Question

in this excerpt from emily dickinsons poem \dying,\ what is the meaning of the word onset? i heard a fly buzz—when i died— the stillness in the room was like the stillness in the air— between the heaves of storm— the eyes around—had wrung them dry— and breaths were gathering firm for that last onset—when the king be witnessed—in the room— a. arrival b. beginning c. creation d. emergence

Explanation:

In the context of the poem, "onset" refers to the arrival of the final moment (death). The other options ("beginning", "creation", "emergence") do not fit as well with the somber and final - stage connotation of the poem's description of the dying process.

Answer:

A. arrival