"Hope" Is The Thing With Feathers Opinion Essay

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Opinion Essay/Analysis Over 150 years ago Emily Dickinson, undoubtedly one of America’s most accomplished poets, wrote “Hope” is the thing with feathers”. In it, hope is given life in the form of a feathered creature. Using a metaphorical style of analogy she compares hope to a bird. This lends her work a transcendental quality that bridges time and is universally understood. Using symbolism, contrast, creative punctuation, simple diction and cadence, Emily sets a tone of subtle query, faith and veneration. It is my belief that Emily may have had some inner struggles, and given the time period in which this poem was written, she may have needed to remind herself that she should continue to have faith and hope in better things. In the first stanza, I am convinced that hope is delicate, but strong. It is intrinsic; a quality of the soul. The bird wordlessly and unceasingly sings, which brings feelings of cheer and comfort. When referring to birdsong without words, I believe Emily is suggesting there is universality in the message of hope. The song, absent of words, needs no interpretation. Also, much like a bird’s feathers protect it from cold, hope often shelters us from life’s many trials. The creative use of dashes in this first stanza, and all throughout, allows me time to gather information and really process the depth of hope’s commitment. Stanza two continues with the comfort introduced previously and also submits the idea that hope can be fearless and noble. Struggle is compared to a violent storm where hope is like a beacon. Even the severity of the word abash doesn’t discourage me from believing in hope. The suggestion of warmth draws me to the next stanza. In stanza three, despair knows no bounds. Emily suggests that hope is constant in everything from “the chillest land” to “the strangest Sea”. Effective use of contrast takes me from

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