily Dickinson's 1865 poem "A narrow Fellow in the Grass" uses the image of an encounter with a snake to explore the nature of fear and anxiety—especially the fear of deceit. Like the proverbial "... view guide

A still—Volcano—Life—

Emily Dickinson wrote "A still—Volcano—Life—" around 1862, but it was first published in the 1929 collection Further Poems of Emily Dickinson. The poem describes a person with a "Still—Volcano—Life... view guide

A Word dropped careless on a Page

Emily Dickinson's "A Word dropped careless on a Page" is a poem about writing's dangerous power. The speaker declares that a sentence written centuries ago can still spread "Despair" as if it were ... view guide

After great pain, a formal feeling comes –

The American poet Emily Dickinson wrote "After great pain, a formal feeling comes" around 1862. Like many of Dickinson’s poems from this period, “After great pain” discusses the experience of emoti... view guide

An awful Tempest mashed the air—

“An awful Tempest mashed the air—” was written by the American poet Emily Dickinson around 1861. In the poem, the speaker describes an intense storm that arrives at night and finally departs in the... view guide

As imperceptibly as grief

"As imperceptibly as grief" is Emily Dickinson's meditation on the nature of time. It suggests that people don't always notice the way that everything undergoes gradual change, even as nothing in l... view guide

Because I could not stop for Death —

"Because I could not stop for death" is one of Emily Dickinson's most celebrated poems and was composed around 1863. In the poem, a female speaker tells the story of how she was visited by "Death,"... view guide

Before I got my eye put out

The speaker of Emily Dickinson's "Before I got my eye put out" has lost their vision—that is, they've had their "eye put out"—and wonders what it would be like to have it back. Ironically, this lim... view guide

Fame is a fickle food

Emily Dickinson's "Fame is a fickle food" presents celebrity as something volatile and unpredictable. Getting a taste of this metaphorical food one day is no guarantee that you'll get it the next. ... view guide

Hope is the thing with feathers

"Hope is the thing with feathers" (written around 1861) is a popular poem by the American poet Emily Dickinson. In the poem, "Hope" is metaphorically transformed into a strong-willed bird that live... view guide

I cannot live with You –

"I cannot live with You" is one of American poet Emily Dickinson's longest poems—and perhaps one of her most tormented. The poem's speaker tells a beloved that they "cannot live" together, not beca... view guide

I cautious, scanned my little life

The American poet Emily Dickinson wrote "I cautious, scanned my little life" around 1860, though, like most of her poems, it wasn't published until after her death. The poem's speaker takes stock o... view guide

I could bring You Jewels—had I a mind to—

The speaker of Emily Dickinson's "I could bring You Jewels" muses on the perfect gift for a dear friend. Though the speaker imagines getting this friend expensive "Jewels," exotic perfumes and dyes... view guide

I did not reach Thee

Emily Dickinson's "I did not reach Thee" is a tale of the soul's long, difficult journey through life, and of that journey's rewards. The poem's speaker goes on a perilous trek across deserts, rive... view guide

I died for Beauty—but was scarce

Written around 1862 and published posthumously in 1890, "I died for Beauty—but was scarce" is one of Emily Dickinson's most haunting and well-known poems. The speaker, a cryptic voice from the afte... view guide

I dreaded that first Robin, so

Emily Dickinson wrote "I dreaded that first Robin, so" in 1862—though, like most of her poems, it wasn't published until after her death. The poem marks the arrival of spring with vivid details: th... view guide

I dwell in Possibility –

Emily Dickinson's "I dwell in Possibility" was first published four years after Dickinson's death, in the posthumous collection Poems (1890). In the poem, a speaker juxtaposes her own metaphorical ... view guide

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

Emily Dickinson wrote "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" in 1861, the beginning of what is regarded as her most creative period. The poem employs Dickinson's characteristic use of metaphor and rather ... view guide

I had been hungry, all the Years

Emily Dickinson's "I had been hungry, all the Years" explores what happens when someone gets exactly what they want. The poem's speaker has been starving their whole life, pressing their nose up ag... view guide

I have a Bird in spring

"I have a Bird in spring," in which a speaker tries to hang onto the faith that a beloved songbird will return in spite of the fact that it's flown far away, expresses the difficulty of facing loss... view guide

