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The Soul selects her own Society
by Emily Dickinson

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1. What is the poem’s tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?

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1. What is the poem’s tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?

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Emily Dickinson writes with an assertive, clear tone about how she remains isolated from the world, yet enjoys it. She utilizes very bold words to emphasize how she is indifferent of others may think her strange that she chooses loneliness and separation. For example, the word "shut" in "the soul selects her own society---then---shuts the Door" is bolder than weakly 'closing' it or 'turning away' from other people. In addition, she describes her own self as just sitting there "unmoved" by chariots of wealthy princes and Emperors. The way she describes herself as just starring at them instead of 'waving them away', or 'politely refusing them' demonstrates her clearness in the life and text; she refuses people and shuts them out, whether society or her readers may like it or not. Lastly, she ends with "...close the values of her attention Like Stone...", finishing strong, not compromising her own personality to please readers that may think she acted strangely.

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3. What images does the poet use? How do the images relate to one another?

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3. What images does the poet use? How do the images relate to one another?

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In Emily Dickinson's writing, she incorporates the idea of independence through imagery. She pushes away everything that would weave her life into something unwanted. She writes, "Then -- Shuts the Door --... Present no more --" This exemplifies that Dickinson does not want to be social or converse with others. She uses the door, which symbolizes her mind, to assist the reader in understanding her thoughts. When she states that she shuts the doors, it gives the reader an image so they can better recognize the concept of Dickinson's mind shutting people out. Another image that Emily creates presents a view of her individualistic personality. She states, "Unmoved -- she notes the Chariots -- pausing -- At her low Gate -- Unmoved -- an Emperor be kneeling, Upon her Mat --" This text displays that even though Dickinson might have others that desire her and her time, she will ignore them. She uses the word unmoved twice which makes the word bolder and more meaningful. Both excerpts explain to the reader that Dickinson has a very independent nature that no one can penetrate.

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6. What is the theme (the central idea) of this poem? Can you state it in a single sentence? Elaborate on your idea.

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6. What is the theme (the central idea) of this poem? Can you state it in a single sentence? Elaborate on your idea.

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Choosing your own desires and paths over what other people might expect of you is a powerful theme in Dickinson's poem. Self-reliance and independence prove to be the speaker's core needs. The poem reads, " I've known her -- from an ample nation -- Choose One -- Then -- close the Valves of her attention --" These lines are explaining to the reader that the speaker is choosing herself over others and she will not stay to listen to them. "Closing the valves of her attention" presents the concept of staying firm with her beliefs by not getting distracted by anything that doesn't meet her standards. In addition, the girl notices the Chariots that pass by her which can give her a new life but she refuses to join them. Dickinson writes, "Unmoved -- she notes the Chariots -- pausing --" She follows her own desires instead of abiding by the world's rules. Her own rules will shape her in the way she aspires to be and no one will pierce that motivation.

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8. How important is the contribution of form, such as rhyme scheme and line arrangement? How does form influence the overall effect of the poem? 

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8. How important is the contribution of form, such as rhyme scheme and line arrangement? How does form influence the overall effect of the poem? 

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The briskness and assertiveness of the second and fourth lines of each stanza demonstrate Emily Dickinson's independence, and also the lesson in the title. In the 2nd and 4th lines, by using capitalized one-syllable ending words such as "Then shuts the Door", "At her low Gate", and "Like Stone", this special form creates a sound effect of a door slamming. A slamming door alludes to how Dickinson was not afraid to remain isolated and lonely, because she enjoyed being so; she shut people away from her life without hesitation. This is especially significant as everyone thought Dickinson was peculiar. However, Dickinson gave her story using this form to communicate to others that in order to live life the way a person wants to, as the title demonstrates, they must be strong-willed and reject all peer pressure. Both the form and the speaker's life story of a lack of hesitation inspire readers  to believe in themselves and live their own way. This is the message that is embedded in the title and the poem's meaning.