Emily Dickinson

Definition

Emily Dickinson was an American poet of the 19th century who is renowned for her unique and innovative poetic style. Her work is characterized by its brevity, use of dashes, and exploration of themes related to death, nature, and the human condition. Dickinson's poetry reflects the individualism and religious awakening that defined the era in which she lived.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dickinson's poetry often defied traditional poetic forms and conventions, using unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and structure to convey her unique perspective on the world.
2. Many of Dickinson's poems explore themes of death, immortality, and the nature of the human soul, reflecting the religious and spiritual awakening of the 19th century.
3. Dickinson's poetry was largely unpublished during her lifetime, with only a small number of her poems appearing in magazines. It was not until after her death that her complete body of work was discovered and recognized as a groundbreaking contribution to American literature.
4. Dickinson's use of nature imagery and her focus on the individual's relationship with the divine reflect the influence of Transcendentalist philosophy, which was prominent in the intellectual and cultural landscape of 19th-century America.
5. Dickinson's poetry is often characterized by its use of symbolic language and its exploration of the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms, which aligns with the Symbolist movement that was gaining traction in Europe during her lifetime.

Review Questions

• Explain how Emily Dickinson's poetic style and themes reflect the individualism and religious awakening of the 19th century.
  • Emily Dickinson's poetic style, which defied traditional forms and conventions, exemplified the individualism and spirit of self-expression that characterized the 19th century. Her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and structure allowed her to convey her unique perspective on the world and her exploration of themes such as death, immortality, and the nature of the human soul. These themes, which were central to Dickinson's poetry, also reflect the religious and spiritual awakening that was taking place during this era, as individuals sought to understand their relationship with the divine and the mysteries of the human condition.
• Analyze the influence of Transcendentalist philosophy and the Symbolist movement on Emily Dickinson's poetry.
  • Dickinson's poetry was heavily influenced by the Transcendentalist philosophy that was prominent in 19th-century America. Her use of nature imagery and her focus on the individual's relationship with the divine reflect the Transcendentalist belief in the inherent goodness of both the individual and the natural world, as well as the ability of the individual to transcend the physical realm through spiritual and intellectual means. Additionally, Dickinson's poetry is characterized by its use of symbolic language and its exploration of the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms, which aligns with the Symbolist movement that was gaining traction in Europe during her lifetime. This combination of Transcendentalist and Symbolist influences contributed to the uniqueness and innovation of Dickinson's poetic style and themes.
• Evaluate the significance of Emily Dickinson's poetry in the context of the religious and cultural landscape of 19th-century America.
  • Emily Dickinson's poetry stands as a seminal contribution to American literature, as it both reflected and shaped the religious and cultural landscape of 19th-century America. Her exploration of themes such as death, immortality, and the nature of the human soul resonated with the religious and spiritual awakening that was taking place during this era, as individuals grappled with questions of faith, identity, and the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms. Dickinson's innovative poetic style, which defied traditional forms and conventions, also embodied the individualism and spirit of self-expression that characterized the 19th century. In this way, Dickinson's poetry not only captured the zeitgeist of her time but also pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the realm of artistic expression, paving the way for future generations of American writers and thinkers.

Related terms

Transcendentalism:

A philosophical movement in the 19th century that emphasized the inherent goodness of both the individual and nature, as well as the ability of the individual to transcend the physical world through spiritual and intellectual means.

Puritan Tradition: The religious and cultural tradition of the Puritans, a group of English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England of Catholic practices and emphasize the importance of individual piety and scriptural interpretation.

Symbolism: A literary and artistic movement that used symbolic imagery to convey complex ideas and emotions, often exploring the relationship between the physical and spiritual realms.