Rules of Engagement: 1 - You must ADD ON to discussion. Do not repeat either what was said in class OR what someone else already posted about the poem you are discussing. 2 - Please indicate WHICH QUESTION you are answering in your response. 3 - Answer only ONE question. 4 - Make sure you answer ALL parts of that question--i.e. If it asks you to identify a poetic device like alliteration and connect to meaning, make sure you connect to meaning. :)
Emily Dickinson's #251 (p.3)
1. How is this a poem about gender?
2. Choose two words in the poem, discuss their connotations, and then connect to meaning.
#1 In a poem "251" by Emily Dickinson, she talks about gender inequality and unreachable desires experienced by women. Dickinson suggests about something sweet, healthy, and luxurious,fruits improving your immune system and cheering you up with its taste such as "strawberries", growing "over the fence". It's hidden. It seems that you have only thing to do and it is to climb, sounds like a very easy and effortless thing to do for a man; however, it's a huge step for a woman. She talks about women being punished and despised by God and his followers, thus by the whole society. Women had completely different purposes in their lives and much less opportunities to achieve their goals. Dickinson's saying about men being strong and brave enough in order to climb the the fence; in addition to women not even trying to get something forbidden for her because of pressure on her morals and duties she must complete with her "stained Apron". If she'd even dare to take that part of her life off, she would be chastised by her thinking out of box and crossing assigned border. Karina Gaisina
1) This poem reveals examples of double standards between men and women. The poem talks about a woman climbing a fence to get berries on the other side but she cannot because she is expected to stay inside. The white apron represents innocence that is expected of women and their duties as wives. The stained apron can really represent anything that "tarnishes" this perfect and innocent standard held against women. The woman in the poem desires freedom, it is almost taunting her, but social expectations restrict her from doing so. The task of getting berries is so easy for a man and seems so easy for a woman, the only thing tying her down from doing so is the unfair boundary drawn between what a woman is allowed to do and what a man is allwed to do. Jenna Sapienza
Question #2: In Emily Dickinsons poem, there were two specific words that suggested to have a meaning beyond what it explicitly described. For example, the word "fence" is known for being similar to a barrier intended to prevent intrusion or escaption. Many people wonder what is beyond the fence, but typically individuals do not check because of the possibility something dangerous is on the other side. In contrast, in this poem the author uses a positive interpretation of what lurks behind the fence. The poem tells us strawberries are over the fence which shows that a garden full of fruits is behind the fence. The fence isn't just a barrier, it is a defense tool used to prevent anyone from destroying the berries. Safety is represented from the fence. Furthermore, the person the author is describing in the poem shows a specific interest to climb the tree because it says, "I could climb- if I tried, I know- berries are nice! But- if I stained my apron god would certainly scold me". In this situation, the fence is necessary to prevent the person from going overboard and potentially ruining everything. Another word that has a meaning beyond what it actually is would be "climb". The word climb is associated with going up or ascending using your hands and feet. Climbing also represents the journey one is willing to take to achieve something special, it isn't simply just to go up or down, but to have a purpose. Climbing can also represent the amount of strength and time one needs to have to endure throughout, therefore, using the word climbing represents adventure. In addition, it also can represent individuals who are risk takers who aren't afraid of anything. In this poem, climbing can represent the journey from starting off creating a garden over the fence and the process, obsticales one needs to go through to have an intreguing garden full of berries.
Emily Dickensons poem "251" reveals many differences in gender roles. The poem starts with a women isolated with a fence around her. She says "I could climb-if I tried, I know", this identifies that if she was allowed to climb over the fence she would. However, with her being a woman it is restricted. Over the fence are strawberries, which is her goal. The strawberries have a positive connotation and are a desirable object she wishes to reach. She is also wearing an apron which indicates the stereotypical roles assigned to women. Then Dickenson states "God would certainly scold!", this proves that she will not climb over the fence because she is scared for the consequences that would come if she did so. At the end of the poem she describes what her life would be like as a man. He would be able to climb the fence and reach her desirable goal. All and all, the fence shows a division in gender roles which doesn't allow women to have the same fair opportunities as men.
