“This is My letter to the World.”
1. What is the significance of the title “This is my Letter to the World” in the context of the
poem?
2. How does the speaker’s tone change throughout the poem?
3. What themes or emotions does the speaker convey through the imagery of nature?
4. How does the speaker address the concept of solitude and connection with the world in
the poem?
5. How does the speaker use language and symbolism to create a sense of isolation?
6. What is the significance of the speaker addressing the poem to the world as a whole?
7. How does the structure of the poem contribute to the overall message or theme?
This is my letter to the World – The Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation
“The Soul Selects her own Society”:
1. How does the speaker describe the soul’s behavior in the first line of the poem?
2. What does the speaker suggest about the soul’s decision-making process in choosing its
own society?
3. What qualities or characteristics does the soul value in the society it selects?
4. How does the poem illustrate the concept of free will?
5. How does the poem convey the idea of independence and self-determination?
6. How does the speaker explore the idea of individuality and personal agency through the
metaphor of the soul selecting its own society?
The Soul selects her own Society (303) by Emily Dickinson – Poems | Academy of American
Poets
Bonus Question: In your opinion, why would these two poems be considered
innovative for this time period in American literature?