When I Hoped I Feared
The poem explores the speaker's conflicted emotions when they hope for something that could potentially bring them joy but also fear its consequences. The speaker acknowledges their desire and simultaneously expresses anxiety about the outcome, highlighting the complexities of human emotions.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Metaphysical · 59 words
First lines
When I hoped I feared, Since I hoped I dared; Everywhere alone As a church remain; Spectre cannot harm, Serpent cannot charm; He deposes doom, Who hath suffered him.
What this Textopian page supports
When I Hoped I Feared is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Metaphysical, Religious, Gothic
- Length: 59 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential concepts such as hope, fear, and the nature of suffering, which are central to philosophical inquiry.
- Metaphysical — The poem delves into abstract ideas and the nature of reality, typical of metaphysical literature.
- Religious — References to churches and spiritual elements suggest a religious or spiritual dimension.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Mortality · Loss · Fear · Hope · Existentialism · Philosophy · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor