POEM
6. If I should die
by Emily Dickinson
SUMMARY
Emily
Dickinson (1830-1886), born into an educated family in Massachusetts, USA, was
a prominent early American poet. Despite opportunities to travel, including
visits to Washington as a Senator's daughter, she chose to live within her
family circle and never married. Dickinson began writing poetry in her twenties
and her output grew substantially in her thirties, averaging around 200 poems
per year from 1860 to 1865.
She
penned over 1800 poems in her lifetime but didn't actively seek to publish them
during her lifetime. Dickinson's style was uniquely individualistic, not
adhering to any particular school of poetry. Her themes often revolved around
morality, God, and life and death. In her poem "If I Should Die,"
Dickinson contemplates the naturalness of death and advocates for facing it
with calm acceptance, reflecting her personal philosophy on the subject.
Emily
Dickinson's poem, "If I should die," reflects on the continuity of
life and the world's persistence in the face of death. The poem contemplates a
scenario where the speaker has passed away, while the world around them
continues to evolve.
The
imagery of time "gurgling on" conveys the relentless and continuous
flow of time, indifferent to the individual's mortality. The mention of morning
beaming and noon burning illustrates the cyclical nature of days, emphasizing
their regularity and unyielding progression.
The
lines about birds building and bees bustling underscore the idea that life
carries on with its natural activities, regardless of one's passing. This
imagery symbolizes the ongoing vitality of the natural world, independent of
human existence.
Dickinson
then touches on the reassuring notion that the world will persist even after
one's death. Stocks will stand, commerce will continue, and trades will
flourish. This suggests that life's economic and commercial activities will go
on, providing a sense of stability and continuity.
The
poem's tone shifts towards a sense of tranquility and peace in the face of
mortality. The knowledge that the world will carry on brings comfort and
serenity to the departing soul. The mention of "gentlemen so
sprightly" conducting the scene imparts a sense of capable and energetic
individuals who oversee the ongoing affairs of life.
Overall,
Emily Dickinson's poem captures the idea that life is a continuous cycle, and
even in the event of one's passing, the world will persist in its natural
rhythms. This perspective offers solace and tranquility in contemplating the
inevitability of death.
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1.
Emily Dickenson is said to have written about..............poems a year.
a) 100
b) 200
c) 300
d) 400
2.
The speaker believes that time will......................even after her death.
a) pass normally
b) pass
differently
c) pass unusually
d) pass
exceptionally
3.
Which flower will be planted on the grave?
a) rose
b) tulip
c) lotus
d) daisy
4.
The speaker expresses..................at the thought of death.?
a) terror
b) sadness
c) calmness
d) anger
5.
'If I should die' is an example of a......................
a) narrative poem
b) sonnet
c) elegy
d) lyric
Extra MCQs
1. Where was Emily Dickinson born?
A. Massachusetts
B. Washington
C. USA
D. England
2. Why did Emily Dickinson choose to live within her family
circle and never marry?
A. She didn't have opportunities to travel
B. She preferred a close-knit family life
C. She was a Senator's daughter
D. She didn't believe in marriage
3. When did Emily Dickinson begin writing poetry prolifically?
A. In her teens
B. In her twenties
C. In her thirties
D. In her forties
4. How many poems did Emily Dickinson write on average per year
from 1860 to 1865?
A. 100
B. 150
C. 200
D. 250
5. How many poems did Emily Dickinson write in her lifetime?
A. 800
B. 1200
C. 1600
D. 1800
6. Did Emily Dickinson actively seek to publish her poems during
her lifetime?
A. Yes
B. No
7. What were some of the main themes in Emily Dickinson's
poetry?
A. Love and nature
B. Morality, God, and life and death
C. Politics and society
D. Adventure and exploration
8. What is the central theme of Emily Dickinson's poem "If
I Should Die"?
A. Love and loss
B. The inevitability of death and acceptance
C. The beauty of nature
D. The passage of time
9. What does the imagery of "time gurgling on"
symbolize in Emily Dickinson's poem?
A. The fleeting nature of life
B. The cyclical nature of days
C. The persistence of the natural world
D. The indifference of time to mortality
10. What does the phrase "stocks will stand" signify
in the poem?
A. The stability of the financial market
B. The endurance of material possessions
C. The growth of businesses
D. The continuity of economic activities
11. What emotion does the poem's tone shift towards in the face
of mortality?
A. Grief
B. Tranquility
C. Anger
D. Confusion
12. According to Emily Dickinson, how should one face death?
A. With fear and anxiety
B. With calm acceptance
C. With resistance and defiance
D. With sorrow and regret
13. What does the mention of "gentlemen so sprightly" suggest
in the poem?
