Emily Dickinson 1830 - 1866

Biography Emily Dickinson is a lyric poet known for her eloquent, concise, and deceptively simple verses. Dickinson was well-educated She wrote 1,775 poems Most after 1858 when she began collecting them in small, hand-sewn booklets

Poetry 1850s 1860s forward Fairly conventional in sentiment and form Experimented with language Altered hymnlike beats to fit her thoughts Used off-rhymes widely Played with syntax Often put ordinary words in extraordinary context

Reclusiveness One of the most interesting things about Emily Dickinson is how much time she spent alone. After the late 1860s she never left the narrow boundaries of her family’s property After the Civil War, she sought to live her life by rules of art Wore only white Saw few of the people who came to be with her

Major Characteristics of Dickinson’s Poetry Theme and Tone Universal themes: wonders of nature, identity of the self, death and immortality, love Very Witty (look for humor) Form and Style Lyrics: short poems with a single speaker who expresses thought and feeling Very few titles Describes abstract concepts with concrete images

Major Characteristics of Dickinson’s Poetry Meter and Rhyme Common meter: alternating lines of eight syllables and six syllables Often used in song lyrics (think “Amazing Grace”)

Major Characteristics of Dickinson’s Poetry Punctuation and Syntax Dashes Capitalization of interior words Diction Precise and interesting word choice

“I’ll Tell You How The Sun Rose”

“I’m Nobody! Who are you?”

“I dwell in possibility”

“I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died”

“Hope is the thing with feathers”