Quotes

• "As imperceptibly as grief" - this simile introduces the theme of loss or absence as well as suggesting that like summer passing grief takes a long time to fade away.
• "As imperceptibly" - The word "imperceptibly" suggests something happening slowly over time without being noticed.
• What is the effect of the capitalisation of the nouns: Grief, Summer, Perfidy?


  Emphasis on how important they are, it almost personifies them.

  There is also a religious link with them being capitalised, indicating that Dickinson's grief has her thinking in a deeper more spritual way.
• Throughout the poem, everyday language suggests that grief is a normal thing to experience.
• "A Quietness distilled"-suggests that grief is intense and long-lasting
• "Twilight"- Time imagery could suggest the passing of time therefore the cycle of life and death and therefore grief is inevitable.

  Twilight is also a time of change, from day to night, or night into day- it could suggest hope as better things are soon to come. Or it could be discouraging as one enters even more darkness.
• "Or nature spending time with herself" What is the significance of nature being personified?

  Personified as not just a woman but as a woman who is ISOLATED which could reflected in Dickinson as she often hid away from society in her home.
• What do the words "Quietness" and "Sequestered" suggest about grief?

  The noun "Quietness" and the adjective "Sequestered" create the impression associated with gird is peaceful and comforting