A. The presence of lively individuals
overseeing life's affairs
B. The absence of capable individuals in
the scene
C. The chaos and disorder in the world
after death
D. The melancholy atmosphere surrounding
death
14. What does the poem ultimately convey about life and death?
A. Death is to be feared and avoided at all
costs
B. Life is fleeting, but the world
continues to thrive after death
C. Death is the end of all existence
D. Life and death are inconsequential in
the grand scheme of things
15. What does Emily Dickinson's poem "If I Should Die"
offer to those contemplating mortality?
A. A sense of fear and uncertainty
B. Comfort and serenity in accepting the
inevitability of death
C. A call to resist and fight against death
D. A reflection on the fleeting nature of
life without offering solace.
B. Short Questions
1. According to the speaker, how does an individual's death
matter to the world?
According
to the speaker in Emily Dickinson's poem "If I Should Die," an
individual's death holds a certain significance in the broader scope of the
world. The speaker reflects on the idea that even in the event of their own
passing, the world will continue to function and evolve. They express the
belief that life's natural rhythms, represented by activities like birds
building and bees bustling, will persist unaffected by their absence.
The
speaker suggests that stocks will remain steadfast, commerce will carry on, and
trades will thrive. This implies a sense of continuity and stability in the
economic and commercial aspects of life. It conveys the idea that the world's
mechanisms are not reliant on any single individual, and they will continue to
operate independently.
Furthermore,
the speaker's contemplation of their own mortality leads them to find solace in
the fact that life will go on. This perspective brings a sense of tranquility
and peace in the face of the inevitable. It highlights the resilience of the
world and its ability to adapt and continue, even in the wake of personal loss.
Overall,
the speaker conveys the notion that while an individual's death may hold
personal significance, in the grander scheme of things, the world will persist
with its natural rhythms and activities. This perspective offers a sense of
comfort and acceptance, emphasizing the enduring nature of life despite the
passage of time.
2. What will happen to the elements of nature after the
speaker's death?
According
to the speaker in Emily Dickinson's poem "If I Should Die," the
elements of nature will continue their natural activities and processes after
the speaker's death. The speaker reflects on the enduring vitality of the
natural world, emphasizing its independence from human existence. They use
imagery of birds building and bees bustling to symbolize the ongoing vitality
of nature.
Birds,
representative of the avian species, will continue their instinctual behavior
of building nests, and bees will persist in their industrious activities. This
imagery conveys the idea that the natural world operates according to its own
rhythms, regardless of the presence or absence of any individual, including the
speaker.
The
poem suggests that the cyclical nature of days, with morning beaming and noon
burning, will continue in its regular pattern. This reinforces the concept of
the world's persistence and continuity, unaffected by the speaker's passing.
Overall,
the speaker's reflection on the elements of nature after their death highlights
the timeless and unyielding nature of the natural world. It underscores the
idea that life's activities, both in the animal kingdom and the natural
environment, will carry on as they always have, independent of any individual's
presence or absence. This perspective serves to emphasize the enduring vitality
of nature in the face of mortality.
3. How does the speaker describe her tomb?
The
speaker in Emily Dickinson's poem "If I Should Die" does not
explicitly describe her tomb. Instead, the focus of the poem is on the
speaker's contemplation of death and the world's continuation after her
passing. The speaker reflects on the natural processes and activities that will
persist even in the absence of the individual.
The
poem centers on the idea that life will carry on, with birds building and bees
bustling, and the cyclical nature of days continuing. The speaker also mentions
that stocks will stand, commerce will continue, and trades will flourish,
emphasizing the continuity of economic activities.
The
tone of the poem is one of calm acceptance and serenity in the face of
mortality. The speaker finds comfort in the knowledge that the world will go on
after her death, and this brings a sense of peace to her departing soul.
Overall,
while the speaker does not specifically describe her tomb, the poem is more
concerned with conveying a broader perspective on life, death, and the enduring
nature of the world. The focus is on the natural processes and activities that
will persist, rather than on the physical details of a tomb.
4. What makes the speaker's departing soul feel serene?
The
speaker's departing soul feels serene in Emily Dickinson's poem "If I
Should Die" due to the comforting realization that the world will continue
its natural course even after her passing. The speaker finds solace in the
knowledge that life's activities, both in the natural world and in economic
endeavors, will carry on without interruption.
The
speaker mentions that stocks will stand, commerce will continue, and trades
will flourish. This implies a sense of stability and continuity in the economic
and commercial aspects of life. It suggests that the world's mechanisms are not
reliant on any single individual, including the speaker, and will continue to
operate independently.
