Name: Class: "Snowy" by Trixi Skywalker is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 “There's a Certain Slant of Light” by Emily Dickinson (1890) is in the public domain. There's a certain Slant of light By Emily Dickinson 1890 Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet who lived a very private life. In her seclusion, she wrote about 1,800 poems. In this poem, a speaker describes a slant of light on a winter day. As you read, take notes on how the speaker is affected by the slant of light. There’s a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons — That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes — Heavenly Hurt, it gives us — We can find no scar, But internal difference, Where the Meanings, are — None may teach it — Any — ‘Tis the Seal Despair — An imperial 1 affliction Sent us of the Air — When it comes, the Landscape listens — Shadows — hold their breath — When it goes, ‘tis like the Distance On the look of Death [1] [5] [10] [15] 1. Imperial (adjective): something dominant or domineering 1
Transcript
Name: Class:
"Snowy" by Trixi Skywalker is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
“There's a Certain Slant of Light” by Emily Dickinson (1890) is in the public domain.
There's a certain Slant of lightBy Emily Dickinson
1890
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet who lived a very private life. In her seclusion, she wroteabout 1,800 poems. In this poem, a speaker describes a slant of light on a winter day. As you read, takenotes on how the speaker is affected by the slant of light.
There’s a certain Slant of light,Winter Afternoons —That oppresses, like the HeftOf Cathedral Tunes —
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us —We can find no scar,But internal difference,Where the Meanings, are —
None may teach it — Any —‘Tis the Seal Despair —An imperial1 afflictionSent us of the Air —
When it comes, the Landscape listens —Shadows — hold their breath —When it goes, ‘tis like the DistanceOn the look of Death
[1]
[5]
[10]
[15]
1. Imperial (adjective): something dominant or domineering
Text-Dependent QuestionsDirections: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.
1. PART A: Which statement expresses the main theme of the poem?A. Spending time alone in nature can help you develop a better sense of who you
are.B. It can feel like no one understands you when you're in deep mental or
emotional pain.C. Allowing people to get to know the real you can often leave you feeling
vulnerable.D. Nature can sometimes leave us feeling lonely and emotionally vulnerable.
2. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?A. “There's a certain Slant of light, / Winter Afternoons —” (Lines 1-2)B. “like the Heft / Of Cathedral Tunes — ” (Lines 3-4)C. “Heavenly Hurt, it gives us — / We can find no scar” (Lines 5-6)D. “When it comes, the Landscape listens — / Shadows — hold their breath” (Lines
13-14)
3. How does the poem's winter setting contribute to its tone?A. It helps develop the poem's gloomy tone.B. It introduces an optimistic tone in the poem.C. It emphasizes the poem's hopeless tone.D. It helps develop a reassuring tone.
4. How does the speaker's description of the slant of light contribute to the meaning of thepoem?
2
Discussion QuestionsDirections: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared toshare your original ideas in a class discussion.
1. In the poem, the speaker is significantly affected by the winter light. How have you beenemotionally impacted by the seasons? Do you find yourself, or people you know, sadder orhappier during certain seasons? If so, when and why?
2. In the poem, the speaker uses an extended metaphor and then, later, personification, todiscuss elements of nature. How does this contribute to the poem's overall tone andmeaning? What are some of the other ways that elements of nature have been generallyused in metaphorical ways or given human traits? What purpose have these methodsserved? Ask students to cite evidence from the text, their own experience, and otherliterature, art, or history in their answers.