I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -

"I heard a Fly buzz - when I died" was written by the American poet Emily Dickinson in 1862, but, as with most Dickinson poems, it was not published during her lifetime. It has since become one of ... view guide

I like a look of Agony

The speaker of Emily Dickinson's "I like a look of Agony" finds a sense of comfort in seeing people in "agony." That's not necessarily because the speaker wants others to hurt, but because the spea... view guide

I like to see it lap the Miles

Emily Dickinson wrote "I like to see it lap the Miles" sometime between 1858 and 1862. The poem describes a steam train as it travels through the surrounding landscape. Imagining the train as a gia... view guide

I measure every Grief I meet

"I measure every Grief I meet," one of Emily Dickinson's longest poems, is a meditation on the nature of grief. The poem's speaker finds herself searching other people's grief for similarities to h... view guide

I started Early — Took my Dog —

The influential American poet Emily Dickinson wrote "I started Early – Took my Dog –" sometime around 1862. In the poem, a young woman walks to the shore with her dog and looks at the sea. The boat... view guide

I taste a liquor never brewed

Emily Dickinson's "I taste a liquor never brewed" is about getting completely drunk—not on booze, but on life. On a glorious summer day, the poem's speaker imagines drinking so deeply and joyously ... view guide

If I can stop one heart from breaking

"If I can stop one heart from breaking" is Emily Dickinson's short, poignant reflection on suffering and tenderness. The poem's speaker describes a world full of sorrows: broken hearts, aches and p... view guide

It was not Death, for I stood up

“It was not Death, for I stood up” was written by the American poet Emily Dickinson in the summer of 1862. The poem depicts a harrowing experience of hopelessness and despair, which the speaker sug... view guide

I—Years—had been—from Home—

"I years had been from home" is American poet Emily Dickinson's reflection on change. Returning to a former home after long years away, the poem's speaker finds they can't even muster the courage t... view guide

I’m Nobody! Who are you?

"I'm Nobody! Who are you?" is a short poem by American poet, Emily Dickinson, who wrote during the mid-19th century (though most of her poems were not published until the 1890s, after Dickinson had... view guide

Like Rain it sounded till it curved

In Emily Dickinson's "Like Rain it sounded till it curved," a huge rainstorm unsettles a whole landscape, sometimes playfully, sometimes chaotically. A storm, the poem suggests, can feel world-alte... view guide

Much Madness is divinest Sense -

Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is divinest Sense" argues that many of the things people consider "madness" are actually perfectly sane —and that the reverse is also true: many of the things that p... view guide

My life closed twice before its close

In "My life closed twice before its close," Emily Dickinson describes a grief so great it feels like death itself. The poem's speaker has suffered two huge losses, mourning two people they loved de... view guide

My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun

“My Life had stood a Loaded Gun” is a poem by the 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. The poem contains one of Dickinson's most iconic images as its first line (and also as its title—because Dickins... view guide

Nature is what we see

The American poet Emily Dickinson wrote "Nature is what we see" around 1863. The poem praises the beauty and wonder of the natural world while also arguing that human beings lack the ability to ful... view guide

One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted

"One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted" was written in 1862 by the American poet Emily Dickinson. The poem's speaker compares the "brain" to a haunted house, complete with complex passageways a... view guide

Publication — is the Auction

"Publication — is the Auction," by the American poet Emily Dickinson, argues that publication is a "foul" practice, akin to selling one's own mind or the very "air" one breathes. The speaker insist... view guide

Safe in their Alabaster Chambers

"Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" is American poet Emily Dickinson's reflection on the all-conquering power of death. Observing the dead lying "safe" in their marble tombs while the stars spin abo... view guide

Shipwreck

Emily Dickinson's "Shipwreck" (a title added by later editors) charts the demise of a ship in the gusts and waves of a great storm. Through this deceptively simple poem's picture of a lost ship on ... view guide

Success is counted sweetest

"Success is Counted Sweetest" is an early poem written by the American poet Emily Dickinson in 1859. It makes the bold claim that success is best understood by those who fail, and illustrates this ... view guide

