Unit-8
“HOPE” IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS
BY
Emily Dickinson
Introduction of the Poetess:
Emily Dickinson is considered as one of the original 19th century American poets. She was
born in Amherst, Massachusetts, to a well-known educational and political family. Emily
lived a secluded life Her work has been a source of comfort to the distressed hearts. she
died at the age of 55.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all –
In the first verse of this quatrain/stanza the poet compares hope to bird by using metaphor.
Hope is of course not an animated thing, but by giving hope feathers she begins to create
the image of hope in our minds. She says that hope sits in our mind, and from there it
encourages us to be brave in all kinds of challenges. Hope sings sweet song to motivate us,
and it never stops singing. The song of hope has no words but still, it is very melodious.
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird.
That kept so many warm -
Emily Dickinson, in the second quatrain of this poem continues to use imagery of a bird to
describe hope that ,hope lives in our soul, just like a bord lives in the nest , hope’s home is
the soul and from there it supports us when we face storm or challenges which are
adversities and difficult moments of life , but throughout these challenging moments , the
bird of hope never gives up and never lets us lose hope , even though it had been bashed
many times by the strong winds that life may throw our way. It reminds us to be strong and
never give up.
I’ve heard it in the chilliest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
In the last quatrain of this poem the poetess says that hope encourages us even in the most
difficult situations of our life. According to Emily Dickinson, hope keeps us alive when we are
in deep water. When we have no one to ask for help, we have hope to survive as it motivates
us to not give up. She says that hope never demands anything from us, but it encourages us
all the time in all kinds of
problems.
Hope is the thing with Feathers.
By Emily Dickinson
Comprehension Q/A
Q1: What is the implicit and explicit meaning of the poem “hope is the thing with
feathers”?
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
The implicit meaning of the poem 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers' is the way hope never
dies in the hearts of people. No matter what kind of situation we are in, hope keeps us
motivated and brings us out of negative thoughts. The poem's explicit meaning is that Hope,
the bird, sings wordlessly and constantly. It keeps many people warm with its sweet voice
even in horrible storms. It never asks anything return and continues to sing in the coldest
places and lonely sea.
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Q2: What is the theme of the poem “Hope is a thing with heathers”?
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
The theme of the poem 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers' is the power of hope. The poetess
beautifully describes hope through a bird, using metaphors to tell us how hope motivates
mankind no matter what. It says that hope lives with in t he soul and it keeps us warm as it
enables us to overcome difficult situations.
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Q3: How does the bird react to hardships in the poem “Hope is the thing with Feathers”?
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
The bird reacts to hardships in the poem 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers' by being
unabashed by them. It faces the storms bravely and survives the most difficult situations. It
continues to sing its wordless song during storms, in cold places and the strange sea.
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Q4: Discuss how “Hope” and “the thing with feathers” are similar. what does the poem
reveal about hope?
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
Hope' is what keeps us going. It motivates us in even the worst situations. 'The thing with
feathers, the bird, is similar to hope in a way that the poetess describes it singing its sweet,
wordless song even through storms. Just like hope, the bird warms the hearts of people in
the coldest places and its voice keeps them company. It never asks for anything in return.
The poem reveals that hope continues to stay with mankind in all kinds of situations and
does not need anything to keep going.
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Q5: What do you understand by “and sore must be the storm”?
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
This phrase refers to the intensity of the storm. It means that the obstacles that deter
mankind are undoubtedly grave and painful but the bird of hope endures the most difficult
circumstances.
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Q6: Do you like this poem? Why?
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
Students to give their own answers.
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Q7: Write the summary about the poem.
Ans: Lesson: Hope is the thing with feathers.
Poetess: Emily Dickinson
Theme: Hope
Hope is the Thing with Feathers The poetess, Emily Dickinson, uses a bird - the Thing with
Feathers - as a metaphor for hope. Using personification, she beautifully describes what
hope does for mankind through the bird's actions. Hope lives in our soul and has no words
but it can be felt. It keeps us motivated even through the most painful hardships. We do not
need to do anything to let hope motivate us, because it is a gentle presence that
accompanies us through thick and thin.
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