Emily Dickinson

Odds and Ends Amherst, MA – church-centered, modeled older Puritan New England Amherst, MA – church-centered, modeled older Puritan New England Father was lawyer, dominating man Father was lawyer, dominating man Saw few people, “unique” “remote” Saw few people, “unique” “remote” Typical child as she grew Typical child as she grew

Publishing Her Poems While alive only 7 of approx 1800 poems were published While alive only 7 of approx 1800 poems were published 4 years after her death, friends published 1 st selection of her poetry “my letter to the world” 4 years after her death, friends published 1 st selection of her poetry “my letter to the world” 1955 complete edition was published, poems found neatly together in little blue packets after her death 1955 complete edition was published, poems found neatly together in little blue packets after her death

1862 – turning point, wrote more poems that year than any other 1862 – turning point, wrote more poems that year than any other The man she loved (minister) left for San Francisco The man she loved (minister) left for San Francisco Only saw him 3 or 4 times – he did not return her love Only saw him 3 or 4 times – he did not return her love Began dressing in white only Began dressing in white only

Last 10 years of her life Refused to leave house Refused to leave house Refused to meet strangers Refused to meet strangers Health was failing Health was failing

Her Poems Traditional and unusual Traditional and unusual Connection btwn everyday life happenings and the spiritual Connection btwn everyday life happenings and the spiritual Rhythms of church hymns – 4 line stanzas (quatrains) Rhythms of church hymns – 4 line stanzas (quatrains) Concise, informal, abrupt = belongs specifically to her Concise, informal, abrupt = belongs specifically to her Published after transc, but living & writing during this time – reflects sim. views Published after transc, but living & writing during this time – reflects sim. views