Similar to its usage in “Heavenly Hurt,” Dickinson utilizes alliteration once more to speak to the strength of the light. Emily brings up the “Landscape,” as a scaling method for the light. If something as powerful as the land “listens,” to the light without hesitation, that must speak to its strength. This quote may call into question Dickinson’s belief in religious figures as her fear of death outweighs God’s work here on earth. Emily simply acknowledges the severity of death and realizes the hold it has on the entire world. Her crippling fear could speak to her lack of belief in an afterlife.

Dickinson stylistic uses m dashes to encourage the reader to pause. The dashes between shadows and the next line emphasizes how great shadows are and immediately cuts them down in the same line. As if to say “even big bad shadows buckle in fear.” It makes me think that every entity or individual has its weakness no matter how daunting they may seem. Although light is being described as the ultimate oppressor in this poem, one has to think that there exists something that can topple it down the same way it is working through everything else described.

“Imperial affliction,” speaks to the oppressive nature of the light. The word imperial calls to the idea tyrannical rule and how brutal it can be to live in those conditions for any citizen. In the context of Dickinson, who felt oppressed in many environments she was placed in as she was sent to many schools she did not enjoy or fit into. This was coupled with feeling caged by societal norms such as domestic household work that she prayed to never have to do in her lifetime. In Dickinson’s era, the role of a woman in the household made her stray away from traditional love affairs as well as constructing her own family.

“Emily Dickinson.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson.

The isolation of the word “Any” emphasizes the both the former and latter statements. “None may teach it,” speaks to the severity of which the phenomenon of the light cannot be explained. Isolating “any” provides an ominous pause that further highlights the fact that no one has the answers, no matter who you are, experience, or background. “Tis the Seal of Despair,” concludes the 3 lines by confirming that it is permanently decided that no one holds the knowledge. As if etched in history or controlled by destiny. We are dammed ro ignorance.

Dickinson references the slant of light not leaving behind any sort of visible scar, but leaves you in a conflicted state of mind. It is beautiful to note that Emily’s goal in poetry writing was very similar to what the light is described in doing here. The Dickinson museum quotes her saying, “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” Dickinson intends to leave a lasting impression with each and everyone of her pieces and the slant of light is doing no different here. The light cannot leave a physical scar, but if it can make you feel like the top of your head were taken off then it’s goal has been accomplished.

“Tips for Reading.” Emily Dickinson Museum, https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/emily-dickinson/poetry/tips-for-reading/.

Dickinson utilizes alliteration to describe heaven in a negative connotation. She takes a concept or place that is widely known for its healing nature, yet describes it as something that can cause pain.

The word oppresses provides insight onto Dickinson’s own life sadly. Despite having written thousands of poems by the time she passed away, she only had 10 poems published during her life time. Emily opted not to publish most of her work seeing as she thought she may have to heavily edit them for the public. This is what ended up happening once Todd and Higinson had decided to release them.

Chiasson, Dan. “Emily Dickinson's Singular Scrap Poetry.” The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2016, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/05/emily-dickinsons-singular-scrap-poetry

Categorizing light as oppressive allows the reader to interpret the light in a negative connotation. It is rare to see light portrayed in such a manner as many authors focus on the luminance the light provides rather than the harsh rays of the sun on the eyes for example. Dickinson is challenging readers to experience different perspectives.

The capitalization of “Slant,” emphasizes its importance in the text. Along with “light,” this will be the subject of the poem as the poetry progresses.

Challenges the notion of some fragments of the constitution being modernized through common sense and interpretation, but not at al, for the matter of slavery.

Some people die by the constitution but I doubt the average American even knows who exactly signed the declaration. Many rich men were in charge of the signing rather than your average man.

Signs of an unreliable narrator or at least a not so stable one. This repetition is concerning. The windows are taking too much space in his mind.

Poe has a common theme of making an enemy out of nothing. Almost every narrator has a severe trust issue that carries on into inanimate objects

The narrator is describing a "gut feeling" here. a relatable matter.

Personification of the house. Narrator may already be creating an enemy out of nothing.

The language here indicates a somber tone for the rest of the narrative. I am going into this story with a heavy heart already.