Tell all the truth but tell it slant —

"Tell all the truth but tell it slant —" muses on how to go about telling the truth, arguing that delivering truth too directly will only overwhelm the recipient. Instead, the speaker says, it's be... view guide

The Brain—is wider than the Sky—

“The Brain—is wider than the Sky—” was written by the 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson. In the poem, the speaker praises the human mind’s capacity to imagine, perceive, and create, ultima... view guide

The Bustle in a House

The American poet Emily Dickinson wrote "The Bustle in a House" sometime around 1866. The poem describes the hectic work that follows the death of a loved one (arranging the funeral, organizing the... view guide

The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants

"The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants," by the American poet Emily Dickinson, is a celebration of one of nature's most fascinating life forms as well as the tricksters, rebels, and nonconformists whom... view guide

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise

Emily Dickinson's "The saddest noise, the sweetest noise" reflects on the bittersweet relationship between beauty and grief. Listening to the birds singing on a springtime morning, the speaker feel... view guide

The Sky is low — the Clouds are mean

In this short poem, a speaker gazes gloomily at a chilly, gray winter's day, which looks just about as dismal as the speaker seems to feel. That's not so unusual, the speaker reflects, with a touch... view guide

The Soul has bandaged moments

"The Soul has bandaged moments" is one of American poet Emily Dickinson's many poems that explore, examine, and marvel at the human soul. Here, the soul is personified as a woman who lives a life o... view guide

The Soul selects her own Society

Emily Dickinson's "The Soul selects her own Society" was first published posthumously in 1890, long after Dickinson wrote the poem in 1862. In this poem, the speaker celebrates the virtues of an in... view guide

The Wind – tapped like a tired Man –

"The Wind – tapped like a tired Man" is Emily Dickinson's tale of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. When the poem's speaker treats a wind tapping at the door as an honored guest, they're r... view guide

There came a Wind like a Bugle

Emily Dickinson's "There came a Wind like a Bugle" marvels at the power of nature and the terror of change. Recalling a day when a huge thunderstorm nearly tore their hometown to shreds, the awestr... view guide

There is no Frigate like a Book

"There is no Frigate like a Book" is a brief poem by Emily Dickinson, which she enclosed in a letter to a friend in 1873. The poem's speaker celebrates the power of literature, marveling that no sp... view guide

There's a certain Slant of light

"There's a certain Slant of light" was written in 1861 and is, like much of Dickinson's poetry, deeply ambiguous. Put simply, the poem describes the way a shaft of winter sunlight prompts the speak... view guide

There's been a Death, in the Opposite House

Emily Dickinson's "There's been a Death, in the Opposite House" explores the rituals of death in a small town. As the poem's speaker watches all the bustle around a death in the house across the st... view guide

They shut me up in Prose –

“They shut me up in Prose—” was written by the 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson. The poem's speaker compares being constrained by society's conventions and expectations (metaphorically ca... view guide

This is my letter to the world

"This is my letter to the world" is a poem by the American poet Emily Dickinson, written around 1862. Like many of Dickinson’s poems, it is compact and enigmatic. In a broad sense, the poem is abou... view guide

This World is not Conclusion

In "This World is not Conclusion," Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) explores the tension between faith and doubt. The poem's speaker intuits that this world isn't the only one and that people go on to a... view guide

We grow accustomed to the Dark

"We grow accustomed to the Dark" was written by the American poet Emily Dickinson around 1862. The poem speaks to the human capacity for survival and resilience in the face of hardship and uncertai... view guide

What mystery pervades a well!

Written around 1877 and first published in 1896, "What mystery pervades a well!" ponders nature, fear, and awe—themes dear to Emily Dickinson throughout her writing life. The poem reflects first on... view guide

Whose cheek is this?

Emily Dickinson wrote "Whose cheek is this?" in the early 1850s as a meditation on the fragile beauty of life and the strangeness of death. The poem's speaker likens a dead flower in the woods to a... view guide

Wild nights - Wild nights!

"Wild nights - Wild nights!" is a poem by Emily Dickinson, one of the most famous and original of American writers. In this brief but powerful poem, the speaker longs to share "wild nights" with an... view guide