MODULE TWO - Discussion Board Notes

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In the poem "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," by Emily Dickinson, there are elements that show New Criticism's symbolism and formal elements. 1. Symbolism : New Criticism focuses on the use of symbols in a literary work. In this poem, the "narrow fellow" symbolizes a snake. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the snake's movements and appearance. The snake represents nature's mysterious and often unsettling presence. By using the snake as a symbol, Dickinson explores themes of fear, danger, and the unknown. 2. Formal elements : New Criticism pays close attention to the formal elements of a poem, such as rhyme, meter, and structure. In "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," Dickinson utilizes a consistent meter and rhyme scheme to create a musical and rhythmic flow. The poem consists of six quatrains, with each line following the iambic trimeter pattern. This consistent structure enhances the poem's impact and emphasizes the snake's stealthy movements. Overall, the connection between New Criticism's symbolism and formal elements in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" lies in how Dickinson effectively uses the snake as a symbol and employs a consistent structure to convey the poem's themes and evoke an emotional response in the reader. Why is A Narrow Fellow in the Grass New Criticism? AI-generated answer "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" can be analyzed from a New Criticism perspective due to its focus on close reading and the examination of textual elements to uncover multiple layers of meaning.

1. Symbolism : New Criticism focuses on the exploration of symbols within a text. In "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," the snake can be interpreted as a symbol representing fear, deception, or even mortality. By closely examining the poem's symbols, readers can gain a deeper understanding of its thematic elements. 2. Formal elements : While New Criticism primarily focuses on textual analysis, it also acknowledges the importance of formal elements. In this poem, attention can be paid to the structure, rhyme scheme, and language choices. For example, the poem's consistent quatrains and ABCB rhyme scheme contribute to its overall formal structure and highlight the poet's meticulous attention to form. In summary, "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" can be considered a New Criticism poem because it invites close reading and textual analysis to explore its ambiguity, paradoxical language, symbolism, and formal elements. This approach allows readers to uncover multiple layers of meaning and appreciate the intricacies of the poem's construction. Two symbolic quotes: Two symbolic quotes in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" are: 1. "A spotted shaft is seen—/And then it closes at your feet/And opens further on." This quote symbolizes the snake's movement and its elusive nature. The "spotted shaft" represents the snake's body, which is spotted or patterned. The line "And then it closes at your feet/And opens further on" illustrates how the snake moves swiftly and unpredictably. It symbolizes the snake's ability to disappear and reappear, creating a sense of mystery and evoking feelings of surprise and uncertainty.

2. "But never met this Fellow/Attended, or alone/Without a tighter breathing/And zero at the bone." This quote symbolizes the fear and awe associated with encountering the snake. The phrase "tighter breathing" suggests a physical and emotional response to fear, indicating the speaker's increased breathlessness or tension in the presence of the snake. The line "And zero at the bone" symbolizes a bone-chilling sensation or a feeling of numbness, emphasizing the intense impact the snake has on the speaker. This symbolizes the primal fear and deep reverence that the snake elicits. Two formal element quotes: AI-generated answer Two formal elements in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" are: 1. Meter: The poem follows a consistent meter known as iambic tetrameter. This means that each line contains four iambs, which are two-syllable units with the stress falling on the second syllable. An example of this formal element can be found in the line: "A NARrow FELlow IN the GRASS." The iambic meter creates a rhythmic and musical quality, contributing to the poem's overall structure and flow. 2. Rhyme: "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" features an end rhyme scheme, where the final words of each line rhyme with one another. The rhyme scheme in this poem follows an ABAB pattern. For instance, the first and third lines of the poem rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme as well. An example of this formal element can be seen in the lines: "You may have met Him—did you not?/His notice sudden is—." The use of rhyme adds a musical quality to the poem, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and creating a sense of cohesion.

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What are the advantages of A Narrow Fellow in the Grass being New Criticism? Analyzing "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" from a New Criticism perspective offers several advantages: 1. In-depth interpretation: New Criticism encourages readers to closely examine the text, focusing on its language, imagery, and symbolism. By applying this approach to the poem, readers can uncover multiple layers of meaning and gain a deeper understanding of the poet's intentions and the poem's thematic elements. 2. Attention to formal elements: New Criticism recognizes the importance of formal elements, such as structure, rhyme, and meter. By paying close attention to these aspects in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," readers can appreciate the poet's skillful use of form to enhance the poem's overall meaning and impact. 3. Appreciation of ambiguity: This poem is rich in ambiguity, offering multiple interpretations and possibilities. New Criticism encourages readers to embrace this ambiguity and engage in close analysis to unravel its complexities. By doing so, readers can appreciate the intricacies of the poem and the range of meanings it can evoke. 4. Exploration of paradox: "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" employs paradoxical imagery, presenting seemingly contradictory ideas within the same line or stanza. New Criticism allows readers to delve into these paradoxes, examining the tension and deeper meanings they create. This exploration enriches the reading experience and fosters a deeper appreciation for the poem's complexity. In summary, analyzing "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" from a New Criticism perspective offers advantages such as in-depth interpretation, attention to formal elements, appreciation of

ambiguity, and exploration of paradox. This approach allows readers to engage deeply with the poem, uncovering its layers of meaning and gaining a fuller understanding of its artistic value. SECOND GO AROUND WITH SYMBOLISM ETC. The advantages of "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" being analyzed through the lens of New Criticism using symbolism and formal elements are as follows: 1. Deeper understanding: By examining the poem through New Criticism, we can gain a deeper understanding of the symbolic meaning behind the "narrow fellow" and its representation of fear and the unknown. This analysis allows us to appreciate the poem's themes and messages on a more profound level. 2. Enhanced appreciation of form: New Criticism's focus on formal elements allows us to appreciate the meticulous crafting of the poem. Analyzing the rhyme scheme, meter, and structure helps us understand how Emily Dickinson intentionally used these elements to create a specific rhythm and musicality, enhancing the overall impact of the poem. 3. Insight into the poet's intentions: New Criticism encourages us to look beyond the surface level of a poem and consider the poet's intentions. By examining the symbolism and formal elements in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," we can speculate on Dickinson's purpose in using a snake as a symbol and how she wanted the poem to resonate with readers. 4. Interpretive richness: New Criticism's emphasis on symbolism and form allows for a range of interpretations. The poem can be analyzed from various angles, considering different symbolic meanings and exploring the nuances of the formal elements. This interpretive richness adds depth and complexity to our understanding of the poem.

