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Emily Dickinson?

Can anyone explain the meaning of the poem "There is a certain slant of light" by Emily Dickinson? I understand everything except the last two stanzas. Also can someone explain why she capitalizes certain common nouns. I think it because of personification, Heavens Hurt, Landscapes Listen, Shadows hold their breath. Is that right?

Here is the poem:

There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons--
That opresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes--

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us--
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the meanings are--

None may teach it--Any--
'Tis the Seal Despair--
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air--

When it comes, the Landscape listens--
Shadows--hold their breath--
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death--

2007-02-05 11:06:12 · 1 answers · asked by ceci_*220* 2 in Arts & Humanities Books & Authors

1 answers

Why did she capitalize so many words?
German, a language Dickinson knew, typically capitalizes nouns.
(To retain and give additional emphasis)
My interpretation:
There is a certain slant of light from the world that oppresses. It hurts to take it in. Then you can figure out as to where the light is from and why it hurts.What is the life of a man if it is not interwoven with the life of former generations by a sense of history?
I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.

2007-02-05 12:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by dreamgirl 5 · 0 0

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