In which line from Emily Dickinson’s poem “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died” does the poet use synecdoche?
I heard a Fly buzz – when I died
by Emily Dickinson

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 the last Onset – when the King
Be witnessed – in the Room –

I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable – and then it was
There interposed a Fly –

With Blue – uncertain – stumbling Buzz –
Between the light – and me –
And then the Windows failed – and then
I could not see to see –

Reset Next
Mortality and Spirituality in Gothic Poetry: Mastery Test

Synecdoche is a figure of speech used to represent a part as a whole or vice versa. Writers and poets use this figure of speech to elevate the quality of the language and to make the sentences more interesting. It helps them to deliver their thoughts strongly. Here, in the stanza of four lines, Dickinson's use of synecdoche points out to the people in the room who are watching the speaker and weeping. So the use of this figure of speech helps the poet to maintain the rhythm of the poem and communicate in just a few words.