Question

read the poem.
i dwell in possibility
by emily dickinson
i dwell in possibility –
a fairer house than prose –
more numerous of windows –
superior – for doors –
of chambers as the cedars –
impregnable of eye –
and for an everlasting roof
the gambrels of the sky –
of visitors – the fairest –
for occupation – this –
the spreading wide my narrow hands
to gather paradise –

which statement best describes the structure of “i dwell in possibility”?
○ the poem uses different meters throughout its verses.
○ the poem contains exactly 14 lines.
○ the rhythmic pattern is iambic pentameter.
○ the poem is divided into an octave and a sestet.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

1. Analyze Option 1: "The poem uses different meters throughout its verses."

Emily Dickinson's "I Dwell in Possibility" has a varied metrical structure (e.g., some lines in iambic tetrameter, others with different beats), so this is accurate.

1. Analyze Option 2: "The poem contains exactly 14 lines."

A sonnet has 14 lines, but this poem does not follow the sonnet structure (it has 12 lines here, and Dickinson’s style is more free - form). Eliminate this.

1. Analyze Option 3: "The rhythmic pattern is iambic pentameter."

Iambic pentameter has 5 iambic feet per line. This poem does not consistently use iambic pentameter (e.g., lines are shorter/have different beats). Eliminate this.

1. Analyze Option 4: "The poem is divided into an octave and a sestet."

An octave (8 lines) + sestet (6 lines) is a Petrarchan sonnet structure. This poem does not have 14 lines (octave + sestet = 14) and does not follow that division. Eliminate this.

• Option 1: The poem has varied meters (e.g., iambic tetrameter and other rhythms) in its verses.
• Option 2: The poem does not have 14 lines (sonnet - like) and has a free - form structure.
• Option 3: It does not use iambic pentameter (5 iambic feet per line) consistently.
• Option 4: It does not follow the octave - sestet (Petrarchan sonnet) structure.

Answer:

A. The poem uses different meters throughout its verses.