This
perspective brings a sense of tranquility and peace to the speaker. The
knowledge that the world will persist and flourish after her death offers a
source of comfort and acceptance. It allows the speaker to face the
inevitability of death with calmness and equanimity.
In
summary, the speaker's departing soul feels serene because she finds
reassurance in the idea that life will go on. This broader perspective on the
enduring nature of the world and its activities provides a sense of comfort and
peace in the face of mortality.
5. Summarize the poem in your own words.
Emily
Dickinson's poem, "If I Should Die," contemplates the natural
progression of life and the continuity of the world after the speaker's
passing. The poem envisions a scenario where the speaker has departed, but life
around them carries on as usual. The imagery of time flowing inexorably conveys
the relentless nature of time, indifferent to individual mortality. Morning and
noon continue to follow their established patterns, symbolizing the unyielding
progression of days.
The
poem emphasizes the vitality of the natural world, depicting birds building and
bees bustling, signifying the perpetuity of life's activities. Additionally, it
suggests that economic and commercial activities will persist, with stocks
standing and commerce flourishing. This underscores the notion that life's
mechanisms operate independently of any one individual.
The
speaker finds solace in the thought that the world will continue its natural
course even in her absence. This brings a sense of tranquility and acceptance,
allowing her departing soul to face death with serenity. The poem's tone shifts
towards a calm and peaceful acceptance of mortality, offering a perspective
that emphasizes the enduring nature of life despite the passage of time.
Overall,
Emily Dickinson's poem provides a contemplative reflection on the inevitability
of death and the reassurance that life will persist. It offers a perspective
that brings comfort and peace to the speaker in the face of mortality,
emphasizing the enduring vitality of the natural world.
C. Long Questions
1. Does the speaker believe in Christianity? Give reasons.
The
poem "If I Should Die" by Emily Dickinson does not explicitly mention
the speaker's religious beliefs, including whether she believes in Christianity
or any specific faith. The poem primarily focuses on the contemplation of death
and the continuity of life and nature after the speaker's passing.
While
the poem does not provide direct evidence of the speaker's religious beliefs,
it does touch on themes that are often associated with Christian thought. The
poem alludes to the natural order of life and the persistence of the world's
activities, which can be interpreted in alignment with Christian beliefs in the
cyclical nature of life, creation, and the afterlife.
Furthermore,
the poem's acceptance of death and the calmness with which the speaker
approaches the idea of mortality may align with Christian teachings about
acceptance of one's mortality and the hope for an afterlife. The speaker's
tranquility in the face of death suggests a sense of faith or spiritual
acceptance, which could be indicative of a belief in Christianity or a similar
religious worldview.
However,
it's important to note that the poem does not provide explicit or detailed
information about the speaker's religious beliefs. Interpretations of the
speaker's faith or spirituality would be speculative and subjective, as the
poem primarily focuses on broader themes of life, death, and the enduring
nature of the world.
In
summary, while there are elements in the poem that could be interpreted in
alignment with Christian beliefs, the poem itself does not definitively state
the speaker's religious affiliation or beliefs. The focus remains on the
contemplation of mortality and the continuity of life after death, rather than
on explicit religious doctrine.
2. How many sense images are used in the poem?
In
Emily Dickinson's poem "If I Should Die," sense imagery is employed
to vividly depict the natural world and convey the speaker's contemplation of
mortality. Sense imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals
to the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.
Sight:
The poem evokes visual imagery through phrases such as "morning
beaming" and "noon should burn." These descriptions paint a
picture of the passage of time and the cyclical nature of the day. The imagery
of a star shining alone in the sky also appeals to the sense of sight,
emphasizing the singularity and brightness of Lucy's beauty.
Sound:
The word "gurgle" in the line "And time should gurgle on"
appeals to the sense of sound. It suggests the continuous, murmuring flow of
time, creating an auditory image that symbolizes the relentless progression of
life.
Touch:
While there is no direct imagery related to touch in the poem, the description
of the natural world, such as birds building and bees bustling, implies a sense
of tactile activity in the environment.
Overall,
the poem predominantly relies on visual and auditory imagery to convey the
speaker's contemplation of life, death, and the enduring nature of the world.
The imagery of natural processes and activities, along with the cyclical
patterns of time, creates a vivid and contemplative atmosphere within the poem.
In
summary, "If I Should Die" employs primarily visual and auditory
sense imagery to convey the speaker's reflections on life, death, and the
continuity of the natural world. These sensory descriptions enhance the
reader's understanding and emotional connection to the themes explored in the
poem.
3. What does death mean to the speaker? Is she panic-stricken at
the thought of her death? Give reasons.
