Q1. What is this poem about?
The poem talks about the life of a gun that had “stood” until the “owner passed” and decided to take it with him wherever he went. The rest of the poem talks about what the gun does to serve his master day and night during his travels.
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Q2. What is most striking to you about this poem?
The one thing that Emily has attempted with this poem is to make it mystic. It riddles the readers and lets them have their own interpretations of it. Thus it can have multiple meanings of its own.
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Q3. Point out at least three literacy technique which is used in this poem.
Personification, in the context of gun, Metaphor, in the context of life, and word play are the most important devices that have been used throughout the poem. These devices are successful in developing a dark tone creating a scenario where death outlives life.
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Q4. How does the poem develop? In other words, how does it change from beginning to end? Does the speaker realise something new? Does he or she change emotionally?
The poem develops in three stages, one when the speaker is powerful yet of no use, next, when its important and lastly, when death outlives life of the owner. Through 'Loaded gun', Dickinson has attempted to talk about multiple things at once. For instance, the life of a woman who is suppressed yet dangerous but when given the power can destroy many people. Another interpretation can be that “Him” and “His” denote to God and how everything is at the mercy of the Lord.
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Q5. What do you think is the main idea, emotion or impression the poem is trying to communicate?
I like the puzzle that this poem creates for its readers making them feel multiple emotions of despair, loneliness, happiness, anger all at once. It has been construed with a genius to critique without letting anyone have a hint about it.
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Q6. What is your personal response to this poem?
The subtlety of Dickinson text can indicate her brilliancy as a poet as well as the sadness and anger she felt towards the societal suppression of women.
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