Realization Of "Circumference" In Emily Dickinson's Poetry

Held as one of the pioneers in modern American poetry, Emily Dickinson has established her unique position in the literary world. This thesis attempts to explore the ways Dickinson employed to effect the "Circumference" of her poems."Circumference" is a big word in Emily Dickinson's canon. In terms of poetry, Emily Dickinson means by "Circumference" the connoted meaning of the poems. When reading Emily Dickinson's poems, we will feel an extra meaning existing beyond the compressed poetic structure. "Circumference" is actually a metaphor for this extra meaning and the poetic structure itself is the center.In the introduction, what is discussed first is Emily Dickinson's theory about the "Circumference" of her poetry. Then the aim of this thesis is presented. Also introduced in this part are the poet's life and her poetry. The second chapter gives interpretations of Emily Dickinson's "Circumference" in other subject matters than poetry. In the third chapter, Dickinson's ways to realize the ''Circumference" of her poems are explored from four aspects: rhyme and rhythm, grammar, rhetorical devices, and negative expressions.