Theres a certain Slant of light Emily Dickinson

There’s a certain Slant of light Emily Dickinson

258. There's a certain Slant of light, On Winter Afternoons. That oppresses, like the haft Of Cathedral Tunes. Heavenly hurt it gives us. We can find no scar, But internal difference. Where the Meanings are. None may teach it-any'Tis the seal, Despair. An imperial affliction Sent us of the Air. When it comes, the Landscape listens. Shadows hold their breath. When it goes, 'tis like the distance On the look of death-

Initially could be positive but… Both of these perhaps suggest informality There's a certain Slant of light, On Winter Afternoons. That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes. Light is often seen as uplifting in poetry…but not here. Not absolutely clear what she means – is it the way light appears through the clouds or is it the impression the light gives? Some versions use the word ‘heft’ – meaning weight.

Continuation of religious imagery…but Heaven is not supposed to ‘hurt’? ? Perhaps the light is a metaphor for internal conflict? Heavenly Hurt it gives us. We can find no scar, But internal difference. Where the Meanings are- What are ‘meanings’? Is it Dickinson’s understanding of certain feelings/issues? Maybe suggests a contrast – light can be beautiful but can also dazzle us. Perhaps she is considering the different ways in which people see things?

It is difficult for anyone to prepare for the ‘Meanings’ as it is so difficult to define. Some versions have ‘anything’. Could this refer to the fact that different people suffer from different ‘despairs’ ? None may teach it-Any'Tis the seal, Despair, An imperial affliction Sent us of the Air- What has created this ‘despair’? The light? Suggests it is everywhere Refers back to the ‘light’? Links the ‘outside’ (the light) with the inside (despair). Sums up the ‘light’, the ‘hurt’ and the ‘despair’.

The amount of dashes maybe links to holding breath? There is a sense of mystery here. What will happen? There is a real sense of silence here. When it comes, the Landscape listens. Shadows-hold their breath. When it goes, 'tis like the distance Landscape is On the look of Death- When the light leaves, it leaves an emptiness as does death. The dash at the end gives us an equal sense of emptiness – we feel the poem should continue elsewhere personified – like Dickinson, it is affected by the light.