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Emily Dickinson was a 19th-century American poet who lived most of her life in isolation. Though she wrote nearly 1,800 poems, only a few were published during her lifetime. Her writing often explores nature, death, and the quiet moments of existence. She had a unique voice of short lines, dashes, and deep meaning hidden in small things.

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“He glanced with rapid eyes / That hurried all abroad”

The Theme Portrays: Observation, Nature, and Fragility

This poem reminded me that sometimes the smallest moments hold the most beauty. It also made me want to notice the quiet things more such as the kind of stuff we usually miss when life feels too loud.

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Maya Angelou was a poet, memoirist, and activist who used her words to fight for civil rights, equality, and self-expression. Her life was full of challenges, but she turned her experiences into powerful art. “Still I Rise” is part of her legacy of resilience, strength, and pride, especially for Black women, but truly for anyone who has ever felt beaten down and kept going.

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“You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”

The Theme Portrays: Resilience, Identity, and Strength

Maya Angelou made me feel seen and her confidence was contagious. Her words hold strength for when the world tries to knock you down.

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Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and artist, best known for his book The Prophet. His writing blends philosophy, spirituality, and lyrical language. He believed deeply in love, pain, and the connection between all human experiences. “On Joy and Sorrow” comes from The Prophet and is a powerful meditation on how our deepest joys are born from our deepest sorrows.

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“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."

The Theme Portrays: Emotional Duality, Grief, and Love

This reading really stuck with me because it gave me a new understanding and way to look at pain. It made me feel like sorrow isn’t something to avoid as it’s something that makes room for deeper joy later on. Gibran’s words helped me to accept that both emotions have their place, and both help to shape who we are.

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Robert Frost was a beloved American poet known for writing about rural life, nature, and the emotional complexity hiding beneath everyday moments. His work often feels simple at first glance but carries deep psychological weight. “Home Burial” is a raw look at grief and the emotional distance that can grow between people even those who love each other.

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“Can’t a man speak of his own child he’s lost?”

The Theme Portrays: Grief, Isolation, Miscommunication

This poem felt heavy. As it captured how people can feel totally alone even when they’re standing next to each other. I saw how hard it is when grief pulls people in different directions and how silence can hurt just as much as words. It made me think about the importance of communication, especially in pain.

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William Shakespeare is arguably the most famous playwright in the world. He lived in the 16th century and wrote plays that still speak to us today because they’re full of life, love, jealousy, comedy, betrayal, and everything in between. Much Ado About Nothing shows how even in a world full of rumors and games, love and truth can still win.

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“For man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion.”

The Theme Portrays: Love, Deception, Reputation, and Humor

This play showed me that love is messy and humorous. Shakespeare used humor to reveal truths about pride, trust, and how easily people jump to conclusions. I loved how even through confusion and chaos, love still found a way to win.

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Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most well-known American writers of the 19th century. Famous for his gothic style and dark imagination, he wrote chilling stories and poems that explored fear, madness, and the darker corners of the human mind. “The Cask of Amontillado” is one of his best examples of psychological horror.

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“I must not only punish but punish with impunity.”

The Theme Portrays: Revenge, Pride, and Darkness

This poem serves as a reminder of how dangerous it is to let emotions like pride and vengeance take over. Poe’s story showed me a very different, but real, part of human nature.