Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Hope" is a poem by Emily Dickinson, an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. 

The poem was first published posthumously in 1891.The poem uses the metaphor of a bird to describe hope. Hope is described as a bird that perches in the soul and sings without words. The bird never stops singing, even in the midst of a storm. The speaker describes how, in the midst of a great storm, the little bird of hope continues to sing and keep many warm, suggesting that hope can provide comfort and resilience in difficult times.

The poem also emphasizes the resilience and independence of hope. The speaker has heard the bird of hope in the "chillest land" and on the "strangest sea," suggesting that hope can survive in any circumstance. The bird of hope does not ask for anything in return, emphasizing that hope is self-sufficient and can provide comfort and strength without needing anything from the speaker.

Overall, the poem suggests that hope is a powerful force that can provide comfort and resilience in difficult times. The bird metaphor emphasizes the lightness and independence of hope, while the resilience of the bird in the midst of a storm suggests that hope can provide comfort even in the most challenging circumstances.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...