“The Poetry of the Portfolio”
Introduction and Thesis
Emily Dickinson’s “Poems” have been described as being that of a worldly mind that rarely left her doorstep. A recluse by nature, her insight was far beyond the average imagination. “Flashes of wholly original and profound insight into nature and life” (The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. Thomas Wentworth Higginson p. 7)
About the Author
Born December 10th, 1830, Emily Dickinson was one of the greatest female poets of her time. Known for her unique style and direct honesty, she was as talented as she was odd. She was known to write letters to those dear to her and also only greet guests from a distance at the top of her stair case.( Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2020. 6p., FSW Database)
Living a rather reclusive life she wrote around 1800 poems in her lifetime (not all have been published). She also had several “masters” or older men she pursued as a mentor or teacher. She denies romantic interest in these men however some of her letters and poems suggest otherwise. She never married or had any children. Although it is assumed she may have wanted a connection with some of these men she is adamant she doesn’t want to marry and become part of the societal norm.
Her father was a lawyer in her hometown of Amherst and also treasurer of the local college. Even though education was paramount in her family, Emily felt conformity of any kind was strangulating. So after graduating from Amherst Academy in 1847, she attended university for a year and then returned home to write, tend her garden and bake bread.
Only leaving her home out of necessity, she preferred the confines of her home to the point that people speculated that she may be suffering from mental illness. Today, she would most likely be diagnosed with clinical depression since she also struggled with social interaction.
Inevitably, she died in 1886 of renal failure at the age of 56. Her poems were discovered after her death by her sister who had them published.
About the Book
Published in 1924, “The complete Poems of Emily Dickinson” includes many unedited poems. Split into 3 series and 4 segments each that contain poems about Love, life, nature, time and eternity. Each page is filled with her works that run simultaneously into each other.
Emily Dickinson’s style is described as ‘slant-rhyme’ with unconventional punctuation and she focuses on death as much as she does life. Readers have also pointed out that her words seem to be angry and/or passionate as if her emotions are bursting from the pages.
The Legacy
Emily Dickinson’s originality challenged a conforming society during the 18th century that is relatable now. Her bold and honest poems also speak to readers of every time period, culture, creed and age- Giving us all a taste of what is again, relatable and also freedom of expression.
Even more profound and memorable is the fact that her imagination is far beyond that of a recluse and although she rarely ever left her home her poems reflect an articulate individual who defies conformism and embraces herself just as she is. There is also much mystery surrounding her psychological state and who her intended audience was. It is also safe to assume that Dickinson wasn’t worried about being the stereotypical woman of the 18th or 19th century and rather just lived within her own existence, albeit painful in some aspects, she entertained her readers even at a distance.
Sending the message that you do not have to conform to simply be yourself.
Works Cited
“The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson”.1924. http://www.amazon.com. Accessed 20 July 2021.
FSW Database: “Biography of Emily Dickinson”. Brand, Gerhard. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2020, 6p. Web.
July 6, 2021
FSW Database: “The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson”. Hoefel, Roseanne L. Masterplots, Fourth Edition; November 2010, p1–6. Web. July 6, 2021
Google search: Women in the 1800’s. http://www.scholastic.ca/education/magazines/elt_pdfs/little-women-factfile-616443.pdf
July 6, 2021
Google search: https://genius.com/Emily-dickinson-im-cededive-stopped-being-theirs-508-annotated
July 6, 2021
Google search: “Faith is a fine invention” (202) and “Hope” is the thing with feathers — (314) (poetryfoundation.org)
“Emily Dickinson: Writing it slant” . https://writersinspire.org/content/emily-dickinson-writing-it-slant. Accessed July 21, 2021.