Analysis of I am ashamed—I hide

Emily Dickinson 1830 (Amherst) – 1886 (Amherst)



I am ashamed—I hide—
What right have I—to be a Bride—
So late a Dowerless Girl—
Nowhere to hide my dazzled Face—
No one to teach me that new Grace—
Nor introduce—my Soul—

Me to adorn—How—tell—
Trinket—to make Me beautiful—
Fabrics of Cashmere—
Never a Gown of Dun—more—
Raiment instead—of Pompadour—
For Me—My soul—to wear—

Fingers—to frame my Round Hair
Oval—as Feudal Ladies wore—
Far Fashions—Fair—
Skill to hold my Brow like an Earl—
Plead—like a Whippoorwill—
Prove—like a Pearl—
Then, for Character—
Fashion My Spirit quaint—white—
Quick—like a Liquor—
Gay—like Light—
Bring Me my best Pride—
No more ashamed—
No more to hide—
Meek—let it be—too proud—for Pride—
Baptized—this Day—a Bride—


Scheme AABCCX XXXDDE EDEBBBFGFGAXAAA
Poetic Form
Metre 110111 11111101 11011 1111101 11111111 10111 110111 10111100 10110 1001111 1011100 111111 1011111 10110101 1101 11111111 1101 1101 11100 1011011 11010 111 11111 1101 1111 11111111 011101
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 775
Words 114
Sentences 1
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 6, 6, 15
Lines Amount 27
Letters per line (avg) 20
Words per line (avg) 4
Letters per stanza (avg) 178
Words per stanza (avg) 37
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 01, 2023

34 sec read
218

Emily Dickinson

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet. more…

All Emily Dickinson poems | Emily Dickinson Books

50 fans

Discuss this Emily Dickinson poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "I am ashamed—I hide" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/11719/i-am-ashamed%E2%80%94i-hide>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    8
    hours
    47
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    A Persian poet writing in the 14th century who had a strong impact and influence on Goethe
    A Ferdowsi
    B Rumi
    C Hafez
    D Sa'adi