What literary technique is commonly employed by Emily Dickinson in her poetry?

Emily Dickinson is well-known for her distinctive use of slant rhyme in her poetry. Slant rhyme, also referred to as near rhyme or half rhyme, occurs when words have similar but not identical sounds. This technique allows Dickinson to create a sense of intimacy and emotional resonance in her poems while also maintaining a level of surprise and innovation in her language.

For example, Dickinson often pairs words that sound close to each other but do not completely rhyme, which can evoke a feeling of tension or complexity in her themes. This choice adds depth to her exploration of abstract concepts such as death, nature, and the self, making her work both unique and impactful.

In contrast, free verse, blank verse, and traditional meter and rhyme are less characteristic of her style. While she sometimes used meter and rhyme, her signature approach often favored the unconventional and innovative use of slant rhyme, making it a defining feature of her poetic voice.