Biography of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was born on 10 December 1830 in Amherst, in western Massachusetts, and died there on 15 May 1886. Her parents were Edward Dickinson (1803-1874) and Emily Norcross Dickinson (1804-1882). The family included three children: Austin (1828-1895), Emily, and Lavinia (1833-1899). Most of the family belonged to the Congregational Church, though the poet herself never became a member. The Dickinsons were well-off and well-educated. Both Edward and Austin were college graduates, leaders in the community and of Amherst College. Edward Dickinson was a Whig (later a Republican) representative to state and national legislatures. Emily had a strong secondary education and a year of college at South Hadley Female Seminary (later Mount Holyoke College).

The poet was born in, and died in, a house called the Homestead, built by her grandfather Samuel Fowler Dickinson in 1813. This house was sold out of the family, however, in 1833, and not re-purchased by Edward Dickinson till 1855; so most of the poet's younger years were lived in other houses.

After her years at school, Emily Dickinson lived in the family home for the rest of her life. She cared for her parents in their later years and was a companion to her sister Lavinia, who also stayed "at home" for her entire life. Neither sister married. The extended Dickinson family included Austin's wife Susan Huntington Gilbert, who lived for many years next door in the house called The Evergreens, and Susan and Austin's three children.

The myth, of course, is of Dickinson as a reclusive spinster-poet, brooding over a deep romantic mystery in her past. The realities are more mundane. Especially among relatively wealthy families in 19th-century Massachusetts, it was far from unusual for grown women simply to keep house as a primary occupation, neither marrying nor working outside the home. The thing that sets Dickinson apart from other women of her class and generation is simply her poetic gift, something attributable more to nature and culture than to some emotional trauma.

We know much of Dickinson's life through her correspondences. She maintained a lifelong correspondence with Susan Dickinson, even though they were next-door neighbors; this correspondence, preserved by Susan, is the source for many of the poet's manuscripts. But Emily Dickinson also corresponded with school friends, with her cousins Fanny and Loo Norcross, and with several people of letters, including Samuel Bowles, Dr. and Mrs. J.G. Holland, T.W. Higginson, and Helen Hunt Jackson.

The central events, then, of Dickinson's life are those that are central to the lives of most writers: she wrote. She compiled a manuscript record of nearly 1,800 poems, along with many letters. In or around 1858 she began to keep manuscript books of her poetry, the "fascicles," hand-produced and hand-bound. In the early 1860s she produced hundreds of poems each year. In 1864 and 1865, failing eyesight, which impelled her to make two extended visits to Cambridge, Massachusetts for medical treatment, slowed her production of manuscript books. But her production of manuscripts continued at a slower pace until her last illnesses in 1885-86.

Though she wrote hundreds of poems, Dickinson never published a book of poetry. The few poems published during her lifetime were anonymous (see Publishing History). The reasons why she never published are still unclear. A myth promoted by William Luce's play The Belle of Amherst (1976) is that Higginson discouraged her writing; however, it is probably not the case that Dickinson met with rejection from the literary world. For one thing, Higginson was instrumental in getting her poetry published soon after her death, suggesting that her reluctance and not his disapproval was the barrier to him doing this earlier. Also, both Bowles and Hunt Jackson arranged for anonymous publication of individual poems by Dickinson during the poet's lifetime. At Hunt Jackson's suggestion, Thomas Niles of Roberts Brothers publishing house tried to get the poet to submit a volume of poems for publication in 1883; she declined.

Historical Time Period of Emily Dickinson

During the life time of Emily Dickinson (from 1830-1886) these following key events occurred in the United States:

* The American Civil War
* The assationation of President Lincoln
* The Mexican-American War
* The California gold rush

Style Period of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, a creative poet during the mid-nineteenth century, wrote what many consider to be truly American poetry. To understand why Dickinson is considered a brilliant writer of American poetry, one must know about the time period in which she wrote her poetry. Dickinson wrote during the era of American literature known as the Age of Expansion (Perkins 869). This was during the first half-century after the Civil War to the First World War which was approximately 1865-1915 (Perkins 869). During this time period, American literature went through many drastic changes. American writers progressively moved from romanticism to realism (Perkins 870). Realism was a much more realistic interpretation of humanity and its destiny (Perkins 870). This new approach addressed a larger and more general audience than the writings of the Romantic era (Perkins 870). Although Dickinson is considered a writer from the Age of Expansion, her style of writing combined elements from the Romantic and Realism eras (Perkins 872). Emily Dickinson was from the Amherst village which possessed a deeply rooted identity from Puritanical America (Perkins 872). Dickinson wrote with such a style and compassion that her poems are still among the most popular of all American poetry today. All but a few of her poems were published after her death. This is a great symbol of American Patriotism for the fact that she wrote from the heart and not for a paycheck. All of the elements combined were poured into everyone of her works and because of this, Dickinson is a symbol of American poetry.

