ENG 3520- Literature of the American Renaissance

Sounds exciting right? Mostly wrong! This class is a dud. I have to take it though; thank heaven it was only for 7 weeks instead of three months. The only exciting thing about it is that we have studied Emily Dickinson. I am fascinated by her. If you don't know who she is you didn't listen in your high school English class.

Emily Dickinson is one of the most famous American poets that ever lived. Oddly enough, during her lifetime she only published like 5 poems but she wrote over 1,700 poems. Dickinson's life was largely a mystery despite all of the letters and poems we have from her. Scholars argue whether she was agoraphobic or not and what her religious beliefs were. She was extremely mysterious and was even called "The Woman in White" and "The Myth" by her contemporaries. I highly recommend you research her because she is a great piece in the history of American Literature.

Emily Dickinson's poetry was extremely eccentric for her time. And I love it. I almost cried today when I was reading it because it was so beautiful. I would like to share some of my favorites....humor me, I'm an English Major.

I dwell in Possibility-

A fairer House than Prose-

More numerous of Windows-

Superior-for Doors-

Of Chambers as the Cedars-

Impregnable of eye-

And for an everlasting Roof

The Gambrels of the Sky-

Of Visitors-the fairest-

For Occupation-This-

The spreading wide my narrow hands

To gather Paradise-

-466

Should you but fail at- Sea-

In sight of me-

Or doomed lie-

Next Sun-to die-

Or rap-at Paradise-unheard-

I'd harass God-

Until He let you in!

-275

I held a Jewel in my fingers-

And went to sleep-

The day was warm, and winds were prosy-

I said "'Twill keep"-

I woke-and chid my honest fingers,

The Gem was gone-

And now, an Amethyst remembrance

Is all I own-

-261

Wonderful day. Spiritual thought here: http://lds.org/pages/moments?lang=eng

Also, if you haven't created a www.mormon.org profile, I think it would be a good idea for everyone! I did mine today and it's a great opportunity to share your testimony and be part of the Church's missionary work! DO IT!!!!!