There is no Frigate like a Book (1263) Emily Dickinson, 1830 – 1886
There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away,
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears a Human soul.
1. Read through the poem a few times and underline any words that you are not familiar with (Remember - this poem was written over 250 years ago ... so language has changed a bit since then!)
2. Identify the language features Dickinson has used to present her ideas.
3. Which words sound playful or adventurous?
4. Dickinson compares books to various forms of transportation like a frigate, coursers, and chariot. If you were to rewrite the verse, what modern forms of transportation would you place in that section of the poem?
5. Write a statement outlining the central idea of the poem, explaining how the poet has presented this idea to us.