Poem I'm Nobody! Who are you?" Summary by Emily Dickinson
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Introduction:
"I'm Nobody! Who are you?" is a poem written by Emily Dickinson. It is a short and succinct poem that brings out the poet's thoughts on one's self.
About the Poet:
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was a notable American poet. She is known for her often bold writing style. Famous works of hers include "Hope Is The Thing With Feathers", "I Taste A Liquor Never Brewed", and "Success Is Counted Sweetest".
Structure:
This poem is divided into 2 stanzas consisting of 4 lines each. It follows an irregular rhyme.
Explanation of the Stanzas:
Stanza 1:
I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you Nobody too? Then there's a pair of us! Don't tell! they'd advertise you know!
The poem begins with the persona declaring that they are a nobody and asks the listener, the reader, if they are the same. Happy that both of them are not well-known, the persona warns the listener to keep it that way else they would advertise and they would become known by the world.
Stanza 2:
How dreary to be Somebody! How public like a Frog To tell one's name ' the livelong June ' To an admiring Bog!
The persona further explains why they prefer anonymity in this stanza. They find it dreary to be known as Somebody. They compare it to being a Frog who sings loudly, watching a bog.
Conclusion:
This is a thought-provoking poem. It critiques attention-mongers and reveals how being anonymous is preferable.
Poetry I'm Nobody! Who are you?" Poem Summary & Analysis by Emily Dickinson