Emily Dickinson

The Belle of Amhurst

Emily DickinsonBorn Dec. 10, 1830Died May 15, 1886Completed high school at Amherst Academy, and then attended Mt. Holyoke Seminary for only 1 year

Her High School education was thorough and advancedLeft 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 DickinsonEmily became a true recluseShe only left Amherst 12 times in her life.

Attended school at Mt. HolyokeTwo 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-lawOnly 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.