Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sing the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard-

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash a little Bird

That kept so many warm-

I've heard it in the chilliest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

Theme:

"Hope" is the main idea and the bird is a metaphor defining hope. Whatever is being said of the bird applies of hope, and application to hope is Dickinson's point in the poem. She emphasizes that hope endures under the most difficult circumstances, even under fear. In time of greatest challenges, according to Emily Dickinson, hope sustain and keep us warm it empowers us and in return demands nothing. Briefly, as the sole theme if this poem, hope has been personified to show its importance to the weak souls. She introduces metaphor in the first two lines, and throughout the poem, this metaphor develops.

Summary:

In this poem the potess describe hope as a bird which has a dwelling palace in our soul. There it sings continously this song keeps the heart and soul warm and energetic. No matter whatever the circumstances are. Hope makes a man to face all hardships of life and move forward. The poetess says that she has, heard this bird even in the chilliest land and strangest seas. It means that a man can face any challange if he has hope. Hope always gives and in return demands nothing. The poetess has very beautifully presented her point of view that how much important is hope in our life.

Meet the poet

Emily Dickinson (December 10,1830-May 15,1886) was an American poet best known for her educational and political activities. Her father was a lawyer and her mother was a religious, hardworking house wife. Emily was educated at Amherst Academy. She mostly on the themes of death and mortality. Some of her famous poems are, 'Because I could not stop for Death', 'Heart, we will forget Him!,'I am nobody' and many more. Her works have been a source of much comfort to the distressed hearts. "Hope" is an example. She died at the age of fifty-five.