Emily Dickinson Group

Question:

vladik1
vladik1
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In "Hope is the Thing With Feathers," what is the conflict and theme? 

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Posted by vladik1 on Wednesday March 11, 2009 at 1:46 PM and tagged with conflict, emily dickinson, hope is the thing with feathers, theme.


Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    The conflict between hope and despair is implied in the poem. Hope is examined through the metaphor of a little bird that "perches in the soul" and sings without stopping, even without reason or support. The song of hope sounds "sweetest" during the storm; hope is so strong that it cannot be expunged, except perhaps by the worst of storms. Through the extension of the metaphor, hope can overcome despair during the worst of times, "in the chillest land" and "on the strangest sea."

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    Posted by mshurn on Wednesday March 11, 2009 at 2:27 PM