Extended Metaphor In Emily Dickinson's Poem 371

Analyzing the poem by discovering how the author used literary elements usually is very essential to understanding the poem's theme. As one of the significant elements, extended metaphor may convey one of key ideas in poetry. Depending on the poem, extended metaphor may provide the opportunity to reflect on even more deep and hidden, but just as important concepts the author chooses to convey. Similarly, in the poem # 371, Emily Dickinson uses extended metaphor as practically the most essential element to convey her feelings in regard to The Antique Book held as fascinating and exciting volume.

Emily Dickinson compares real historical characters to the Antique Book, giving it the qualities of a fine gentleman. It is a "precious pleasure" to meet such a gentleman who will entice with and tell of his radical but thrilling notions. What must mesmerize Emily in the "Antique Book" are realistic images
It can also be seen as an acquaintance with a particular person. As when meeting the "gentlemen," the narrator may acquire strong fascination for this "person." Fascination of Emily Dickinson may be seen through diction, since it is evidently "a...pleasure...to meet and Antique Book." Further on, it is a "venerable Hand to take" and later it is "His quaint opinions- to inspect." It seems as if the subject begins to fascinate the narrator and thus the conversation begins to be more intriguing. Here, then, "Old Volume shake their Vellum Heads," thus tantalizing "-just so-" The encounter leaves the narrator with only the wish and that is to hear more. Undoubtedly, the same concept can be addressed to an act of reading a book. The "acquaintance" is then with an interesting book which one reads on to inspect its contents over and over, filled with radical but inspiring ideas. It can be said in overall that the point of interest in this poem arises from the first stanza to the