January 7- Dickinson

We will begin reading about Emily Dickinson.

First read the following poem:

Emily Dickinson (#1263)

 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 – 

Then answer the following:

Retell a vivid childhood memory (in prose or poetry) using one of the following slants:

1. Adopt the point of view of another person or thing that was with you

2. Narrate the story from a distance, physically outside the event (watching yourself go through the motions) or using the perspective of time

3. Distort the story by rendering it unfaithful or incomplete, but allow an intended emotion to rise to the surface or capture a particular mood

4. Direct the story toward a particular group of readers (children, gangsters, old timers, etc.)

5. Use poetic license to dramatize or exaggerate for effect

6. While writing, make it obvious that you are biased towards a part of the story

7. Include slant rhyme in your poem

8. Rewrite the poem using other metaphors

Next, use the Dickinson biogram (available in my room) to answer the following:

EMILY DICKINSON WORKSHEET

Find these definitions.  Be sure to write the definitions that most likely apply here.

Obscure:

Circumscribed:

Eccentric:

Intermediary:

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind now that you know that Dickinson was not married?

Tell me about Dickinson’s education.

List three stated reasons for her to avoid human society.

1.

2.

3.

Pick one sentence from this page that is describing Dickinson.  Write it down.  Now tell me about someone that you know that shares this same characteristic.  What specific things does this person do that makes you think this?