2) The connotation of "Strawberries" is Men were allowed to basically do whatever they want, whether they want to have an affair or go outside and have a drink. Men are allowed to do whatever they want, but if a women even thinks about trying to have fun, she will be disgraced upon by the community. Another connotation of the word "Scold" is if a Women tried to go out and find work so she could make money of her own, without the approval of the Husband, she could get obliterated. Also the Husband would have control over her and any amount of money she would make in a week.
#1
ReplyDeleteIn a poem "251" by Emily Dickinson, she talks about gender inequality and unreachable desires experienced by women. Dickinson suggests about something sweet, healthy, and luxurious,fruits improving your immune system and cheering you up with its taste such as "strawberries", growing "over the fence". It's hidden. It seems that you have only thing to do and it is to climb, sounds like a very easy and effortless thing to do for a man; however, it's a huge step for a woman. She talks about women being punished and despised by God and his followers, thus by the whole society. Women had completely different purposes in their lives and much less opportunities to achieve their goals. Dickinson's saying about men being strong and brave enough in order to climb the the fence; in addition to women not even trying to get something forbidden for her because of pressure on her morals and duties she must complete with her "stained Apron". If she'd even dare to take that part of her life off, she would be chastised by her thinking out of box and crossing assigned border.
Karina Gaisina
1) This poem reveals examples of double standards between men and women. The poem talks about a woman climbing a fence to get berries on the other side but she cannot because she is expected to stay inside. The white apron represents innocence that is expected of women and their duties as wives. The stained apron can really represent anything that "tarnishes" this perfect and innocent standard held against women. The woman in the poem desires freedom, it is almost taunting her, but social expectations restrict her from doing so. The task of getting berries is so easy for a man and seems so easy for a woman, the only thing tying her down from doing so is the unfair boundary drawn between what a woman is allowed to do and what a man is allwed to do.
ReplyDeleteJenna Sapienza
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2: In Emily Dickinsons poem, there were two specific words that suggested to have a meaning beyond what it explicitly described. For example, the word "fence" is known for being similar to a barrier intended to prevent intrusion or escaption. Many people wonder what is beyond the fence, but typically individuals do not check because of the possibility something dangerous is on the other side. In contrast, in this poem the author uses a positive interpretation of what lurks behind the fence. The poem tells us strawberries are over the fence which shows that a garden full of fruits is behind the fence. The fence isn't just a barrier, it is a defense tool used to prevent anyone from destroying the berries. Safety is represented from the fence. Furthermore, the person the author is describing in the poem shows a specific interest to climb the tree because it says, "I could climb- if I tried, I know- berries are nice! But- if I stained my apron god would certainly scold me". In this situation, the fence is necessary to prevent the person from going overboard and potentially ruining everything. Another word that has a meaning beyond what it actually is would be "climb". The word climb is associated with going up or ascending using your hands and feet. Climbing also represents the journey one is willing to take to achieve something special, it isn't simply just to go up or down, but to have a purpose. Climbing can also represent the amount of strength and time one needs to have to endure throughout, therefore, using the word climbing represents adventure. In addition, it also can represent individuals who are risk takers who aren't afraid of anything. In this poem, climbing can represent the journey from starting off creating a garden over the fence and the process, obsticales one needs to go through to have an intreguing garden full of berries.
Question 2)
ReplyDeleteEmily Dickensons poem "251" reveals many differences in gender roles. The poem starts with a women isolated with a fence around her. She says "I could climb-if I tried, I know", this identifies that if she was allowed to climb over the fence she would. However, with her being a woman it is restricted. Over the fence are strawberries, which is her goal. The strawberries have a positive connotation and are a desirable object she wishes to reach. She is also wearing an apron which indicates the stereotypical roles assigned to women. Then Dickenson states "God would certainly scold!", this proves that she will not climb over the fence because she is scared for the consequences that would come if she did so. At the end of the poem she describes what her life would be like as a man. He would be able to climb the fence and reach her desirable goal. All and all, the fence shows a division in gender roles which doesn't allow women to have the same fair opportunities as men.
-Sara Tzumas
2) The connotation of "Strawberries" is Men were allowed to basically do whatever they want, whether they want to have an affair or go outside and have a drink. Men are allowed to do whatever they want, but if a women even thinks about trying to have fun, she will be disgraced upon by the community. Another connotation of the word "Scold" is if a Women tried to go out and find work so she could make money of her own, without the approval of the Husband, she could get obliterated. Also the Husband would have control over her and any amount of money she would make in a week.
ReplyDelete