Tuesday, 25 April: Dickinson: "After great pain, a formal feeling comes--"; "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church--"; etc.

Reader: Miriam Rodriguez

Objective 2: To study the movement of “Romanticism,” the narrative genre of “romance,” and the related styles of the “gothic” and the “sublime.”

Objective 3: To use literature as a basis for discussing representative problems and subjects of American cultures: gender and the writer’s conflicted presence in an anti-intellectual society.

As previously stated, Emily Dickinson’s poetry has a tendency to address both the gothic and the sublime.  Additionally, the style she employees to deliver her message has a great impact.  One poem emphasizing these qualities is (3057):

                        After great pain, a formal feeling comes–

                        The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs–

                        The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,

                        And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

                        The Feet, mechanical, go round–

                        Of Ground, or Air, or Ought–

                        A Wooden way

                        Regardless grown,

                        A Quartz contentment, like a stone

                        This is the Hour of Lead–

                        Remembered, if outlived,

                        As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow–

                        First–Chill–the Stupor–then the letting go–

In what ways is this poem gothic, sublime, or both?

What style does she use and how does it impact the delivery of the poem?

Despite the fact that the majority of Emily Dickinson’s poetry was not published until after her death, many of her poems address representative problems or subjects of American culture that are still relevant today.  One poem that I find particularly inspiring is (3056):

                        Some keep the Sabbath going to Church—

                        I keep it, staying at Home—

                        With a Bobolink for a Chorister—

                        And an Orchard, for a Dome—

                        Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice—

                        I just wear my Wings—

                        And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,

                        Our little Sexton—sings.

                        God preaches, a noted Clergyman—

                        And the sermon is never long,

                        So instead of getting to Heaven, at last—

                        I’m going, all along.

What do you think is representative about this poem and what, if any, subject about American culture do you think it is addressing?