"I'm Nobody! Who are You?"I'm Nobody! Who are you?

Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there's a pair of us?
Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one's name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!

Analysis/Comment

In this "conversational" with a silent response, the poet is glad not to be identified by the vague world. In fact, the speaker while talking to someone else, refers to how being a "nobody" is better than being somebody in the world. This is because, being somebody in the society, life could be too public.

There are some metaphors and a similarity present in the entire poem. For example, "Somebody" is compared to "frog" (Line 2; S. 2) when he/she is exposed to the public.

This poem is a loos iambic trimester with a fourth stress (i.e. "To tell your name--the livelong June--" Line 3; S. 2) with a rhyme scheme ABCB (though in the 1^st stanza, it is actually considered as a half-rhyme, hence, AABC). The usage of dashes is a typical sign Emily Dickinson; she utilizes in her poems for rhythm and emotions.

In real life, people usually admire celebrity's lives. There's always envy on happy life due to money and luxurious and expensive things. Although on television, famous people appear to have a smiles on their faces, it does not mean that they are fully enjoying their lives. Indeed, a lot of the celebrities actually prefer loosing their fame to become normal. This happens because a "Somebody" 's life can be much more complicated and intruded by strangers and enemies, what is worse is that they no longer have privacy.

Links

http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/dickinson/section3.rhtml

"Fame is a Fickle Food"Fame is a fickle food

Upon a shifting plate
Whose table once a
Guest but not
The second time is set.

Whose crumbs the crows inspect
And with ironic caw
Flap past it to the Farmer's Corn –
Men eat of it and die.

Analysis/Comment

“Fame is a Fickle Food” expresses using a metaphor that compares fame with several objects and situations. Indeed, the first stanza shows how fame is unpredictable; this fact can be proven by the following words and phrases: “fickle”, “shifting”, “…once a guest but not the second time is set”(Lines 3-5). The second stanza displays, another aspect of fame: the change it makes on all of us. Fame can change a person and his/her personality in many ways; It can change somone in a good way or completely ruin one’s identity, life, and character. For instance, the last verse of the poem actually explains this whole idea (i.e. “Men eat of it and die.”), so in this case, fame is considered as a bad influence on a human being. Plus, the “ironic caw” mentioned in the 2^nd line of the 2^nd stanza woks as an emphasis for the last line as well as for the whole stanza.

Many times, fame is considered as an “idol” to most of us. This is because everyone knows that being famous helps people economically and socially. Although, all of this could be true, most of us forget the negative side of the medal. We never think that fame is always going to be something temporary (“Nothing lasts for a 100 years.”) and as it can make one’s life better, it can also destroy lives.

Links
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/emilydickinson/11611

"Pain -- Has an Element of Blank --"Pain -- has an Element of Blank --

It cannot recollect
When it begun -- or if there were
A time when it was not --

It has no Future -- but itself --
Its Infinite contain
Its Past -- enlightened to perceive
New Periods -- of Pain.

Analysis/Comment

According to Emily Dickinson, pain is an element that, is difficult to interpret, and can not be substituted by any other word. Pain is a complex element that has “no Future”; in other words, pain is never going to change, it will always remain the same. Its “Past” (since it continues infinitely like it always did) is going to keep being the same “Pain” (Line 2 Stanza 2).

This poem clearly demonstrates a big part of the poet’s life and experience that majorly involves pain. Emily Dickinson explains that pain has an element of blank because it is caused by several other dynamic forces such as time, history and (to a certain extent) perception. However the poet does not permit the word pain to be substituted by any other words.

*Reminder: Emily Dickinson uses dashes to create personification.

