Emily Dickinson's Humor

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, even though people often think of Emily Dickinson in such terms as reclusive, despondent and unrequited love; parody, sarcasm and humor are very evident in Dickinson's works. The author points out that Dickinson often uses devices such as irony and satire for comic relief as well as for getting quickly across a point in her short, but significant pieces. The paper relates that Dickinson's topics run the gambit from politics and religion to making fun of the day-to-day inconsequential problems of life as seen in her poem "I'm Nobody, Who Are You?".

From the Paper:

""I'm Nobody" clearly demonstrates Dickinson's satire. It has been said that this poem is most likely about her inability to achieve recognition as a poet. However, especially because she kept to herself--actually enjoyed isolation--she probably would have been unhappy if fame had come her way. How horrible it would be, she relates, if you are famous and have to continually be ogled and followed by admirers. This is a problem, in fact, that most celebrities and other known individuals such as politicians have today. They cannot do anything without the press knowing it."

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