A summary sheet of 'I start Early - Took my Dog' by Emily Dickinson, which is a poem from the Time and Place collection in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE 9-1 English Literature Poetry Anthology. This summary discusses the language, structure/form, context and potential comparisons of the poem. The summar...
‘I started Early – Took my Dog’ At a Glance
Use this activity sheet to record your ideas about the poem ‘I started Early – Took my
Dog’ as you study it. Keep this in your notes for revision.
Language Structure/
Form
Language of childhood and fairy Simple, linear narrative
stories Varying pace
Stanza 3- simple description of o Beginning – leisurely description of
clothes, very feminine scenery
Impression of childhood simplicity o Stanza 3 – pace changes (a ‘Shoe’,
in first line, ‘I Started Early’ -> ‘Apron’, ‘Belt’, and ‘Bodice’ used to
implies an early morning, but also describe the rising tide) ->
an early life mentioned in quick succession –
tide takes on menacing tone
o Beginning – playful environment o Paces increases – pursuit of the
o Stanza 3 – ‘no Man moved me’ – tide (‘close behind’ in Stanza 5)
sights do not cause her distress or o End of the poem – the ‘Sea
affect her in any way. -> TURNING withdrew’
POINT, intro to the menace of the 6 four-line stanzas
personified ‘Tide’ ABCB rhyme scheme
o Finally, poet returns to reality – the Frequent use of dashes – casual,
‘Solid Town’. The ‘Might look’ given almost chaotic narration, lends to a
as the sea withdraws shows the child-like feel to the poem
impact which the encounter has
had on the poet. Reminds us of the
power of both the sea and our
emotions.
‘I started Early- Took my
Context Dog’ – Emily Dickinson Potential
Comparisons
Born in Massachusetts in 1830 Hurricane Hits England –
During this time, Emily became Mythical ideas or entities =
increasingly depressed and impression of place
seemed to form a preoccupation
with death and mortality In Romney Marsh –
Gradually became reclusive Other-worldly quality when
1886 – died at of kidney disease, describing an environment
aged 55
After her death, nearly 2000 of her
poems were found. First volume
published 4 years later
o LITERARY CONTEXT
o Childlike imagery and ideas
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