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“My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun”

“My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun”. An Analysis using the “Plan of Attack”. Rhyme Scheme. In each stanza*, the second and fourth lines tend to rhyme: - “perfect” rhyme: stanzas 1 & 6 - “slant” rhyme: stanzas 3, 4, & 5 - no rhyme: stanza 2 (Hmmm. Why?)

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“My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun”

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  1. “My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun” An Analysis using the “Plan of Attack”

  2. Rhyme Scheme • In each stanza*, the second and fourth lines tend to rhyme: - “perfect” rhyme: stanzas 1 & 6 - “slant” rhyme: stanzas 3, 4, & 5 - no rhyme: stanza 2 (Hmmm. Why?) * Four-line stanzas are known as quatrains

  3. Meter (rhythm) • The first and third lines of each quatrain are written in iambic tetrameter: • “My Lífe had stoód – a Loáded Gún –” The second and fourth lines of each quatrain are written in iambic trimeter: – “In Córners – tíll a Dáy”

  4. Use of language • “fresh” diction and word play: • “every time I speak for Him” • “None stir the second time – On whom I lay a Yellow Eye” • Irony: – “For I have but the power to kill, Without – the power to die –” • Capitalization: throughout the poem

  5. Imagery • All senses but taste and smell

  6. Metaphor • The controlling metaphor* of this poem is the idea that the speaker’s life IS a loaded gun. *an extended metaphor that dominates the entire poem

  7. Biographical connections • “owner”/”master”—another poet? Rev. Wadsworth? Someone who might offer encouragement, in life, in poetry, or both? • Note the movement in the poem from “corner” to the outdoors (“Woods,” “The Mountains,” etc.)

  8. Shift in tone • From lighthearted and playful to serious

  9. Mood (the emotional atmosphere, the effect on the reader) • Light? • Mysterious? • What else?

  10. Meaning • What is this poem really about? Does it reveal any truths?

  11. Purpose • Why did Dickinson write it? As a plea for help of some form? As a confession? As a demonstration of her skill as a poet (i.e., the controlling metaphor)?

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