Nevaeh, Jada, Deklyn, Jasmine, Makayla
The Poetry of Emily
Dickinson
“I heard a fly”
I heard a fly buzz- when i died-
There interposed a fly-
the stillness in the room
With blue- uncertain- stumbling buzz-
Was like the stillness in the air-
Between the light - and me
between the heaves of storm
The eyes around- had wrung them dry- a
nd breaths were gathering firm
For that last onset- when the king
Be witnessed- in the room
I willed my keepsakes- signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable- then it was
And then the windows failed - and then I could not see to see
What is the poem about?
What is the subject matter of the poem?
The subject matter of the poem is how still and different from life death is.
What is the overall message from the poem?
The overall message of the poem is death might illuminate life.
What are some important/memorable lines from the poem?
“ With Blue – uncertain – stumbling Buzz –
Between the light – and me –
And then the Windows failed – and then
I could not see to see –”
Literary Elements in the Poem
How does Dickinson use sensory language in the poem?
She uses buzzing sounds
What are some examples of slant rhyme in this poem?
“With Blue– uncertain– stumbling Buzz– Between the light– and me– And then the
Windows failed– and then I could not see to see–”
Where does she use a paradox in this poem?
“I could not see to see–”
Comprehension Question and Research
(Write out and respond to the comprehension question (from page 179) about your
poem here.)
In “I heard a Fly buzz - when I died-,”what do the speaker and those in attendance
expect to experience when “the last Onset” occurs?
Their last moments
(Research to Clarify–p. 179: Complete and add your information here)
“Between the light - and me - and then the Windows failed - and then I could not
see to see -”
What she believes it’s like dying
Image and Explanation
I heard a Fly Buzz when i died
attempts to imagine the transition
between life and death.