Emily Dickinson's Use of Simile
How can we put meaningful experiences into words? It is not always so easy to explain
our ideas. However, in poetry, poets are able to express ideas and experiences in creative
ways. The notable poet Emily Dickinson does this through figurative language. In two of her
poems, Dickinson creates strong similes in order to convey important ideas.
To begin, Dickinson uses a simile in her poem "We outgrow love like other things." In
this poem, Dickinson compares love to something one grows out of, like an old piece of
clothing. She explains, "We outgrow love like other things." Even though Dickinson doesn't
clearly state what those "other things" are, she goes on to create an image of an old piece of
clothing one might outgrow, saying, "And put it in a drawer." In this line, she is comparing love
to an article of clothing that someone puts away because it no longer fits, like an old sweater.
She explains that this love, like old clothing, becomes "antique" and out of fashion, meaning
that it isn't important anymore. This is similar to what can happen to relationships that fade as
people grow older. By creating this simile, Dickinson is able to explain what happens to old
relationships in a creative and expressive way.
Similarly, Dickinson creates another simile in her poem "There is no frigate like a book."
In this poem, Dickinson compares reading to traveling. She explains, "There is no frigate like a
book/to take us lands away." In this line, Dickinson compares a book to a boat that can take
the reader to far off places. Even though a book can't physically transport someone, the act of
reading can take a reader to places in one's imagination. Unlike the first poem which is vague
and brief, Dickinson extends the simile by comparing books to other forms of transportation
such as a courser (horse) and a chariot. Additionally, Dickinson goes on to explain "This
traverse may the poorest take/without oppress of toll." This line means that ever the poorest
people can take the "journey" of reading because it doesn't cost anything. Like in the first
poem, Dickinson compares the act of reading to something more common, like traveling.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson uses the figurative language technique of simile to convey
ideas in her poetry. In her first poem, she compares faded love to an old piece of clothing that
someone outgrows. Likewise, in the second poem she compares books to modes of
transportation. These strong similes help Dickinson convey certain ideas in unique ways. By
using simile, we can easily understand why relationships sometimes don't last by comparing
them to old items in a wardrobe. Additionally, we can relate the experience of reading with the
experience of traveling to far off places. Using figurative language allows a poet to express
meaningful ideas and helps the reader understand abstract concepts. When else can love be a
sweater or a book be a boat?