In summary, approaching "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" through New Criticism's lens of symbolism and formal elements provides a deeper understanding of the poem, enhances appreciation for its form, offers insights into the poet's intentions, and allows for multiple interpretations that enrich the reading experience.  Why would I choose New Criticism as a literary theory for A Narrow Fellow in the Grass? Choosing New Criticism as a literary theory for analyzing "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" can offer several benefits: 1. Focus on the text: New Criticism emphasizes close reading and analysis of the text itself, rather than relying on external factors or authorial intent. This approach allows readers to engage directly with the language, imagery, and symbolism in the poem, enabling a thorough exploration of its literary elements and their effects. 2. Attention to formal aspects: New Criticism values the formal elements of a literary work, such as structure, rhyme, and meter. Applying this theory to "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" enables readers to appreciate the poem's carefully crafted form and how it contributes to the overall meaning and impact of the piece. 3. Exploration of ambiguity and paradox: This theory encourages readers to embrace ambiguity and paradox, which are prevalent in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass." By focusing on the intricate details and multiple interpretations within the poem, New Criticism allows for a deeper understanding of the layers of meaning and the complexities that arise from the tension between seemingly contradictory ideas.

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4. Independence from authorial context: New Criticism disregards external factors, including the poet's biography and historical context, to focus solely on the text itself. By adopting this approach, readers can form their own interpretations of the poem based on the literary devices and techniques employed, rather than relying on extraneous information. Overall, choosing New Criticism as a literary theory for analyzing "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" allows for a thorough examination of the poem's form, language, and meaning. It encourages readers to engage directly with the text, explore its formal aspects, unravel its ambiguities and paradoxes, and form independent interpretations based solely on the words on the page.  What is a quote from A Narrow Fellow in the Grass that shows appreciation of ambiguity and in-depth interpretation which are found in New Criticism? One quote from "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" that demonstrates appreciation of ambiguity and in-depth interpretation, which align with the principles of New Criticism, is: "But never met this Fellow/Attended, or alone/Without a tighter breathing/And zero at the bone." This quote exemplifies ambiguity through its multiple possible interpretations. The phrase "tighter breathing" can be understood as a reaction of fear or anxiety in the presence of the snake, highlighting the potential danger it poses. However, "tighter breathing" can also be seen as a metaphor for heightened awareness or a sense of awe, suggesting a deeper, more complex reaction to the snake's presence.

Furthermore, the line "And zero at the bone" adds another layer of ambiguity. It can be interpreted as a chilling sensation running through the speaker's bones due to fear. On the other hand, "zero" can also represent a sense of numbness or emptiness, signifying the speaker's awe and profound impact of encountering the snake. These ambiguous phrases in the quote provide room for in-depth interpretation, allowing readers to engage with the poem's complexity and explore various meanings. New Criticism encourages this type of close reading and analysis to uncover the multiple layers of meaning within a text. What are quotes from A Narrow Fellow in the Grass that would show Symbolism and formal elements when analyzing the poem? Here are quotes from "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" that demonstrate both symbolism and formal elements: Symbolism: 1. "A spotted shaft is seen—/And then it closes at your feet/And opens further on." This quote symbolizes the snake's movement and its elusive nature. The "spotted shaft" represents the snake's body, which is spotted or patterned. The line "And then it closes at your feet/And opens further on" illustrates how the snake moves swiftly and unpredictably. It symbolizes the snake's ability to disappear and reappear, creating a sense of mystery and evoking feelings of surprise and uncertainty. 2. "But never met this Fellow/Attended, or alone/Without a tighter breathing/And zero at the bone."

This quote symbolizes the fear and awe associated with encountering the snake. The phrase "tighter breathing" suggests a physical and emotional response to fear, indicating the speaker's increased breathlessness or tension in the presence of the snake. The line "And zero at the bone" symbolizes a bone-chilling sensation or a feeling of numbness, emphasizing the intense impact the snake has on the speaker. This symbolizes the primal fear and deep reverence that the snake elicits. Formal Elements : 1. Meter: The poem follows a consistent meter known as iambic tetrameter. This means that each line contains four iambs, which are two-syllable units with the stress falling on the second syllable. An example of this formal element can be found in the line: "A NARrow FELlow IN the GRASS." The iambic meter creates a rhythmic and musical quality, contributing to the poem's overall structure and flow. 2. Rhyme: "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" features an end rhyme scheme, where the final words of each line rhyme with one another. The rhyme scheme in this poem follows an ABAB pattern. For instance, the first and third lines of the poem rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme as well. An example of this formal element can be seen in the lines: "You may have met Him—did you not?/His notice sudden is—." The use of rhyme adds a musical quality to the poem, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and creating a sense of cohesion. These quotes exemplify the symbolism present in the poem through the representation of the snake's movement and the emotional impact it has on the speaker. Additionally, the formal

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elements of meter and rhyme contribute to the poem's structure, rhythm, and overall aesthetic appeal.

MODULE TWO - Discussion Board Notes

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