If you were coming in the fall

1. Review the poem and break down the metrical structure—meter, rhythm, and rhymes—Dickinson uses. How does the meter influence the poem’s tone? Does the meter feel happy or sad? Upbeat or slow? Does this correspond or contradict the tone of the poem’s message? What is the effect of the relationship between tone and meter?

2. Referring to specific media (such as books or movies), summarize the way some media depicts true love. Do this in one paragraph with examples from the real world. In a second paragraph, discuss how the poem views this take on true love. Use evidence from the poem to decide how the speaker views their feelings for their lost lover. In a final paragraph, discuss your thoughts on these depictions of true love. Does media depict true love in a healthy, honest way? What about the poem? If not, what should the alternative be?