A Glance at Emily Dickinson

To be or not to be...who really was Emily Dickinson?

My favorite poem that I read by Emily Dickinson so far is “I never lost as much but twice”. Although very short, this poem provoked me to wonder what kind of person Emily Dickinson really was and what her life was like. Was she a quiet, timid girl, as she appeared in her pictures? Or was she an outspoken woman? Where did she come from? Did she have a difficult life or did she come from a prestigious family?

Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts to Edward Dickinson and Emily Norcross. Her father was a successful lawyer and United States Congressman. Emily came from a family that advocated education and were adamant Calvinists. She was said to be somewhat of a “homebody” and lived a secluded life. Her father was a stern man, and monitored closely the books his children read. Emily had to sneak and read books deemed “inappropriate”. She did not, however, share her father’s views and was somewhat rebellious in nature.

[ http://www.biographyonline.net/poets/emily_dickinson.html ]

Emily Dickinson appeared childlike and often referred to herself as a child in her poetry. She was an intelligent woman who did not let on much of who she really was. She was described by Thomas Wentworth Higginson as intense. She was often questioned on her sexuality, spirituality, and views on life. This leads me to think we may not have known the real Emily Dickinson. All that we know of the writer is her works, but I believe the personality of the writer, the kind of person she really was, still goes unknown. What provoked Dickinson? Who inspired her? Due to her shy nature and secluded life, we may never know what made the writer tick.

[ http://www.online-literature.com/dickinson/ ]

This is a very interesting clip on critics view of Emily Dickinson:

I do believe the poem “I never lost as much but twice” was a glimpse of the poet’s life. Though it may appear to be about money, I think it has an underlying message of something much greater:

I NEVER lost as much but twice,

And that was in the sod;

Twice have I stood a beggar

Before the door of God!

Angels, twice descending,

Reimbursed my store.

Burglar, banker, father,

I am poor once more!

[ http://www.poetry-archive.com/d/i_never_lost_as_much_but_twice.html ]

Emily Dickinson died at the age of 55 from Bright's disease.