Student Question
What type of imagery is used in Emily Dickinson's "Precious Words" and to which sense does it appeal?
Quick answer:
In Emily Dickinson's "Precious Words," imagery primarily appeals to the sense of sight. The poem uses visual imagery to depict a man who becomes symbolically "drunk" from reading words in a book. This imagery creates a mental picture of the man intoxicated and dancing, allowing readers to visualize his transformation and the escapism he experiences through reading.
Imagery is a literary device which appeals to one (or all) of the five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell). Authors use imagery to appeal to the senses of a reader so that they can experience a deeper connection with the text.
In Emily Dickinson's poem, XXI from Part One of "Life", "He ate and drank the precious words" imagery is used to appeal to a reader's sight.
The poem depicts a man sumbolically drunk off of words he has read in a book. The book has not only "intoxicated" him, it has allowed him to forget the problems in his life as well.
The imagery of the poem details an image of a man, drunk and dancing. This is a visual image that the reader can create in their own mind.
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