Feminist Approach

I Gave Myself To Him

I gave myself to Him-
And took Himself, for Pay,
The solemn contract of a Life
Was ratified, this way-The Wealth might disappoint-
Myself a poorer prove
Than this great Purchaser suspect,
The Daily Own-of LoveDepreciate the Vision-
But till the Merchant buy-
Still Fable-in the Isles of Spice-
The subtle Cargoes-lie-At least-'tis Mutual-Risk-
Some-found it-Mutual Gain-
Sweet Debt of Life-Each Night to owe-
Insolvent-every Noon-

       The feminist approach considers how the portrayal of female characters can be negative and have sexual stereotypes. It looks at the relationship between man and women in society and it also reminds us how in the past women were unequal to men. In the poem, “I Gave Myself To Him,” the feminist theory is shown. The line, “I gave myself to him,” shows how women give themselves to men like they are objects. This is stereotypical because it is showing how women are viewed as objects to men and how men are the ones in charge.  I think this poem is about how she gave him her heart and soul and she expects him to do the same.  This is an example of feminist theory because women are stereotypically more emotionally involved in the relationship more than men. They tend to show their feelings and are more into showing that they care.

Marxist Approach

     The marxist approach has to do with communism.  It emphasizes the role of class and the relationship it has between with people of higher class and lower class. "The Sickness of the World," relates to marxist because it refers to communism and how its spreads like a diesease.  This also relates to marxist because of modern day events such as world war two and class separation of today and how it's sick.

Formalism Approach

 The formalism approach looks at the form of literature rather than the content.  It focuses more on the text.  For example how literal something is. This is a poem that Emily Dickinson wrote that was unfishied. She wrote it to a friend on the back of a letter that she sent to her to Amherst. This poem is more of a formal poem that is being adressed to the lover of god. it is also saying that humans are the devine creation of the sky. Emily Dickinson doesnt rhyme in any of her poems, but this poem if you read it over and over again, there is a rhyming tone to it with the "new" and "truth". This enhances the tone and meaning of the poem.  Formalist critics also look at poems and pieces of work as a unifed meaning whole.  This poem flows together and unifies. The structure flows very well even though the poem isnt finished.

Deathbed Poem

Extoll thee- Could I? Then I Will

By saying nothing new-

But just the truest truth

That thou art heavenly.

Perceiving thee is evidence

That we are of the sky

Partaking thee a guaranty

Of Immortality.