'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers

Definition Poem
1. Poet attempts to provide a physical description of an abstract concept
2. Hope is like a small bird which exists within us
  1. 'perches in the soul'
Stanza 1
1. Description of hope
2. Bird/Hope
  1. Vulnerable
  2. Strong
  3. Fragile
  4. Resiliant
Stanza 2
1. The comfort hope provides in times of stress + uncertainty
2. What hopes has been for others
3. Storm must be very strong to quieten the bird (hope)
4. Many people have experienced the comfort of hope in times of distress
  1. 'That could abash the little Bird that kept so many warm-'
Stanza 3
1. Personal experience of hope in times of personal anguish
2. Hope is very generous - constantly giving without asking for anything
3. Poet has been through bad times but found hope
4. 'I've heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet, never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb - Of Me.
Hope
1. Fragile but strong + resiliant
2. Bird is placed in the harshest of environments but sings and keeps 'many warm' all the while
3. Never dies: It is said to 'never' stop singing 'at all'
Hardship
1. Images of freezing + strange lands describe her suffering
2. Speaker is not alone (as in other poems) - Hope is always there

Resource summary

	Created by Tara Matthews about 9 years ago