Created by: Brandi Allen

Birth: 12/10/1830 Passing: 5/15/1886 Place of Birth: Amherst, Massachusetts Father: Edward Dickinson Mother: Emily Norcross Siblings: William Austin, Lavinia Norcross Status: single Residence: Amherst, Massachusetts *Only authenticated portrait of Dickinson prior to childhood

Unconventional Ungrammatical (irregular: dashes/capitalizations) Themes: nature, life, death, the Gospel, the “Master” Transcendentalist Satire/ Irony Rhyme scheme/meter: “Hymn meter” frequently and “Ballad meter” (depending upon number of syllables in each line) Figurative language: imagery, personification, repetition, enjambment, simple diction

TWO butterflies went out at noon And waltzed above a stream, Then stepped straight through the firmament And rested on a beam; And then together bore away Upon a shining sea,— Though never yet, in any port, Their coming mentioned be. If spoken by the distant bird, If met in ether sea 10 By frigate or by merchantman, Report was not to me. Listen 

MY river runs to thee: Blue sea, wilt welcome me? My river waits reply. Oh sea, look graciously! I ’ll fetch thee brooks From spotted nooks,— Say, sea, Take me!

LOOK back on time with kindly eyes, He doubtless did his best; How softly sinks his trembling sun In human nature’s west!

Pre- 1861: few poems written, nature, conventional : prime time produced roughly 800 poems developed internal ideology of life and death Post- 1866: 1/3 of poetry produced

Appeared intriguing to society Poems published after her death Posthumously recognized/large-scale fame Poems often altered grammatically/words replaced

Resided at home: considered a “homebody” Departed from residence only when necessary Rarely spoke to others Mother’s caretaker until passing Not physically social; wrote hundreds of letters to family, friends, etc. Described by others as: "a little plain woman with two smooth bands of reddish hair... in a very plain & exquisitely clean white pique…” Death of her few acquaintance depressed her deeply: “Home is so far from home” Suffered losses of her mother, pet, friends, loves, etc.

Susan Gilbert: 1850’s "most beloved friend, influence, muse, and adviser” Leonard Humphrey: Young school principal Close relations with Emily His death caused great depression Thomas Wentworth Higginson: Literary critic, abolitionist Helped Emily develop: “Charge your style with life” Was a “dear friend” Came to Emily’s home in Amherst Exchanged letters frequently with Emily Statement: He felt that he never was "with any one who drained my nerve power so much. Without touching her, she drew from me. I am glad not to live near her." Otis Phillips Lord: Elderly judge for Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Close relations with Emily after the passing of his wife Exchanged letters frequently with Emily

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