This poem was written by American poet Emily Dickinson, born in 1800. This was the time when art was based on emotion; the “romantic period”. She was also born in the Victorian era, where women were expected to be chained to their pedestals and most were expected to marry by the age of eighteen. They couldn't vote or earn money. This information should help the reader better understand the poem. When she wrote the poem "My Life Was Left Standing: A Loaded Gun," Dickinson thought about what format to use to express her emotions; Quatrain (four lines). This format is used to express deep emotions at any time. In his poetry he uses lines that seem the same but not quite; they are “oblique rhymes”. Dickinson grew up in an era of abolition (which is why her poetry is so profound); and in the most religious, morally upright, and independent areas of the United States. Dickinson represents herself and her life, metaphorically, as a loaded gun, a phallic symbol associated with masculinity; everything that "women" is not. Studies of Dickinson include her affairs and alleged affairs regarding her sexuality, her absurdity in a mocking sense when looking at the women of her time, as well as also challenging the idea of ​​Dickinson as a loner; thus, explaining her position/emotions in a feminist world. In Dickinson's "MyLife Had Stood—A Loaded Gun," she was viewed literally, thinking the poem was about a gun and its owner. After reading the poem over and over, the reader grasps the emotions portrayed by the writer. Dickinson's poetry conveys deep emotions with her personal life and opinions. Uses the gun to express all that is masculine: "Loaded Gun" (1) cruel, not pleasant, "hunt the Doe" (6) does not kill... middle of paper... society sedated with religiosity nuances throughout poetry, as if religion and God were putting pressure on it. It is a very profound poem that can be interpreted in various ways depending on the stature of the reader, but one thing is certain; this poem talks about the identity of the woman. Works Cited Dickinson, Emily. “My Life Was Left – A Loaded Gun” Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (10th Edition) (Kennedy/Gioia Literature Series). New York: Longman, 2006. 770.Nester, Nancy L. “A GOOD O'Connor MAN IS HARD TO FIND. “The Explicator 64.2 (2006): 115-118. Research Library, ProQuest. Network. July 24, 2009. "The Life of Emily Dickinson." Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois. Network. 04 August. 2009. .