Emily Dickinson Slideshow

Emily Dickinson: An Overview

• Time Period: 1830-1886

• Significance: 19th-century American poet, a pivotal figure in American poetry.

• Key Characteristics: Known for her bold originality, compact epigrammatic style, and haunting personal voice. Explored themes of death, immortality, nature, and love.

• Style Traits: Defined by her quick wit, occasional mischief, and innovative approach, including unconventional punctuation.

Epigrammatic Compression

• Definition: The act of expressing complex ideas concisely and cleverly, akin to an epigram—a short, witty saying that conveys deep meaning in few words.

Personal Life

• Birthplace: Amherst, Massachusetts, December 10, 1830.

• Family Background: Daughter of a lawyer and state legislator; had a strained relationship with her mother, an educated woman.

• Education: Attended Amherst Academy and Mount Holyoke Female Seminary.

• Lifestyle: Lived mostly in seclusion after the early 1860s, rarely venturing outside her home.

Trivia: Connection to Taylor Swift

• Relation: Emily Dickinson and Taylor Swift are sixth cousins, three times removed, both descending from a 17th-century English immigrant.

Unique Aspects of Dickinson's Poetry

• Initiation: Began writing in the 1850s, initially following traditional poetic forms. During the 1860s, her work transitioned to experimental styles characterized by:

  • Unusual rhythms and rhymes.

  • Unique punctuation choices, especially dashes to create pauses and emphasis.

  • Use of capitalization for emphasis and slant rhymes (near rhymes).

  • Often crafted short lines with irregular meter, featuring numerous four-line stanzas.

• Syntax: Dense syntax where her simple style harbors deep meanings upon closer examination.

Poetic Techniques

• Imagery and Themes: Utilized rich metaphors and vivid imagery alongside unsettling personification and ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and instilling humor in her work

• Sample Poems:

  • "This is my letter to the World"

  • "The Bustle in a House"

Notable Works

• Famous Poems Include:

  • "Because I could not stop for Death"

  • "'Hope' is the thing with feathers"

  • "Success is counted sweetest"

  • "I’m Nobody! Who are You?"

  • "I heard a Fly buzz — when I died"

Legacy

• Impact: Her poems symbolize a stance against societal norms, especially regarding gender and religion.

• Cultural Resonance: Remains influential in contemporary poetry, with themes that resonate with modern readers. Her work is a subject of scholarly study and has found a place in popular culture.

Trivia Questions and Answers

• Nickname: "Nun of Amherst" due to her wearing predominantly white clothing.

• Poetic Output: Wrote nearly 1,800 poems, with only 7 published during her lifetime.

• Posthumous Publications: Her first volume of poetry was published 4 years after her death.

• Interests: Enjoyed gardening, which served as inspiration for her poetry.

• Religious Views: While she engaged with religious themes, she wasn't overtly religious.

• Social Life: Lived in relative isolation but engaged in extensive letter writing, which she considered akin to visiting.

• Organization of Work: Compiled her poems into collections known as "fascicles."

• Isolation Perception: Known as a recluse due to her withdrawn lifestyle.