Theres a Certain 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 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

Poem 303 The Soul Selects her own Society
The Soul selects her own Society
Then shuts the Door
To her divine Majority
Present no more

Unmoved she notes the Chariots pausing
At her low Gate
Unmoved an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat

I’ve known her from an ample nation
Choose One
Then close the Valves of her attention
Like Stone

Poem 465 I heard a Fly buzz when I died
I heard a Fly buzz when I died
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air
Between the Heaves of Storm

The Eyes around had wrung them dry
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset when the King
Be witnessed in the Room

I willed my Keepsakes Signed away
What portions of me be
Assignable and then it was
There interposed a Fly

With Blue uncertain stumbling Buzz
Between the light and me
And then the Windows failed and then
I could not see to see

Poem 754 My Life had stood a Loaded Gun
My Life had stood a Loaded Gun
In Corners till a Day
The Owner passed identified
And carried Me away

And now We roam in Sovereign Woods
And now We hunt the Doe
And every time I speak for Him
The Mountains straight reply

And do I smile, such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let its pleasure through

And when at Night Our good Day done
I guard My Master’s Head
‘Tis better than the Eider-Duck’s
Deep Pillow to have shared

To foe of His I’m deadly foe
None stir the second time
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye
Or an emphatic Thumb

Though I than He may longer live
He longer must than I
For I have but the power to kill,
Without the power to die

Poem 1129 Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind
Instructions:

Using the 5 poems above, answer the following 2 questions with at least 5 sentences each

1. For many years, critics believed Emily Dickinson suffered from agoraphobia, a social disorder that makes one fearful of leaving his or her house (sometimes even one room!). However, her poetry could be interpreted in a way that suggests Dickinson, rather than being afraid of people, was contemptuous of people. Support this position by using examples from her poems.
2. Dickinson’s poems often engage, directly or subtly, with her own solitude and anonymity as an artist. Describe the variety of ways and moods in which this situation is addressed.