Emily Dickinson Connotation

Literature is a stimulant for imagination and inspiration. Depriving one of literary and poetic works suppresses expansion and growth. Emily Dickinson’s poem “There is no Frigate like a Book,” suggests that literature, allows readers to distance themselves from reality and embark on limitless journeys. Dickinson’s use of words with particular connotations gives her short poem a rich and meaningful aspect.
Diction is what forms a piece of literature and is vital for impact on the reader. Dickinson’s word choice compares literature to several modes of transportation that carry readers away from reality into the world of infinite possibilities. In the first line of the poem “There is no Frigate like a Book” Dickinson uses the word “Frigate” to
“This Traverse may the poorest take/Without oppress of Toll” (Lines 5-6) is a reminder that the power of literature works on everybody regardless of their social class. Here “traverse” which literal term means to travel through, is used to express a sense of danger, mystery, and adventure. Dickinson uses “traverse” to suggest that books are dangerous expeditions waiting to be conquered. Meanwhile, “oppress” connotes a sense of powerlessness. People of the lower class often feel “oppressed” by those of higher social status, but books and poetry do not mind their poverty. Furthermore “toll” denotes a payment one must make, such as a fee. Dickinson uses “toll” to indicate the connotation of a limit or burden that one must suffer through. In other words, the poet is stating that literature does not scrutinize the reader and that reading is free of charge. These words work together to bring forth the idea that even the poorest person can be carried to mysterious journeys , without ever being "oppressed" by having to stop at a tollbooth and pay. Dickinson then goes on to state “How frugal is the Chariot / That bears the Human soul” (Lines 7-8). Dickinson connotes “frugal” as conserving money and economical. Frugal often has negative associations but Dickinson uses it to describe that the “Chariot” carrying the “human soul” is inexpensive. That is to say, traveling costs a great amount of money but literature offers an even better and cheaper experience. The poet uses the word “bears” because it relates to things of value. One would bear a child or bear expensive jewelry but would not bear things of little importance. Dickinson uses “bears” to connote that books carry people to inexplicable