Final answer:
The phrase "shuts the door" in Emily Dickinson's poetry likely symbolizes ending or exclusion, influencing the poem's tone to be more reflective or intimate. This phrase, among other devices, demonstrates the poet's ability to use language to evoke strong imagery and emotional response in her work.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the poet Emily Dickinson uses the phrase "shuts the door" in her poetry, it could symbolize a finality or an exclusion of something or someone. It can imply a sense of intimacy or privacy, indicating that certain thoughts or feelings are being kept within or that others are being kept out. In the context of a Dickinson poem, this action could add to the tone of the poem by creating a boundary or a moment of separation that deepens the emotional resonance of the work.
The tone of a poem is affected by words and phrases like "shuts the door" because they bring about a change in the atmosphere. This phrase could make the tone more somber, reflective, or even intimate, depending on the rest of the poem's content and the way Dickinson wields her poetic devices. This type of phrase helps to establish an enclosure of thought or conveys a turning point, providing a boundary that signifies an emotional or conceptual change within the poem.
In the broader discussion of what makes something a poem as opposed to prose, elements such as symbolism, emotive language, and structure are key. The way Dickinson uses phrases such as "shuts the door" exemplifies her skillful use of language to evoke imagery and emotion, contributing to the unique quality of poetry. Dickinson's own description of poetry as something that can make one feel cold or as if the top of their head were taken off underlines the visceral impact poetry can have—far beyond the literal meaning of words.