Quatrain 1
In what ways can hunger be
seen as a metaphor for not
belonging
I had been hungry all the years’
Quatrain
alternate
I had been hungry all the years.
eight and
six syllable My noon had come to dine.
lines
I trembling drew the table near
Describe the rhyme
scheme
What is suggested by the word
“noon”
And touched the curious wine.
Why trembling?
This seems an interesting
choice of words. Are there any
religious allusions in this poem?
Quatrain 2
Extended gastronomic metaphor
continues from first quatrain.
'Twas this on tables I had seen
When turning hungry home
Comment on the narrative
perspective and the
adjectives used
throughout the poem.
I looked in windows for the wealth
I could not hope for mine.
The image of the window is introduced- the persona is
positioned figuratively, outside,alone, looking in. How
effective is this imagery in consideration of the poem as a
whole?
How are images of dissociation and the persona’s feelings of
displacement established in this stanza?
Quatrain 3
I did not know the ample bread.
'T was so unlike the crumb
The birds and I had often shared
In nature's dining-room.
The persona does not feel she belongs inside.
How does she feel about nature? Does the
personification suggest she is any more
comfortable here?
Contrast ample bread
..
and crumb religious
allusions? Also
comment on the rhyme
scheme
Quatrain 4
Why did the plenty hurt?
The plenty hurt me, 't was so new.
Myself felt ill and odd,
Comment on
the word
choice here.
As berry of a mountain bush
Transplanted to the road.
Comment on the effectiveness of this
simile? How does the simile convey
the persona’s feelings
Why is the gastronomic metaphor so appropriate to the
emotional and spiritual states of the speaker presented in this
poem?
Quatrain 5
“ Nor was I hungry…” the persona realises that
she does not desire what she previously lacked.
Nor was I hungry, so I found
That hunger was a way
Of persons outside windows
The entering takes away.
What is Dickinson’s final argument?
Extended metaphor of
window image.
.
• Homework –due in two days
• Write an extended response 300-400 words where
you bring together some of the main ideas in “I
had been hungry all the years’.”
• You could consider, the structure and progression
of the poem. The use and effect of poetic
techniques, the use of extended metaphors…
• Ideas concerning: displacement, dissociation,
isolation, belonging, not belonging…
• Complete during one of your study periods (hand
written response required). Bring to class on
Wednesday