Emily Dickinson

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses that, although Emily Dickinson is one of America's most revered poets, there can be no doubt that the poet suffered from a social phobia that kept her a hermit most of her life. Dickinson was a recluse and socially dysfunctional but these were the qualities that caused her to create some of the most popular poetry in American literature. The paper examines her poems "I'm Nobody! Who are you", "The Soul Selects Her Own Society" and "One Need not be a Chamber to be Haunted" which all highlight her reclusive lifestyle. Her early experiences with death and rejection taught her how to rely on herself and her poetry to find peace in the world.

From the Paper:

"We can also see a hint of why Dickinson may have remained a recluse for most of her life in her letters to Mr. Higginson. When she is describing her past to him, she speaks of "terror since September" (Dickinson) and also mentions being afraid. This line alone could explain that the poet was simply too afraid, for whatever reasons, to venture outside of her house. It is also important to note that the poet mentions having a friend "who taught me Immortality" (Dickinson Foregrounds and Apprenticeships) as well as having a Tutor that died. In addition, she continues to tell Higginson that "Hills . . . Sundown-and a Dog-large as myself . . . are better than Beings-because they know-but do not tell" (Dickinson)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dickinson, Emily. "I'm nobody! Who Are You?" Bartleby Online. <http://www.bartleby.com/113/1027.html> Site Accessed February 20, 2006.
• ---. "One Need Not Be a Chamber to be Haunted." Bartleby Online. <http://www.bartleby.com/113/4069.html> Site Accessed February 20, 2006.
• ---. "The Soul Selects Her Own Society." Bartleby Online. <http://www.bartleby.com/113/1013.html> Site Accessed February 20, 2006.
• "Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson." Foregrounds and Apprenticeships. <http://www.classroomelectric.org/volume1/belasco/dickinson-higginson.htm> Site Accessed February 20, 2006.

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