Question

Summary of poem Alabaster

Answer 1

The poem's theme revolves around the topic of death. Like many of her other poems, Emily Dickinson does not directly address the subject, but instead, she allows her words to guide the reader onto the topic of death.

The illustration she depicts with her opening lines, is that of people "sleeping" safely in their alabaster chambers. "Sleeping" references towards the eternal sleep that everyone must face when their life comes to an end. Rather than saying dead, the word sleep better fits the imagery that Emily depicts within the poem. Instead of using the word "casket," the word chamber is used instead.

These words bring forth the second theme of the poem, which is Christianity. The belief that life after death is real, changes the way one presents the topic of death. The person "sleeps," like a living person would, but this sleep is not eternal like death, this sleep has an end. They will awake when the "resurrection" occurs. The idea of resurrection lies within the belief that Jesus Christ will come a second 

Answer 2

Explanation:

But Emily Dickinson seems to be implying something else by saying that the dead are safe in their alabaster chambers: this idea suggests someone tucked up safely in bed, protected from the ravages of the outside world. The clue is provided in the line 'Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection'