After the first two volumes of Emily Dickinson’s poems appeared posthumously
in 1890 and 1891, there were many negative reviews of her work, such as,
If Miss Dickinson’s disjecta membra are poems, then Shakespeare’s prolonged
imposition should be exposed without further loss of time … Miss Dickinson’s
versicles have a queerness and a quaintness that have stirred a momentary
curiosity in emotional bosoms. Oblivion lingers in the immediate
neighbourhood.1
Today, however, Dickinson’s poetry is widely regarded as a milestone in American
literature. Dickinson has become a classic, famous for her vivid, powerful imagery and
innovative style. In fact, some critics consider her ‘the finest American woman poet’2
and claim that ‘[h]er accomplishment is so radically original that the entire model of
what poetry can know (and write) changes when her work is taken into account.’3 There
is an extensive range of criticism on Emily Dickinson’s poetry, many of which focuses
on her treatment of five dominant themes, that is, life, death, immortality, love and
nature. Dickinson’s early editors as well as critics including Ruth Flanders McNaughton
group the poems in these categories. According to Henry W. Wells, about one quarter of
Dickinson’s poems deals chiefly with the theme of death. 4 This part of Emily
Dickinson’s poetry will be in the centre of this essay. The essay will, first of all, explain
why the theme is so important for the poet. Why does Dickinson appear to be
preoccupied with death? Is it natural for her to make death one of her central topics?
1 Anonymous, ‘The New Pastoral Poetry,’ The Atlantic Monthly, 69, January 1892,
p.144, quoted in Ruth Flanders McNaughton, The Imagery of Emily Dickinson,
Norwood Editions, 1970, p. vii
2 David Porter, Dickinson: The Modern Idiom, Harvard University Press, 1981, p.1,
quoted in Helen McNeil, Emily Dickinson, Virago Press, 1986, p.1
3 Helen McNeil, Emily Dickinson, Virago Press, 1986, p.1
4 Henry W. Wells, Introduction to Emily Dickinson, Hendricks House, 1958, p. 94
Table of Contents
1. Emily Dickinson’s Death Poetry
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the central theme of death within Emily Dickinson's poetry, examining how historical context, personal loss, and the poet's unique artistic vision shaped her complex and often ambivalent attitudes toward mortality.
- The historical omnipresence of death in the nineteenth century.
- Personal influences, including the American Civil War and the death of family members.
- The spectrum of attitudes toward death: denial, acceptance, and eventual embracement.
- Analysis of specific poems illustrating Dickinson's personification and perception of death.
- The distinction between the poet's persona and her personal autobiography.
Excerpt from the Book
Emily Dickinson’s Death Poetry
After the first two volumes of Emily Dickinson’s poems appeared posthumously in 1890 and 1891, there were many negative reviews of her work, such as, If Miss Dickinson’s disjecta membra are poems, then Shakespeare’s prolonged imposition should be exposed without further loss of time … Miss Dickinson’s versicles have a queerness and a quaintness that have stirred a momentary curiosity in emotional bosoms. Oblivion lingers in the immediate neighbourhood.
Today, however, Dickinson’s poetry is widely regarded as a milestone in American literature. Dickinson has become a classic, famous for her vivid, powerful imagery and innovative style. In fact, some critics consider her ‘the finest American woman poet’ and claim that ‘[h]er accomplishment is so radically original that the entire model of what poetry can know (and write) changes when her work is taken into account.’ There is an extensive range of criticism on Emily Dickinson’s poetry, many of which focuses on her treatment of five dominant themes, that is, life, death, immortality, love and nature. Dickinson’s early editors as well as critics including Ruth Flanders McNaughton group the poems in these categories. According to Henry W. Wells, about one quarter of Dickinson’s poems deals chiefly with the theme of death. This part of Emily Dickinson’s poetry will be in the centre of this essay.
Summary of Chapters
Emily Dickinson’s Death Poetry: This introductory section establishes the significance of death as a major theme in Dickinson’s body of work, framed by its historical context and the poet’s personal experiences with loss.
Keywords
Emily Dickinson, Death, Poetry, Mortality, American Literature, Civil War, Mourning, Immortality, Nature, Persona, Nineteenth Century, Grief, Acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on the theme of death within Emily Dickinson's poetry, analyzing how she approaches this topic from various perspectives throughout her career.
Which key thematic areas are explored?
The essay explores the influence of nineteenth-century medical and social realities, the impact of personal loss, and the shifting literary attitudes toward death ranging from denial to total embracement.
What is the main research question of the study?
The study seeks to understand why death became a central topic for Dickinson and how her poetic personas navigate the tension between the fear of mortality and the acceptance of life’s end.
What methodology does the author employ?
The author employs a qualitative literary analysis, examining selected poems and comparing them with biographical details and contemporary literary criticism to interpret the poet's stance.
What subjects are covered in the main body?
The main body treats the omnipresence of death in the nineteenth century, analyzes specific poems such as #981, #1527, and #1100, and discusses the poet's shift toward accepting death as a part of life.
Which keywords best describe this research?
The research is best characterized by keywords such as Emily Dickinson, mortality, literary persona, American literature, and the thematic evolution of mourning.
How does Dickinson represent death in her poetry?
Dickinson often personifies death, such as in the poem "the postponeless Creature," treating it as both a frightening enemy and a comforting, inevitable friend.
Does the author conclude that the poems are strictly autobiographical?
No, the author notes that while the poems are often read as such, Dickinson herself insisted on a distinction between her personal self and the "supposed person" or persona found in her verse.
- Quote paper
- Nina Dietrich (Author), 2002, Emily Dickinson's Death Poetry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/19970
