Emily Dickinson - I Had Been Hungry, All The Years

This video is part of the Perfecting Poetry series, focusing on Emily Dickinson's poem "I had been hungry, all the Years." It explores the poem's allegorical nature, using hunger as a metaphor for unfulfilled desires. The analysis delves into the poem's structure, themes, and Dickinson's unique writing style. The lesson also provides context about Dickinson's life and her views on society and religion, offering insights into her preference for self-seclusion. The video concludes with a reflection on the poem's themes and their relevance to modern life.

What is the primary theme explored in Emily Dickinson's poem 'I had been hungry, all the Years'?

• The importance of wealth

• The beauty of nature

• The paradox of fulfillment

• The joy of achieving one's desires

In the poem, what does the metaphor of 'hunger' symbolize?

• A literal need for food

• A longing for various desires

• A desire for adventure

• A craving for knowledge

How does the persona react upon finally reaching the feast in the poem?

• They indulge in the feast

• They feel satisfied and content

• They lose their appetite

• They share the feast with others

What literary device does Dickinson use to contrast nature and society in stanzas 3 and 4?

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Juxtaposition

• Alliteration

What feeling does the persona experience when faced with the 'ample bread' of society?

• Joy and excitement

• Confusion and curiosity

• Indifference and apathy

• Illness and discomfort

How does Dickinson's personal life influence the themes in her poem?

• Her commitment to self-seclusion

• Her career as a public speaker

• Her interest in politics

• Her love for travel

What religious ceremony is alluded to in the poem through the use of 'wine and bread'?

• Confirmation

• Eucharist

• Ordination

• Baptism

What realization does the persona come to in stanza 5?

• Nature is less fulfilling than society

• Wealth is the ultimate goal

• Hunger is only felt by outsiders

• Hunger is a permanent state

According to the poem, what is the persona's final choice between asceticism and gluttony?

• They reject both

• They remain undecided

• They choose asceticism

• They choose gluttony

What does Dickinson suggest is more valuable than societal offerings?

• Fame and recognition

• Material wealth

• Nature's gifts

• Social connections