Wonder Woman of the Week: Emily Dickinson

While many historians revel in the skill of American poets like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman, one poetess is often forgotten on the roster of American greats. Her style was unique and her works quintessential to the American poetry movement. This week’s spotlight is remembered today as one of the greatest writers in American history and doubles as being one of the most influential poets of the English language. The Wonder Woman of the Week is Emily Dickenson.

Emily Dickenson was born in Amhurst, MA in 1830 to a family with deep roots in New England. Her grandfather was the founder of a local university and her father was a state legislator. Young Emily was born into a family that could giver her almost everything. She went to the best schools in Amherst, but eventually it became clear what Emily’s family could not give her. In 1848, Emily Dickenson dropped out of school for unknown reasons- reasons modern-day historians attribute to her poor state of mental health. [1]

Even though Emily Dickenson dropped out of school, the act would not be obvious to readers of her poetry. While in school, Dickenson focused on subjects like astronomy, botany, chemistry, geology, mathematics, natural philosophy, and zoology. Her scientific background reflected in her poetry as she was famous for her detailed description of plants. But while her work played on the scientific description of specimens, Dickenson was far from an advocate for classroom science. Dickenson wanted to see nature in its “natural” environment and felt that a flower pulled from the earth and kept in a glass case stole the life from the specimen- a belief that may have reflected her own looking glass self. (The view by which a person sees themselves from an outside perspective.) [2]

By the 1860’s, Emily Dickinson- the advocate four outdoor adventures- lived in almost complete isolation. She spent the majority of her time writing poetry and penning letters to her family. Her work was further influenced by the Puritan teachings of New England, the works of the 17th Century metaphysical poets, and the works of Elizabeth Barret Browning- all of which Dickinson entrenched herself in during her time of self-exile. [3]

Emily Dickinson’s later life was defined by harsh realities. Dickinson’s father died in 1874, her mother suffered a stroke in 1875, her eight year-old nephew died in 1883, her romantic partner died in 1884, and her friend and colleague died in 1885. Dickinson herself became ill during this time and her health continued to deteriorate until her death in 1886. [4]

Perhaps Emily Dickinson’s life is best summarized by her poem “Success is Counted Sweetest.” which tells an audience of the bittersweet definition of success. It tells the audience that success is usually measured by those who did not have to work hard to achieve their goal- that true success must be measured by the struggle that the task required and the sacrifices that had to be made- that the greatest success was one the victor gained through such great loss that victory could not even describe the outcome. Emily Dickinson created beautiful art with words influenced by her empathy with plants exported from nature. She suffered loss, heartbreak, illness, and the death of everyone she knew before her end; but in that time, Dickinson created a level of art only achievable by an artist with the power to turn unyielding mental torment into unconditional beauty.

“Emily Dickenson Biography.” Biography.com. A&E Entertainment; nd. Web. 30 November 2016.

“Emily Dickinson.” Poetry Foundation. np;nd. Web. 30 November 2016.

“Emily Dickinson.” Poets.org. Academy of American Poets; nd. Web. 30 November 2016.

“Emily Dickinson: The Later Years (1865-1886).” Emily Dickinson Museum. Trustees of Amherst College; nd. Web. 30 November 2016.

Success is counted sweetest

By Emily Dickinson

Success is counted sweetest

By those who ne’er succeed

To comprehend the nectar

Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host

Who took the Flag today

Can tell the definition

So clear of victory

As he defeated- dying-

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Burst agonized and clear!