From Emily Dickinson’s biography, one can realize that pain has been part of the poet’s life for a long period and that probably also caused her depression. It is an advantage for her to write a poem on pain, since Dickinson herself experienced and became familiar with it. I agree perfectly with the author that pain has no beginning or end, and that it is a pure element that can be a result of many reasons but it’s identity will always remain the same. This poem sounds like a diary of the poet since it contains lots of suffering and pain.

Link
http://www.123helpme.com/preview.asp?id=4141

"The Red -- Blaze -- Is the Morning"The Red -- Blaze -- is the Morning --

The Violet -- is Noon --
The Yellow -- Day -- is falling --
And after that -- is none --

But Miles of Sparks -- at Evening --
Reveal the Width that burned --
The Territory Argent -- that
Never yet -- consumed --

Analysis/Comment

This poem briefly describes the course of a day. Simply illustrating using metaphors and a lot of adjectives, could make it seem just descriptive. But the colors mentioned are fundamental elements that help compare and give significance to each time of the day. For instance, “Morning” is symbolized by the strong color red. This is because, during dawn, the color of the sky is usually red or dark pink. Noon is represented by the color violet because this is when the sun’s rays are the strongest. “Day” is symbolized by the color yellow because of the sun. “None” is referring to the darkness or the night. In the second stanza, “Miles of sparks at Evening” (Line 5) refers to the stars; miles of stars during the evening show the vastness that illuminates the Earth with its brightness that never (yet) turns off.

*Emily Dickinson uses dashes to express infinity.

Besides only describing thoroughly and colorfully about the times of the day, the poet actually focuses more on the evening than on any other time of the day. In fact, Emily Dickinson dedicated a whole stanza to write about the night; in general, the poet uses morning and noon to describe the happy and exciting events of her life, although there are much more sad events present in her life that make Emily Dickinson feel lonely (darkness). These events are thankfully illuminated by other little events that then help lighten up the poet’s spirit like the stars that shine at night.

"There Is Another Sky "There is another sky,

Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;
Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields -
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;
Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;
In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!

Analysis/Comment

A poem like this is a typical ABCB (with a few exceptions) rhyme scheme poem by Emily Dickinson. The poet’s usual status is depression, and writing poems often cheered her up. In the first half of the poem, the speaker is referring to a boy named Austin, telling him to forget about the negative events of life because there are so many happy ones already waiting for him. Life can be a paradise if one accepts to try new adventures or start a new one. In the second stanza, the speaker is talking to Prithee, apparently his/her brother. The speaker talks about this garden, which represents paradise or the perfect life where pain, suffering, or any other negative aspects of life, so, he is invited to restart a new life. This part of the poem could be an allusion to the Garden of Eden (or Paradise), the garden God created; perfect in all aspects.

This poem is written for readers who have the same problem as the poet does: depression. Emily Dickinson comforts herself and those who are not enjoying their life by introducing new ideas and ways of adding spice to our existence (by writing). Entering a new world can help us realize that life is not bad after all, and we should always get the best out of everything.

"My Life Had Stood - A Loaded Gun -"

My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun -
In Corners - till a Day
The Owner passed - identified -
And carried Me away -
And now We roam in Sovereign Woods -
And now We hunt the Doe -
And every time I speak for Him -
The Mountains straight reply -

And do I smile, such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow -
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let its pleasure through -

And when at Night - Our good Day done -
I guard My Master's Head -
'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's
Deep Pillow - to have shared -

To foe of His - I'm deadly foe -
None stir the second time -
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye -
Or an emphatic Thumb -

Though I than He - may longer live
He longer must - than I -
For I have but the power to kill,
Without--the power to die--

Analysis/Comment:

"My Life had stood-a Loaded Gun-" is written in alternating iambic tetrameter and tri-meter. The poem is in lyrical form and the tone of the poem is clearly and strongly of passion.

There are several metaphors, personifications and certainly a lot of allegories that help readers comprehend on the "meaning" of the entire poem. For instance, the "gun" could represent the language the poet used as a tool to create this literary work. So the "act" of creating it, is the gun's expression. The “doe” which is killed, symbolizes women writers that sacrifice part of themselves to write. The “gun” for example, personifies human traits, whereas the title is a metaphor that explains how her life is compared directly to a gun, representing power and strength. Last, but not least, the poem could be entirely considered an allegory.

