A Discussion Of Religion In Emily Dickinson's Poetry
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Emily Dickinson continuously questions religion throughout her 501 poem and brings attention to the addiction that religion has caused throughout human cultures. Her poem begins with a broad statement of another world, then leads to a suggestion that this place in question is heaven. Focus begins to draw toward the never ending contemplation that man has had over the a world beyond reality. Dickinson's faith in religion slips as she references back towards herself and her battle within of the existence of an afterlife. With no evidence of the great beyond Emily Dickinson oversees the hunt that man continues in vain, as she gives up what faith she might of had. She concludes that faith itself is the addiction that people hold tightly even though…show more content… A background is created and a very faint description is given of this world. Her wording suggests a place of comfort and serenity, “Invisible, as Music – / But positive, as Sound” (Dickinson 3-4). These two lines do not create a visual advantage, but do suggest a heavenly surrounding in a very light and inconclusive way. As faint as these words come across, they begin creating the a ongoing questioning of religion. They are not presented as strong and factual, but instead whimsical to give a sense of fantasy and illusion. Heaven, the place in question, becomes a land of mystical fantasy in Dickinson's eyes from the start, but this being a paradise brings many to come and wish it true. This heaven presents a world without conclusion and a place of escape after death, which is one of the most feared subjects throughout man-kind. With the questioning of religion from the very start brings an uneasiness to the comfort that many have been found in faith. Emily Dickinson may begin her poem with a beautiful hope in heaven but soon continues into the human turmoil caused by the lack of evidence that would give life to this