Emily Dickinson poetry J.365 response paper

"Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?"

The famed recluse, Emily Dickinson is a supernova in America’s poetic space. Her unusual, unlimited rhythms and her freedom of voice defy traditional concepts. She was in essence blooming out of darkness and becoming white light.

In J.365, Dickinson’s poem asks, “Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?” Her life and work was at the refining forge of purification. Life itself was and is a forge for “Refining these impatient Ores.” This is in tune with the concept of personal growth, and the goal of perpetually improving one’s self. However, Emily Dickinson’s secluded lifestyle suggests she felt these activities to be internal exercises. Looking within, rather than without, she preceded to mold herself into white light. That is, to move towards perfection.

While this seems like a fairly religious occupation, Dickinson did not consider herself as such. She refers to the ore that emits this light as it comes out of the forge as, “Of unannointed Blaze.” She makes other remarks to this effect in her correspondence. In a letter to T.W. Higginson dated, 25 April 1862, she wrote: “They are religious- except me.” This is in reference to her family. In the same letter she also asks about personal growth and inquires, “Could you tell me how to grow- or is it unconveyed- like Melody- or Witchcraft?” While this may have been a simple compliment it is clear that for Emily Dickinson, personal growth is disconnected from religion.

In life, those who would follow Dickenson must look for opportunities for refinement. “Least village has it’s Blacksmith”. There is no shortage of prospects for development. The casual glance might suggest that all too often people are overlooking this truth, “Red- is the Fire’s common tint-.” One might assert that not all ore is redeemed at once. There are, and will continue to be, those who do seek growth. They are the few who choose to become like white light. They must endure the furnace, “Until the Designated Light/ Repudiate the Forge-”. Then, like Emily Dickinson and the supernova, they become white light.

Read the Poetry of Emily Dickinson for free:
 http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12242

Young Goodman Brown response paper

“Young Goodman Brown,” response paper

“Young Goodman Brown”

This classic story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is rife with sexual undertones and ingeniously deploys several metaphoric devices. The Devil’s staff, the pink ribbons and women riding broomsticks all have easily recognized symbolic meanings. Goodman’s reactions and attitudes toward these sexual symbols reveal a convoluted Puritan view of the reproductive act and also, serves to color a riveting tale.

Goodman Brown leaves his dear Faith with much affection for her. As he left her ”his heart smote him,” and he began to negotiate his feelings. He thought of her remarks and regarded their meaning. She had said, “A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts, that she’s afeared of herself, sometimes.” It is rather apparent that this young lady, with the pink ribbons in her hair, needs her husband sexually.

Why is Goodman Brown leaving his bride to go meet with the devil? Perhaps the act of sex itself is the visit to the devil. Goodman views this as an evil event. He refuses to take the Devil’s staff and immediately wants to turn back from his journey into the woods. The man of the staff tells him of his forefathers, “many a pleasant walk have we had along this path, and returned merrily after midnight. I would fain be friends with you for their sake." He seems to be telling Goodman that sex is the only path to having offspring and lineage.

 While Goodman is yet in the woods, Faith flies by over head. He finds her pink ribbon on the ground. She has lost her virginity, and Goodman hurries along the path until it disappears. Then he searches on with staff in hand to find the secret gathering. This is perhaps Goodman’s first sexual experience. This is where the devil tells all; “behold the whole earth one stain of guilt, one mighty blood spot.” Now Goodman understands the truth about sex and that nearly everybody in his society must be doing it.

The puritanical view of sex as immoral or impure is contradictory. When Goodman realizes the truth about sex and people, it disturbs his Puritan perception of piety. Every mother has had sex, and that idea sickened him toward society. His wife wanted sex and that idea forever took away his Faith.

Read “Young Goodman Brown” at http://www.gutenberg.org

The Tempest response paper

The Tempest

One of William Shakespeare’s most evolved works; The Tempest, is a rage of ethereal nuance and forcefully wrought metaphor. Within this masterpiece is an array of well developed characters. Caliban is easy to portray as the unknown Americas. He is wild, deformed, savage and capable. He is born of the dust of the earth, and yet comprehends, "sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not”. He is the fundamental mixture of man and beast. He recognizes himself to be a slave and searches for his freedom. His potential is far greater than his deformity might suggest. The question is... how will it be developed?

The idea of murder is comforting to Caliban. He imagines that it would make immense noise, and it might ease his sufferings if well plotted. However, he has a desire for goodness. He was taught by Miranda, and nurtured by Prospero. The beast and the human-being are both alive and strong within this monstrous creature. Caliban is a mottled blending of the savage, wild and dangerous land; and the enormous potential of a vast untapped resource. It has (at the time of this tale) only been lightly taught and nurtured by Europe.


The potential of this untapped, wild new land is revealed in the balance of knowledge at work in the play. Caliban knows that Prospero's power depends on his books and his staff. Without them, "he's but a sot as I am;" This identifies the Americas’ problem as temporary. When the land has been refined and the people therein educated, how will it compare to the Old World? How would a knowledgeable Caliban compare to Prospero? And will one destroy the other?


The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s most penetrating works. He illustrated ideas and concerns that had not been adequately expressed in his time. He seems to have understood the future of America and its potential in a way no other writer had envisioned. Caliban is no longer the essence of America, but this country can still be seen through his filter. The deformity has given way to stronger appendages; but what of the core? Is America still searching for its true freedom? Or are we an enormous, murdering monster?

Read The Tempest, at http://www.gutenberg.org

Edgar Huntly response paper

Edgar Huntly

Brockden Brown’s gothic novel centered in the American frontier was of monumental enterprise. Edgar Huntly; or Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker, is a deeply layered work of converging tales and metaphoric landscapes. Its devolving labyrinth of sleepless questing and dreamlike violence is suggestive of America’s newly won independence.


The struggle between morality and warlike violence is frequently exampled within the narrative. Edgar thinks of a brutal revenge early in the story while contemplating his lost friend. He seems, however, more staunchly allied with mercy. “Remorse, said I, is an ample and proper expiation for all offences.” Likewise are a number of his reflections and hesitations linked to compassion for friend and enemy alike. The bulk of the struggle and bloodshed that takes place are the result of unforeseen circumstances. This holds true for Clithero’s tale as well. All of his hopes and efforts were for his benefactor's well-being, and yet he unwittingly caused her more harm than any of her enemies.


Compassion is interlaced with bloodshed and revenge is aligned with decency in the tumultuous wilderness. Edgar was remorseful for killing a savage even though his own life was at stake. When he found his “fusil” on the deceased and believed that this same man had probably killed his sisters, he felt very differently; “Now my emotions were totally changed: I was somewhat comforted in thinking that thus much of necessary vengeance had been executed.” The principal motive of destroying those who would kill the innocent seems sound enough. However, after enough bloodshed Edgar again backs away from this position. He avoids killing a member of the maniacal war party until he has no other option. Even then he says, “my heart sunk while I complied with what may surely be deemed an indispensable necessity.” After shooting this Indian twice and realizing it may yet take hours for him to die, out of pity he chooses to stab him to death.


What is good and what is evil? In the wilderness of Norwalk, there is no straight path. The finer qualities of mankind may amount to nothing more than weakness in this desolate and dangerous dreamscape. The individual must recognize right from wrong despite morality or dark desires. Similarly, the nation must act in accordance with the reality of a situation. The dreamy haze must not interfere nor cause undue remorse.


Read Edgar Huntly, at http://www.gutenberg.org