There's A Certain Slant Of Light

In many ways, Dickinson’s poetry feels ahistorical. Despite living through the American Civil War, her poetry makes no explicit mention of this turmoil. This absence may be explained by geographical, autobiographical, and literary influences. Living in Massachusetts, her day-to-day life was likely unaffected despite Dickinson’s reading of the news about the war. In addition, her immediate family did not serve in the war, as her brother paid a fee rather than enlist. Since she lived more reclusively by the time of the war, her removal from the wider world might also explain this absence. The personal element of her poetry and her focus on small moments might also explain why such a significant historical event is absent from her work.

In contrast, her poetry is deeply grounded in the historical beliefs of the 19th century. Dickinson identified as a Congregationalist, a branch of the Calvinist church. Her most commonly used meter is the same as those used by hymns. This poem’s understanding of faith and despair are important ideas for Christianity at the time. Despair, one of two sins that could prevent a person from being allowed into Heaven, is the ultimate loss of hope.