Question

Poetry Analysis of “I'm Nobody! Who are you?” By Emily Dickinson - 1830-1886

- State the poem’s central idea or theme in a singular sentence.

- What is the tone of the poem? How is it achieved?

- Are there predominant usages of figurative language? What is the effect?

a. Metaphors

b. Similes

c. Imagery

d. Allusions

e. Personification

f. Symbols

Answer 1

“I'm Nobody! Who are you?” By Emily Dickinson - 1830-1886

Central Idea of the poem- It presents the satire for the individuals who are proud to be somebody(social status).

Explanation- It would be better to be a nobody rather than somebody who is working all through his/her life to boast about various things.

The tone of the poem- The poem has a rhythmical and satirical tone. It has light and innocent tone in the beginning, however, keeping, the satire in the second stanza where she mocks the life public figures by comparing them to loud bullfrogs who boast about their accomplishments.

It is achieved by using various figures that make it rhythmic and further engages the reader.

Various figures of speech and its effect-

1) The simile is used where she says how public it is to be like a frog. (6th line). The effect is that it add satire to the poem which engages the reader and presents an image before the reader.

2) Anaphora is also highlighted in the poem where she uses the same words in 2 lines of the poem ( repetition of word HOW in 5th and 6th line). It adds rhythm to the poem.

3) Alliteration is also used where she uses words having the same consonants. It adds internal rhyme to the poem which makes the poem engaging and interesting.

Words having same consonants-

THEN , THERE (Line 3)

BANISH, KNOW (Line 4)

BE, SOMEBODY (Line 5)

LIVELONG (Line 7)