Question

im nobody! who are you?
emily dickinson

im nobody! who are you?
are you - nobody - too?
then theres a pair of us!
dont tell! theyd advertise - you know!

how dreary - to be - somebody!
how public - like a frog -
to tell ones name - the livelong june -
to an admiring bog!

which of the following is a theme that is present throughout the poem?

it is better to be anonymous than to be well-known.
everyone in the world should strive to be famous.
isolation is not good for anyones mental health.

Explanation:

Analyze the poem's message

Using the Emily Dickinson Poetry and Thematic Analysis knowledge points
The speaker declares "I'm Nobody!" and finds a kindred spirit in another "Nobody," warning "Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!" In the second stanza, the speaker describes being "Somebody" as "dreary" and compares public figures to a "Frog" croaking its name to an "admiring Bog." This contrast shows a clear preference for anonymity and private connection over public fame.

Evaluate the answer choices

Using the Thematic Analysis knowledge point

• Choice 1: "It is better to be anonymous than to be well-known." This directly aligns with the poem's depiction of being "Nobody" as a positive, shared state, and being "Somebody" as dreary and vulgar.
• Choice 2: "Everyone in the world should strive to be famous." This contradicts the poem's message.
• Choice 3: "Isolation is not good for anyone's mental health." The poem celebrates their quiet, isolated connection rather than viewing it as harmful.

Answer:

• It is better to be anonymous than to be well-known. (Correct answer)
• Everyone in the world should strive to be famous.
• Isolation is not good for anyone's mental health.