This is the transcript from the Wednesday conversation in class on Harriet Jacob's. Anyone who is short journal assignments may want to respond to this, elaborating on various points, questioning certian points, correcting or clarifying points that were muddled by may transcription of what you said, or what have you, in a way that can kick off or extend a discussion. Click "read more" at the bottom to see the full text.

301
The author often writes “but, what of that”, through this repetition, she conveys a feeling of indifference to the negative thoughts she writes of. She conveys a feeling of indifference, she knows she conveys negative thoughts, but is generally unaffected by them. It is a somewhat negative writing; she conveys the feeling that as humans we are not able to fully understand death. That we will die in complete ignorance.
435

301
What is "x"?
She repeats the phrases "I reason" and "But, what of that". Also, each stanza has four lines.
What does "x" do?
I think that this is showing that even though her reason is telling her all these depressing, yet inevitable things, she realizes that there really isn't anything she can do about it and that those things are just a part of life.
What does "x" mean?
That even though there are many depressing things to rest your mind on, they are all just facts of life and they shouldn't be dwelled upon.
435
What is "x"?

301
What is x?
A repetion of the question, "But, what of that?" at the end of each stanza
What does x do?
Makes the reader think about what the author just said, puts emphasis on it.
What does x mean?
It seems like the author was almost questioning herself, she would reason something but then after that thought question the importance of what she had just said

435
What is x?
An opposition between Madness and Sense
What does x do?
Creates confusion as to whether Dickinson was trying to show that the two were exact opposites or prove they really were the same thing

Having completed these steps, write a paragraph that explains your choice of one repetition or opposition (X), explain/describe what it does within the poem, and then explain what it means, why it is perhaps among the most significant elements of the poem or just worth examination. Do the above for each of the six assigned poems and respond to at least three journals from your classmates.

301
-I just accidentally clicked a link and it erased my entire journal...

it was entirely done and everything and now i'm really angry now, sooo i'll just have to finish later i guess
-danny syme

301. The repetition is the question at the end of each stanza that is repeated during the poem. "But, what of that?". It seems to ask the reader what they make of the ideas that she has just presented in the beginning of the stanza. She probably put the question in to make the reader think and analyze the importance of what she has said. "I reason, that in heaven- somehow, it will be even- Some new equation, given-" Is a good example of why she would put the question at the end.

-301

301

-I reason, is the repetition in this poem, adding to Dickinson's beliefs she states.
-It means that it's more than just an observation to her. It means that she is reasoning with her reader, and reasoning with herself, making these notions not frightening ones, but ones she sympathizes with, making us feel like everything is ok, in a sense.

435
-There's a relationship between "sense" and "madness" making the two sort of similar in context
-It's like Dickinson is saying that sense and madness are so similar and those obtaining one, obtain the other

632

301

What is x? I noticed the repetition of "I reason" and "But, what of this." By saying these she is saying she knows that this goes on but who cares kind of thing.

What does this do? This tells the reader that she knows that certain things happen and she knows the consequences but its like she is like so what?

What does this mean? This quote means that she knows about all the things that go on in life and she knows people die and stuff but its life.

435

First of all I think that Dickinson is a very good poet. Her poems are creepy and weird but I think that everyone has that side to them and she utilizes her thoughts well in poetry.

301

I noticed repitition of the phrases "I reason" and "But what of that?" The way that these phrases are used gives the reader the feeling that Dickinson is aware of the negative thoughts she is writing about, and she thinks about them, but she doesn't really get upset about it because she cannot change the consequences of them, she quite frankly doesn't care.

What does X do?