Here’s a full analysis of the poem ‘“Hope” is the thing with feathers’ by Emily Dickinson, tailored towards A-Level students but also suitable for those studying at any level. Enjoy and feel free to leave feedback if you found it useful!
Includes:
POEM
VOCABULARY
STORY / SUMMARY
...
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
VOCABULARY
Perches - sits or stands on a lege or pole, like a bird when it rests
Gale - windy storm
Abash - make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed
In Extremity - in extreme danger or in a difficult situation, alternatively, a phrase
relating to the limbs of the body - Dickinson may be using this to describe the
external self
Asked a crumb - asked for anything, even a small favour
, Love leading the Pilgrim - Study of Birds: Finches, 1897 By Sir Edward Burne-Jones
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