Birds (Symbol)
Dickinson's use of bird symbolism in this poem has some cultural significance. It is likely an allusion to Christian symbolism and the image of the dove, which is used in the Bible as an icon of peace. Birds are also often used as a symbol of freedom and hope in literature. The bird's song represents its endurance and strength. Despite its encounter with the extreme weather of gales and storms, it carries on singing. Dickinson uses this image of the singing bird to show the persistence of hope and how it can endure hard times.
The storm (Symbol)
Dickinson refers to a "storm" in the poem, writing that the bird is not discouraged by the adverse weather conditions. In the overall metaphor of the poem, the storm symbolizes hardships humans encounter in their everyday lives. These instances are framed in the poem as tests of the strength of individual hope.
Hope (Motif)
In this poem, Dickinson describes the concept of "hope" as being a bird. As such, the "thing with feathers" in this poem represents hope, human endurance, and persistence during times of adversity. In the text, hope is shown to be a selfless thing that only grows strong amidst difficulty, providing solace to those who need it most.
