Sunday, October 19, 2014

I’m Nobody! Who are you?



The following piece of literature is a short lyric poem by Emily Dickenson. The poem was first published in “Poems, Series 2,” in 1891. This is one of Dickenson’s most famous poems.

I’m Nobody! Who are you?

I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us -don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.

How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!

-Emily Dickenson


The first stanza of the poem uses repetition. This type of stylistic device should be used cautiously or the piece could become boring or clunky. Duplication of the word ‘nobody’ offers both rhythm and emphasis. Using the word ‘nobody’ twice, quickens the pace and creates a smooth transition from line-to-line. Repeating the word ‘nobody’ also draws attention to it. ‘Nobody’ now becomes the focal point of the poem. Because the word is so prominent from the very beginning of the poem, it gives more meaning to the lines that follow. Although the word is only mentioned in the first two lines, you know the rest of the poem is about these two ‘nobodies.’ Through the use of repetition, these two simple lines now sound more dramatic.

1 comment:

  1. That Dickenson poem is sweet. Repetition is a funny thing. I always used to think that it was really weird and I couldn't wrap my head around why a lot of poets were so apt to write that way. In reality though, rhythm and flow is everywhere. Just turn on the radio and listen to a song. Application doesn't make it different. It just puts it in a different package for delivery. Good post.

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