The history and evolution of the English language are central to my personal and professional development as both a writer and a critical audience. Understanding how poets like Emily Dickinson crafted their work in the nineteenth century provides a unique perspective into the literary and cultural lens of her era. Dickinson’s command of language, syntax, and style is an enduring source of inspiration, motivating me to write with deliberate purpose. Her analytical approach to poetic form informs my growth as a poet, mainly as I work on a narrative poem that integrates rhythm and rhyme. Dickinson’s verse exemplifies the power of intentionality in writing. As I observed in my essay on her style, “From a syntactical clause analysis, Dickinson purposely aligns words and phrases to create intense scrutiny. She plays with the semantics of word order and phrasing to create a riddle within her poetry” (Sayer). Dickinson’s ability to transcend her time and connect with modern audiences underscores the timelessness of her craft. This understanding enriches my perspective as a writer and a reader, sharpening my appreciation for the intricate nuances of language in storytelling.
The deliberate study and application of linguistic elements in English are essential to my writing growth. Analyzing the stylistic choices of other writers enhances my ability to critique and refine my voice. As I work toward completing my degree, I am developing a narrative poem that requires a distinctive style, one that moves beyond imitation and authentically reflects my perspective and intent. This process demands an awareness of purpose, careful vocabulary selection, and syntactical precision that conveys my unique voice to a targeted audience. Emily Dickinson exemplifies this mastery, employing vivid imagery and inventive language to express passion. In her poem “My Life Had Stood – a Loaded Gun”, she uses charged imagery to evoke a sense of violence and urgency. As I noted in my analysis, “These images provoke readers to discern the poet’s intent and evoke a mood of violence” (Sayer). Similarly, I aim to craft my narrative poem with a lens that reveals my perspective and passion, creating an experience that resonates with readers.
The interplay between society and the evolving nature of English significantly influences my approach as both a writer and a researcher. Observing how media and culture shape the use of English offers insight into the linguistic features that frame our perception of the world. For example, the once-static language of Old English continues to inform modern and postcolonial literature, as well as contemporary media. Moreover, the trend of creating invented languages in film and literature showcases the ongoing cultural fascination with linguistic complexity. In my discussion on Old English and its role in storytelling, I remarked, “The fun of inventing a language can be seen in the influx of constructed languages within the movie industry. Telling a story in Old English or a fabricated language invites audiences to engage with the intricacies of language” (Sayer). Integrating diverse linguistic elements into modern texts fuels my passion for exploring English’s rich, multifaceted nature.
By studying linguistic intricacies and embracing my style, I am committed to creating works that resonate with authenticity and purpose.
