In a Library by Emily Dickinson
The poem explores the idea of being trapped in a library, surrounded by books and knowledge, but feeling disconnected from the world outside. The speaker describes the experience as one of isolation and confinement, where time stands still and the only sound is the rustling of pages. The poem touches on themes of loneliness, disconnection, and the search for meaning in a sea of information.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Literary, Historical · 230 words
First lines
A precious, mouldering pleasure 't is To meet an antique book, In just the dress his century wore; A privilege, I think,
His venerable hand to take, And warming in our own, A passage back, or two, to make To times when he was young.
His quaint opinions to inspect, His knowledge to unfold On what concerns our mutual mind, The literature of old;
What interested scholars most, What competitions ran When Plato was a certainty. And Sophocles a man;
What this Textopian page supports
In a Library is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary, Historical, Philosophical
- Length: 230 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
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- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering In a Library?
- How does this poem by Emily Dickinson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Literary — The poem explores themes of nostalgia, history, and the enduring nature of literature, which are common in literary works.
- Historical — References to historical figures and past centuries suggest a connection to historical themes.
- Philosophical — The poem reflects on the nature of knowledge and the passage of time, which are philosophical themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Mortality · Existentialism · Solitude · Isolation · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Allegory