Here’s a full analysis of the poem ‘I dreaded that first Robin, so, -’ 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
SPEA...
I dreaded that first Robin, so,
But He is mastered, now,
I'm accustomed to Him grown,
He hurts a little, though—
I thought If I could only live
Till that first Shout got by—
Not all Pianos in the Woods
Had power to mangle me
I dared not meet the Daffodils—
For fear their Yellow Gown
Would pierce me with a fashion
So foreign to my own—
I wished the Grass would hurry—
So when 'twas time to see—
He'd be too tall, the tallest one
Could stretch to look at me—
I could not bear the Bees should come,
I wished they'd stay away
In those dim countries where they go,
What word had they, for me?
They're here, though; not a creature failed—
No Blossom stayed away
In gentle deference to me—
The Queen of Calvary—
Each one salutes me, as he goes,
, And I, my childish Plumes,
Lift, in bereaved acknowledgement
Of their unthinking Drums –
VOCABULARY
Dreaded - was scared of / didn’t look forward too
Mastered - conquered, controlled
Accustomed - gotten used to
Till - until
Mangle - damage, ruin or destroy
Pierce - break the surface of something, usually with a sharp point such as a needle
Deference - respect and submission
Plumes - feathers
Bereaved - in a state of grief after losing a loved one
Acknowledgement - a state of acceptance
STORY/SUMMARY
(Stanza 1) I was so scared of the arrival of that first Robin, but I have mastered my
fear, I’m used to him being full-grown, even though he still hurts a little. (Stanza 2) I
thought if I could only live until the Robin made his first shout - then not all the other
pianos in the wood had the power to harm me (Stanza 3) I dared not meet the
Daffodils because I was afraid that their Yellow dresses would affect me in a painful
way because they were so unfamiliar and I wasn’t used to them (Stanza 4) I wished
the grass would hurry up with its growing so that when it was time to see - he’d be
too tall, the tallest daffodil could stretch to look at me (Stanza 5) I couldn’t bear it
when the Bees came, I wished that they would stay away in those far off countries
where they go in winter, what could they possibly talk to me about? (Stanza 6) The
bees are here though, no creature failed to appear in Spring, no flower stayed away -
In gentle respect for me - the Queen of Calvary - (Stanza 7) Each flower and
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