First of all, the speaker shows how the poet rejects the easier life and how the power and control coming from the speaker, give her the joy and satisfaction. In the last stanza, the poet simply expresses confusion and chaos from her thoughts.

In this poem, Emily Dickinson gives vent to her own feelings, mocks and describes a traditional and typical marriage and women’s roles during the 19^th century.

Links

http://www.123helpme.com/preview.asp?id=14882

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/gun.html

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Analysis-Dickinsons-Loaded-Gun-Poem/172452

https://www.fratfiles.com/essays/123987.html

"The Power To Be True to You"The power to be true to You,

Until upon my face
The Judgment push his Picture –
Presumptuous of Your Place –

Of This — Could Man deprive Me –
Himself — the Heaven excel –
Whose invitation — Yours reduced
Until it showed too small –

Analysis/Comment

With a rhyme scheme of ABCB only in the first stanza, this poem is trying to transmit to the readers the power of honesty towards others. In fact, the speaker claims that this power from the person in front of you. This is when the other’s judgment of what you say is true takes place fully. And when this moment comes, that person (man) could doubt about the truth, although. In the end, it is God (Heaven) who decides whether something is true or not. This is why what others think about your truth counts little.

Emily Dickinson in this poem shows the difficulty of telling the truth and letting others believe. What she is trying to tell readers is that this power of truth would come slowly, and there is no need to force one self, because telling the truth is a will. And whether the other person believes you or not, would not be your responsibility. As long as one has a clean conscience, he/she can leave the rest for God to decide. Do your best (in telling the truth) and let the rest fall to its place.

"My Reward For Being"My Reward for Being, was This.

My premium — My Bliss –
An Admiralty, less –
A Sceptre — penniless –
And Realms — just Dross –

When Thrones accost my Hands –
With “Me, Miss, Me” –
I’ll unroll Thee –
Dominions dowerless — beside this Grace –
Election — Vote –
The Ballots of Eternity, will show just that.

Analysis/ Comment

In this poem, Emily Dickinson describes what she feels about her existence in this world using several comparisons. The poet mentions in particular, the noble life and objects in order to let readers understand better how miserable she feels being someone in this world. Indeed, in the first stanza, she states the fact that although existing in this world should be a happy feeling; it doesn’t seem to her because there are a lot of terrible things surrounding her life. An example would be the penniless ‘sceptre’ (allusion to monarchy) ; as well as the contrast between dross and realm emphasizes more her loss of confidence and power over herself and other people).
In the 2^nd stanza, Dickinson claims how she refuses the “good life”not even if she had the opportunity in her hands. Even if she had the“good” life, it would be superficial and not as good, because she prefers to have a normal life.

The metaphor utilized in this poem juxtaposes the poet’s life with the ones of the noble family. In this juxtaposition she clearly displays the dissatisfactions of her life and she is going to change her life not because of this. This simply explains a lot of how each of us deals with our daily lives. In fact, a lot of times, we envy people that have an easy, rich existence in this world, but obtaining everything doesn’t make a happy life.

"A Bird Came Down To Walk"A bird came down the walk:

He did not know I saw;
He bit an angle-worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.

And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,
And then hopped sidewise to the wall
To let a beetle pass.

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all abroad,--
They looked like frightened beads, I thought;
He stirred his velvet head

Like one in danger; cautious,
I offered him a crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home

Than oars divide the ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,
Leap, splashless, as they swim.

Analysis/ Comment

The speaker simply describes what he or she saw: a bird. This poem practically describes the bird's every aciton; from its walking, eating, hopping and its glances to its head movements using several similes (in Line 3 S. 3). Then, on the 3rd stanza, when the speaker interferes the creature in the frame, with caution to feed the bird, the bird retreated its feathers and stepped back slowly just like the "oars divide the ocean" (L1, S5) or as the butterflies jump, splashless as they swim. In other words, the bird refused the food (that was offered) gracefully and in a sense of "good manner". "A Bird Came Down To Walk: is not just a descriptive poem because, as we all know, Emily Dickinson, a lot of times refer her personale or emotion status to us readers using metaphors. The bird might represent the poet herself; independent woman that tries her best to survive on her own, trying be tough against life (like the bird with the worm). But when help or compassion comes to her, she would refuse with a good attitude that also says "thank you".

