Emily Dickinson Literary Devices

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Recommended: Critical analysis of poems by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson’s poem uses symbolism, metaphors, and tone to portray the message that she will never live her life selfishly if she can end her suffering and save someone from experiencing the same pain she is. In lines one and two, Dickinson uses usage of words to portray her desire to save someone from the pain and for someone to end her agony. In the first line, Dickinson explains how if in some way she was ever able to prevent someone from the torture of a heart break, she will never feel or be egocentric again. The way she explains her desire by writing the word 'vain', indicates that she has or is experiencing the pain of a heartache or of losing the potential love of her life, a relative, or a dear friend. By saying vain, she also

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