Question

overall, how do the images in the poem \some keep the sabbath going to church\ reinforce the meaning of the poem? check the two boxes that best apply.

they suggest that clergy are wise and wonderful people.
they suggest that the glories of nature are just as spiritual as a church, if not more so.
they suggest that going to church may not be the best or only route to heaven.
they suggest that churches should replace choirs with birds and other animals.

Explanation:

⚡ Using what you learned: close reading methods for poetic texts

Step 1: Analyze the poem's imagery

In Emily Dickinson's poem "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church", the speaker contrasts traditional church attendance with finding spirituality in nature.

The speaker uses natural imagery to replace traditional church elements:

• A Bobolink (bird) serves as the choir member ("with a Bobolink for a Chorister").
• An orchard serves as the dome of the church ("and an Orchard, for a Dome").
• God Himself is the preacher ("And God preaches, a noted Clergyman").

Step 2: Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "They suggest that clergy are wise and wonderful people."

Incorrect. The poem gently bypasses human clergy by stating that God Himself is the preacher, rather than praising human clergy.

• Option 2: "They suggest that the glories of nature are just as spiritual as a church, if not more so."

Correct. By substituting church elements with natural ones (orchard, birds), the poem elevates nature to a sacred, spiritual space.

• Option 3: "They suggest that going to church may not be the best or only route to heaven."

Correct. The speaker concludes by saying she is "going all along" to heaven by staying at home in nature, suggesting that traditional churchgoing is not the only path to salvation.

• Option 4: "They suggest that churches should replace choirs with birds and other animals."

Incorrect. This is a literal misinterpretation of the poem's metaphors.

Answer:

• They suggest that the glories of nature are just as spiritual as a church, if not more so.
• They suggest that going to church may not be the best or only route to heaven.