There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons −
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes −
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us −
Dickinson begins the poem with a sense of vagueness. Generally, “light” represents goodness and positivity within literature; however, Dickinson’s continuation of the “Winter Afternoons” brings doubt towards the tone of the poem. 
 The image of a “Slant of light” is often used to describe religious and holy scenes, as the ray symbolizes a natural spotlight that shines through the windows of churches and chapels. By mentioning “Winter Afternoons,” Dickinson uses seasonal imagery and manipulates the associations of winter. In terms of the winter, it relates to heavy snow and chilling temperatures; in terms of emotions, it is often related to depression. 

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