The author, apart from narrating her life in such a creative way, she is actually trying to teach us to be independent individuals in this society, like the bird in nature. And some times, we shouldn't be afraid to refuse help that is not necessary.

Link

http://mb.sparknotes.com/mb/epl?b=786&m=398510&p=15&t=44389

"There's a Certain Slant of Light"There's a certain slant of light,

On winter afternoons
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings, are.

None may teach it anything,
'T is the seal, despair,
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.

Analysis/ Comment

Depression and death are two main themes of this poem. These elements have always been present in the poet’s life, and this is how she tries to make her depression stand out: using her style to express her feeling in a mysterious way, yet understandable, and like always, full of comparisons and metaphors of from nature to reach the readers’ heart and hit them with emotions being read only once. Depression in this poem is represented by the “certain slant of light” that oppresses people like the church songs. Although depression hurts people, it leaves no scar behind, because this feeling actually damages internal feelings, which is worse. Depression does not need a guide on how to get to people’s hearts, it is created by the different negative emotions like suffering etc. When it comes, one would expect the worse waiting for damages in us. But once it leaves the heart, the only path for feelings to be released is through death: suicide.

The journey of depression through our souls is a very dangerous and sad situation. It comes slowly to kill one’s soul to finish it, by the help of death. Depression is strong, but not impossible to fight against. Although it is impossible to prevent death, it is better to die peacefully and naturally instead of depression.

Link
http://mb.sparknotes.com/mb.epl?b=786&m=398510&p=15&t=44389

"Time Feels So Vast That Were It Not"

Time feels so vast that were it not

For an Eternity-
I fear me this Circumference
Engross my Finity-

To His exclusion, who prepare
By Processes of Size
For the Stupendous Vision
Of His diameters-

Analysis/ Comment

The preciousness of time is being exposed in the poem “Time Feels So Vast That Were It Not”. The poet describes how time seems to be infinite at first, but then we realize that it does not last forever. This is to be infinite, but it actually does not last forever. And this is what the speaker is afraid of: that time is going to widen his/her expectations/ goals for the future. Finally, Dickinson writes about time being usually excluded by us because of its unknown size and because time does not have much details to offer people about the future.

Everyone knows that time is precious, but in our daily lives, no one really appreciates it. Time looks like infinite, it can change our plans, goals or even our existence but it is not. Although time can not tell human beings about the future, we should not just exclude it. Time does not go back, so, live the moment and take good care of it.

"It Was Not Death, for I Stood Up"It was not Death, for I stood up,

And all the Dead, lie down--

It was not Night, for all the Bells

Put out their Tongues, for Noon.


It was not Frost, for on my Flesh

I felt Siroccos--crawl--

Nor Fire--for just my marble feet

Could keep a Chancel, cool--


And yet, it tasted, like them all,

The Figures I have seen

Set orderly, for Burial,

Reminded me, of mine--


As if my life were shaven,

And fitted to a frame,

And could not breathe without a key,

And 'twas like Midnight, some--


When everything that ticked--has stopped--

And space stares all around--

Or Grisly frosts--first Autumn morns,

Repeal the Beating Ground--


But, most, like Chaos--Stopless--cool--

Without a Chance, or Spar--

Or even a Report of Land--

To justify--Despair.

Analysis/ Comment

This poem displays a mixture of emotions that include: depression, psychological distress, despair, horror, etc. that not even the poet herself really understands what she is feeling. In fact, the first two stanzas describe her confusion towards her mixture of feelings. Then in the third stanza, she begins to comprehend slowly in a funeral that probably reflected her “death” too. Next, she begins feeling isolated, lonely and abandoned. And at last, she decides that she is hopeless and that she would never get over her desperation, because, if at first she had the chance and rejected, at this point, not even death would cancel it (paradox).

* The 1^st line of the third stanza is a synaesthetic image that simply describes the different aspects of her life.

* The paradox of the last verse of the poem is also an irony. The ups and downs and the doubts of one’s identity occur to teens more than others. Although despair “seems” impossible to be recovered from, it’s always worth trying to get over it.

The ups and downs and the doubts of one’s identity occur more often to teens than to others.
Although despair “seems” impossible to be recovered from, it is always worth trying to get over it.

Links

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/notdeath.html