Transcript Emily Dickinson - FirstClass Login

Emily Dickinson
The Belle of
Amhurst
Emily Dickinson
Born Dec. 10, 1830
Died May 15, 1886
Completed high school at
Amherst Academy, and then
attended Mt. Holyoke Seminary
for only 1 year
Her High School education was
thorough and advanced
Left Mt. Holyoke probably
because what she was being
taught was no more advanced
that what she had already
learned at Amherst Academy.
This was more education than
most males of the time.
Poor health and lack of
finances also likely played a
role in her leaving.
Emily Dickinson
Returned home to care for
the house of her father.
This was typical of 19th century
women in America.
She was expected to remain
there until marriage.
She was not encouraged to
pursue a career.
Few jobs were open to women.
Emily’s father was openly
sexist with respect to social
roles.
It is ironic that in a family of
active, ambitious men, Emily
and her poetry would become
the most well known family
member.
Emily Dickinson
Emily’s writing remained mostly
personal throughout her life.
Most women writers of the period wrote
for a “popular” audience  Pulp fiction,
romance, etc.
Emily did not want the fame that would
follow a popular writer.
Consequently only a dozen or so of her
poems were ever published.
Emily Dickinson
Emily became a true recluse
She only left Amherst 12 times in her life.
Attended school at Mt. Holyoke
Two extended doctors visits to Boston to treat
failing eyesight. (7 months & 6 months)
Had very few friends
Family (Sister Lavinia)
Sister in Law (Susan Gilbert Dickinson)
Sam Bowles  Editor of the Springfield Daily
Republican, refused to publish her poems (because
he did not understand them?) Emily appears to have
suffered greatly because of his rejection.
Rev. Charles Wadsworth  possibly her unrequited
love???
Thomas Higginson  Late life acquaintance,
publisher of her poems posthumously
Emily Dickinson
Did not leave her house in
the last 17 years of her life.
Visitors could talk to her
only through a partially
open doorway.
Even on her deathbed,
she would only allow the
doctor to see her from the
next room through an
open doorway.
Wouldn’t walk to brother’s
house next door to visit
her Sister-in-law
Only went once when her
nephew died.
Agoraphobia???
Emily Dickinson
Suffered from Bright’s disease 
Died from it.
It also caused fainting spells  she
writes about them in many poems.