Read and analyze Emily Dickinson’s poem titled "Hope is a Thing with Feathers." Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings 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 the little bird That kept so many warm I’ve heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me. In 4 or more complete sentences, explain how the poet uses metaphor in this poem. What is the comparison? Give examples and evidence from the poem to prove your point.

Answer 1

In "Hope is a Thing with Feathers," Emily Dickinson uses metaphor by comparing hope to a bird with feathers. The comparison suggests that hope is something delicate and fragile, yet enduring and resilient. For example, she describes hope as a bird that "perches in the soul" and "sings the tune without the words," conveying the idea that hope can uplift and inspire us even in times of difficulty. Additionally, the poet emphasizes the strength of hope by stating that it "never stops at all" and can be heard "sweetest in the gale," showing how hope can provide comfort and solace during challenging times. Overall, the metaphor of hope as a bird with feathers serves to illustrate the power and persistence of hope in the face of adversity.