Weekly Classics Discussions

Emily Dickinson

Success is counted sweetest by those who never succeed. 

-Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was an American poet during the mid to late 1800s. Despite her love for poetry, her poems were not published until after her death in 1886 when her family discovered over 1,800 poems in handbound journals that Emily had created out of stationery paper and sewing supplies.

Emily is perceived as a poet who worked and wrote outside of normal expectations and experimented often with the first-person narrative. She explored poetry in new ways and helped release the conventional restraints on the poetry of her day.

It is highly speculated that Miss Dickinson was a recluse, some biographies even use the term 'recluse' to describe the poet. There are many who believe that she suffered from agoraphobia (a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that could cause panic ), depression and/or anxiety. Which leads us to our discussion question.

As a writer, it is easy to cut yourself off from the world. It is diving into the imagination and taking a journey outside of everyday life. In doing so, it is easy to forget about everyday responsibilities and losing sight of relationships and friendships. Often, many writers are known as recluses and it has been said writing is a lonely journey. Mostly because writers are on their story journey on their own.

As a writer, do you try to combat this reclusive nature? If so, what do you do to fight it?

As a reader, do you like it when the author of your story is an expert on a topic, like Emily Dickinson tended to be with botany? Or do you find it overwhelming?

Resources:

Emily Dickinson Poet

The Poet Foundation