The
speaker in Emily Dickinson's poem "If I Should Die" does not appear
to be panic-stricken at the thought of her own death. Instead, she approaches
the concept of death with calm acceptance and serenity.
The
speaker views death as a natural and inevitable part of life's cycle. She
acknowledges the passage of time and envisions the world continuing its
activities even after her passing. The imagery of time "gurgling on,"
the regularity of morning and noon, and the activities of birds and bees all
serve to emphasize the relentless and continuous flow of life, which includes
the occurrence of death.
The
speaker's tone throughout the poem is one of tranquility and peaceful
contemplation. She does not express fear or anxiety about the prospect of
dying. Instead, she finds comfort in the idea that life will persist and
flourish after her own death. This perspective provides her with a sense of
solace and acceptance.
Furthermore,
the speaker's reflection on the enduring vitality of nature and the
continuation of economic activities suggests a broader acceptance of the
cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of mortality. This viewpoint is
in stark contrast to a panicked or fearful response to the idea of one's own
death.
In
summary, the speaker in "If I Should Die" does not appear to be
panic-stricken at the thought of her own death. She approaches the concept with
a calm and accepting demeanor, viewing it as a natural part of life's cycle.
This perspective provides her with a sense of comfort and serenity in the face
of mortality.
4. Does the speaker believe in another world after death?
Explain.
The
poem "If I Should Die" by Emily Dickinson does not explicitly address
the speaker's beliefs regarding an afterlife or another world beyond death. The
focus of the poem is primarily on the contemplation of mortality and the
continuity of life in the natural world.
While
the poem does not provide direct evidence of the speaker's beliefs about an
afterlife, there are elements in the poem that can be interpreted in alignment
with certain religious or philosophical perspectives. The poem's calm
acceptance of death and the reassurance that life will continue after the
speaker's passing can be seen as consistent with the idea of an afterlife in
many religious traditions.
The
speaker's contemplation of the natural world's persistence and the ongoing
activities of birds and bees may suggest a belief in the enduring nature of
life, potentially beyond the physical realm. This can be interpreted as an
acknowledgment of the cyclical nature of existence, which aligns with some
spiritual or religious beliefs in reincarnation or an afterlife.
However,
it's important to note that the poem does not explicitly state the speaker's
beliefs about an afterlife, and interpretations of the speaker's faith or
spirituality would be speculative. The poem primarily focuses on broader themes
of life, death, and the enduring nature of the world.
In
summary, while there are elements in the poem that can be interpreted in
alignment with beliefs in an afterlife, the poem itself does not definitively
state the speaker's stance on this matter. The focus remains on the
contemplation of mortality and the continuity of life after death, rather than
on explicit discussions of an afterlife or another world.
5. Read the following short poem by Emily Dickenson 'If I
Shouldn't be Alive'. Does the poet give the same view of death in both poems?
If I shouldn't be alive
When the robins come,
Give the one in red cravat
A memorial Crumb.
If I couldn't thank you,
Being just asleep,
You will know I'm trying
With my granite lip!
The
poem "If I Shouldn't be Alive" by Emily Dickinson conveys a different
view of death compared to the poem "If I Should Die." While both
poems touch on the theme of mortality, they approach it from distinct
perspectives.
In
"If I Shouldn't be Alive," the speaker contemplates the possibility
of not being alive when the robins arrive. The speaker instructs the reader to
give a specific robin, distinguished by a red cravat, a memorial crumb. This
imagery of the robin and the memorial crumb suggests a gentle acknowledgment of
the potential passing of the speaker. It conveys a sense of connection to the
natural world, where even in death, there is a desire for a small token of
remembrance.
The
second stanza suggests a potential inability to express gratitude in the event
of the speaker's passing. The speaker mentions being "just asleep,"
which could be interpreted as a metaphor for death. This implies that in the
afterlife, the speaker may be unable to verbally express thanks. The phrase
"granite lip" evokes an image of immobility and stoniness, suggesting
the limitations of communication in the afterlife.
Comparatively,
in the poem "If I Should Die," the speaker contemplates death from a
broader perspective, focusing on the continuity of life and the world's
persistence after her passing. The speaker displays calm acceptance and
serenity in the face of mortality, finding comfort in the idea that life will
go on.
In
summary, while both poems touch on the theme of death, they present different
viewpoints. "If I Shouldn't be Alive" provides a more personal and
intimate reflection on the potential passing of the speaker, with a focus on
small gestures of remembrance. "If I Should Die" takes a broader
perspective, emphasizing the natural flow of life and the world's continuity,
and conveys a sense of acceptance and tranquility in the face of mortality.
Best of Luck
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