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Emily Dickinson 1830-1886. Dickinson’s Life. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts As a child she was energetic and led a “normal” childhood. However, as she grew older she became increasingly isolated. Though she traveled as a young woman, when she grew older she rarely left her hometown.
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Dickinson’s Life • Born in Amherst, Massachusetts • As a child she was energetic and led a “normal” childhood. • However, as she grew older she became increasingly isolated. • Though she traveled as a young woman, when she grew older she rarely left her hometown. • After her father’s death in 1874, she seldom left the house.
She had no interest in seeing strangers. • When she became ill, she only allowed her doctor to observe her from a distance. • Despite these behaviors, she was not a misanthrope. She often lowered baskets of candy down from her window to the children below. • She possessed a clear sense of purpose– to write poetry– and she devoted most of her time to writing.
Dickinson’s Writing Career • Found metaphors in nature • Never expected an audience • Was not made famous until after her death
Dickinson’s Style • Extremely careful in her choice of words • She aimed to evoke the feelings of things rather than simply name them. • Her technique is economical. • Her neat stanzas are controlled by the demands of rhyme and the meters she found in her hymn book.
After her death in 1886, family members began publishing her poems, despite the fact that she left instructions for her poems to be burned. • It was not until 1955 that a collection of her poetry was made available. • At this time, she was recognized as one of the greatest poets America had produced.
