I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—

by Emily Dickinson

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I heard a Fly buzz—when I died— Questions and Answers

What is the tone and mood of the poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

What is the theme of "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

What is the diction used in Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"? Is it concrete or abstract? Explain and give "concrete" examples.

Discuss the rhymes in the Emily Dickinson poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—." Does the poem employ exact rhymes or approximate rhymes? How do the kind and pattern of rhyme contribute to the poem's effect?

What poetic techniques does Dickinson use in her poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

What is the rhythm of "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

Analyze the poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" by Emily Dickinson.

How can you tell the speaker has prepared herself for death?

How would you paraphrase the first stanza of "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"? Rephrase it in your own words.

How does "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" express the characteristics of the American Romantic movement to which it belongs?

What are the similarities and differences between imagery and symbolism in "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

In class, my peers were discussing the importance of the fly's buzz being the last conscience memory Dickinson has before death. Everyone concluded that the significance of the fly's buzz was to portray how irrelevant petty details such as a fly's buzz can impose on such harsh moments such as last moments before death.  But, I thought the fly's intrusion had to be more than that. I assume it has to be more significant because fly's typically are viewed as disgusting little creatures. They're known for spreading disease and they sit on poop, ew. Then it occurred to me that in this moment of death, depending on how spiritual one's views are, that she is about to face judgement. I have outside knowledge about Beelzebub who was an angel cast out of heaven along with Lucifer. Beelzebub I recall is known as "Lord of The Flies" and I think Dickinson was trying to portray that during a peaceful moment where her death is seemingly peaceful that she has been interrupted by a demon to take her to hell instead. With little background knowledge of Emily Dickinson, I assume she probably knew about the existence of Beelzebub because I think she had a christian background. I looked online and searched the meaning of "I Heard a Fly Buzz" in hopes i would see something at least related to something pertaining to Hell, but unfortunately I can't find anything. Even worse it's not like we could have had any personal insight from Dickinson about the interpretation of her poetry because she died before anything of hers was published. Grrrr... Can someone please discuss this with me I would greatly appreciate any insight or commentary towards the significance of the fly's buzz.

Who is speaking? To whom are they speaking?

What other poem can I compare to "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" by Emily Dickinson, in terms of the theme of dying or death?

How does Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" address the subject of death in a positive, ironic, comic, mocking, or parodic manner?

How does the organization of the poem shape what the poem says?

Did Emily Dickinson write other poems in the same tone as "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

In the poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" is the fly real or metaphorical?

What are the Realism and Romanticism elements in "I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" by Emily Dickinson?

How does Dickinson’s "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" compare to Porter’s "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"?

What are the implicit and explicit meanings of the poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" by Emily Dickinson?

How do Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" and Sylvia Plath's "The Arrival of the Bee Box" convey the idea that truly significant battles are fought within oneself?

Analyze "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" and "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." How can the poem be read as a more concise version of the short story? Which do you find to be more effective? What argument do the poems make about conventional Christian belief?

What does the "With Blue-" part of the first line in the 4th stanza mean or have to do with the "uncertain stumbling Buzz-"?

What did Emily Dickinson have in mind when she chose the fly, a most insignificant creature, for a most momentous incident in her poem "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—"?

Does a recurrent metaphor structure the poem?

What are the decisions the poet has made about form and meter? How do these decisions affect meaning?

What is the significance of haunting in "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—" and "One need not be a chamber—to be Haunted"?