A narrow Fellow in the Grass: Themes & Linking Poems
A narrow Fellow in the Grass: Themes & Linking Poems
A Narrow Fellow in the Grass: Key Quotes
- “Zero at the Bone”: Dickinson’s use of this phrase emphasizes the cold fear the speaker feels. It also serves to personify ‘fear’ reinforcing the intensity of the emotion.
- “Nature’s People”: Dickinson’s phrase implies that humans and nature are interconnected, playing important roles in each other’s lives.
A Narrow Fellow in the Grass: Poet & Context
- Emily Dickinson, born in Massachusetts in 1830, lived much of her life in near-total reclusion. Her poems, numbering in the thousands, were largely unpublished during her life.
- Dickinson’s relationship with nature, often personifying elements of it, is a defining characteristic of much of her work. In this poem, she navigates the boundaries of fear and fascination when encountering the natural world.
A Narrow Fellow in the Grass: Discussion Questions
- In what ways does Dickinson subvert typical depictions of nature in the poem?
- How does Dickinson use form and structure to enhance the narrative of the poem?
- Discuss the dichotomy of fear and fascination as presented in the poem. How does Dickinson reconcile these conflicting emotions?