Perhaps Dickinson uses light imagery in her poem to represent hope within the darkness of grief.
The cyclical nature of her poem illustrates that life, and grief, come and go - a natural process.
Dickinson uses a regular rhythm to represent the predictability of the passing of time.
Subtle shifts in rhythm and near rhyme could represent the imperceptibility of time passing and healing from grieving.

Keywords

Cyclical - repeating in a predictable pattern or cycle
To lapse - to temporarily fall into a state of inactivity or failure
Harrowing - extremely distressing or traumatic, causing intense emotional pain
Liminal - relating to a transitional or intermediate stage
Metre - a rhythmic pattern or arrangement of syllables in poetry

Common misconception

Rhythm and rhyme are used to make the text sound poetic.

Pupils should always link the poet's use of rhythm and rhyme back to their intentions. How does this help explore some of the messages the poet is trying to convey?

To differentiate the final practice activity, you may wish to remove the supporting details to challenge students to select their own.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Emily Dickinson's poem featured in the Eduqas poetry anthology describes grief as being...

Correct Answer: imperceptible

Q2.

Which words from the list below would you associate with Emily Dickinson's 'As Imperceptibly as Grief'?

Correct answer: summer

Correct answer: time

joy

Correct answer: death

flowers

Q3.

In 'As Imperceptibly as Grief', Dickinson uses the fading summer as a for the passing of time.

Correct Answer: metaphor

Q4.

Which of the following statements about Emily Dickinson is true?

She wrote most of her poetry after the American Civil War.

Correct answer: She wrote most of her poetry during the American Civil War.

She wrote most of her poetry before the American Civil War.

Q5.

At what time of the day does twilight occur?

morning

afternoon

Correct answer: evening

night

Q6.

At what time of day does dusk occur?

morning

afternoon

evening

Correct answer: night

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In 'As Imperceptibly as Grief', Dickinson uses imagery throughout her poem.

Correct Answer: light

Q2.

Which of the following is a relevant interpretation of Dickinson's use of "dusk" in 'As Imperceptibly as Grief'?

It represents hope of a new day.

Correct answer: It represents the darkness of grief.

It represents that grief will never end.

Q3.

In 'As Imperceptibly as Grief', Emily Dickinson employs a structure, as the reader knows summer will return again.

Correct Answer: cyclical, circular

Q4.

In 'As Imperceptibly as Grief', Dickinson juxtaposes the morning sun with the phrase "harrowing Grace". What does harrowing mean?

Correct answer: extremely distressing

well earned

hopeful

Q5.

In 'As Imperceptibly as Grief', Dickinson uses a rhythm, through use of iambic metre.

Correct Answer: regular

Q6.

In 'As Imperceptibly as Grief', why might Dickinson choose to use near rhyme?

to put the reader on edge

Correct answer: to reflect the imperceptibility in the poem

to show how painful grief is