More Dickinson Poems
(these are not in the edition of the book I'm using)

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Hello Poetry Lovers,

The book I'm using contains a small percentage of the total number of poems that Dickinson wrote. Here are some of my favorites along with some discussion questions.

Regards,

Mr. Draeger

Week 1

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Much Madness is divinest Sense—
To a discerning Eye—
Much Sense— the starkest Madness—
'Tis the Majority
In this, as All, prevail—
Assent— and you are sane—
Demur— you're straightway dangerous—
And handled with a Chain

Why is madness "divinest Sense"?
Why is "Assent" considered sane?

**************

You'll know it—as you know 'tis Noon—
By Glory—
As you do the Sun—
By Glory—
As you will in Heaven—
Know God the Father—and the Son.

By intuition, Mightiest Things
Assert themselves— and not by terms—
"I'm Midnight"— need the Midnight say—
"I'm Sunrise"— Need the Majesty?

Omnipotence— had not a Tongue—
His lisp— is Lightning— and the Sun—
His Conversation— with the Sea—
"How shall you know?"
Consult your Eye!

How can you know the "Mightiest Things" by intuition?

**************

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant—
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

What does it mean to tell the truth "slant"?
Why must the truth "dazzle gradually"?

************

There is no frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry—
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll—
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul.

Why do you think Dickinson compares a book to a frigate?

Week 2

************

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of Victory

As he defeated— dying—
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!

What is success?
Why do the defeated understand victory the best?

*************

Could live— did live—
Could die— did die—
Could smile upon the whole
Through faith in one he met not,
To introduce his soul.

Could go from scene familiar
To an untraversed spot—
Could contemplate the journey
With unpuzzled heart—

Such trust had one among us,
Among us not today—
We who saw the launching
Never sailed the Bay!

What does it mean to "go from scene familiar/To an untraversed spot"?
What kind of journey is this?
Why are most people afraid to make it?

*****************

What follows is in your book, however, this a little different version(many of Dickinson's poems had several versions) and I like this one better than the one in your book.

I'm Nobody! Who are you?
Are you— Nobody— Too?
Then there's a pair of us?
Don't tell! they'd advertise— you know!

How dreary— to be— Somebody!
How public— like a Frog—
To tell one's name— the livelong June—
To an admiring Bog!

Why does the poet call herself "Nobody"?
Are you nobody too?
Why does the poet say it's "dreary to be Somebody"?

****************

Fame is a bee.
It has a song—
It has a sting—
Ah, too, it has a wing.

What is the song of fame?
What is the sting of fame?
What is the wing of fame?

©2005-2013 Glen Draeger (all rights reserved)
Millstone Education: World Literature / http://www.millstoneeducation.com/worldLit