A Fascinating Read about Emily Dickinson

This book is truly a captivating one, offering not only rich details about the era but also insights into the life of the intriguing poet, Emily Dickinson. While some of the claims made in the book have been plausibly challenged since its publication, there is still a wealth of content here that Dickinson enthusiasts should not overlook.

Moreover, for me personally, this book has a remarkable effect. It makes the second half of the 19th century seem less like a distant and模糊的 memory, similar to a fuzzy-sounding wax cylinder. Instead, it gives the impression that those events took place in a more accessible space, albeit one that is still somewhat sealed off, like a room just next door.

It allows readers to step closer to the world in which Dickinson lived and worked, and to gain a deeper understanding of the context that shaped her poetry and her life. Overall, it is a book that combines historical research with a vivid portrayal of a remarkable individual, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Emily Dickinson or the history of American literature.

Wow!

Here is a comprehensive biography of one of America's best poets, right up there with Whitman of course. It was truly eye-opening.

She, Emily Dickinson, was far more interesting and full of life than the common myth of the recluse dressed in white.

This biography has completely changed my perception of her.

I absolutely loved it.

It is my first biography of Emily Dickinson, but it will most certainly not be my last.

I am eager to learn more about this remarkable poet and her life.

The details provided in this biography have given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of her work.

I can't wait to explore more biographies and gain even more insights into the life and mind of Emily Dickinson.

I'm not entirely certain as to why I persisted with this, aside from the fact that I had initiated the task and was resolute in seeing it through. When it comes to feats of scholarship, this two-volume biography is undoubtedly in a class of its own. I simply can't fathom how much time it took to compile, organize, and interpret all of this information. It isn't the author's fault that his subject is essentially unknowable.

The whole truth about Emily Dickinson will forever elude us; she seems almost deliberately to have ensured that.

Nor is it the author's fault that what remains is often quite melancholy.

...she always appears to have been grateful to anyone who could inspire a poem in her or a letter. At first, it was...any of the young people, both male and female, to whom she wrote with almost equal intensity. Later, she turned to people of a completely different sort, most of them impossibly out of her reach...

There is something truly heartbreaking about this reclusive woman bombarding her correspondents with so many letters and poems. Surely, many of them felt overwhelmed by it—and by her—and that is heartbreaking as well.

I suppose that after all those hundreds of pages, I mainly emerged with a greater appreciation for her poetry, and that makes the reading worthwhile.

He ate and drank the precious Words -
His Spirit grew robust -
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was Dust -

He danced along the dingy Days
And this Bequest of Wings
Was but a Book - What Liberty
A loosened spirit brings -

Many stereotypical impressions about Emily Dickinson persisted during her lifetime. In her 30s, the citizens of Amherst began calling her "The Myth," and such views continue to this day. The truth is, she was far too complex to be simply labeled. This 800+ page book, which took many years of research to write, is perhaps the best way to attempt to understand her.

You won't truly know her after finishing the book, but you will have a different and more comprehensive understanding than when you started. For instance, Emily Dickinson had a rich family life. She didn't need to travel far for companionship and love. She was a loyal correspondent, maintaining relationships with many friends, lovers, and relatives over the years. She often included a poem or two in her letters.

The Dickinsons were the most prestigious family in Amherst, attracting many visitors. There were numerous servants, animals, and neighborhood children. It was an active household, and Emily loved it. She was highly educated, spoke multiple languages, and was well-read. She admired the poetry of Elizabeth Browning and the fiction of George Eliot. She was familiar with the works of Shakespeare and the Bible. Emerson and Thoreau even visited the Dickinson home.

Emily Dickinson fell in love several times, deeply and passionately. She didn't hide her feelings and was very expressive. However, her father seemed to discourage the early suitors of both Emily and her sister, Vinnie. It didn't seem he was eager to see his daughters married. There was a mother in the narrative, but she remained elusive. It didn't seem that anyone in the Dickinson family, perhaps except her husband, really knew her. She was timid and vacant, and likely never truly knew herself.

Emily was closest to her brother, Austin, who lived next door with his wife and family. However, there was a rift, and the families didn't visit for years. His wife, Sue, was a strange woman, and one can't help but feel that the marriage was a mistake and a lifelong burden for Austin. In his early 40s, he had an affair with the wife of a professor, Mabel Todd Bingham, with the consent of her husband. One doesn't know Sue's attitude towards the affair or how she tolerated it. But Mabel Todd Bingham was responsible for the adept translation of Emily Dickinson's poetry that her sister, Vinnie, brought to her after Emily's death.

So, you see, although Emily never left her father's house in her middle years, her life was still very active. After the failure of a deep love, she found another that was returned with full force and affection. She was rarely published, and the poems that were published were altered by male editors and given titles she never applied. Based on the Victorian standard of meter, rhyme, and content, her poems were not valued, except by Helen Hunt Jackson, who recognized her genius. But she died before successfully persuading Emily to submit her poems to the right publishers.

Why did she wear white in later years? That question remains unanswered. She did associate the color with the holy, like the white raiment of John the Baptist, but she wasn't conventionally religious. Unlike the townspeople and her family, she never joined a church. She said she lived for love and poetry, and that's what she did. I don't know of a better way to get to know her, yet not really know her, than through this book.

This huge book is more suited to the literature student, than the casual reader.

It contains a wealth of in-depth literary analysis, complex themes, and sophisticated language that may be overwhelming for those who are simply looking for a light read.

Literature students, on the other hand, are trained to dissect and understand these elements, and can gain a great deal from studying this book.

They can explore the author's writing style, the historical and cultural context in which the book was written, and the various interpretations that can be made of the text.

For the casual reader, however, this book may seem dense and inaccessible. It requires a significant investment of time and effort to fully appreciate, and may not provide the immediate entertainment value that many readers seek.

Nevertheless, for those who are willing to put in the work, this huge book can be a rewarding and enlightening read.

Excellent!

This piece is an absolute must-read for any Dickinson fan. It offers a unique and in-depth exploration of Dickinson's works, delving into the various themes, motifs, and literary devices she employed. The author's analysis is both perceptive and engaging, providing new insights and interpretations that will surely enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of Dickinson's poetry. Whether you are a long-time admirer of Dickinson or are just beginning to discover her works, this article is sure to captivate and inspire you. So, don't miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of one of America's greatest poets.

In "A Shadow in the Garden: A Biographers’ Tale" by James Atlas, the author delves into the complex world of biography writing.

Atlas explores the challenges and rewards that biographers face as they attempt to capture the essence of a subject's life. He examines how biographers must sift through mountains of information, separate fact from fiction, and create a narrative that is both engaging and accurate.

The book also delves into the ethical dilemmas that biographers encounter, such as how to handle sensitive or controversial material. Atlas presents a nuanced and thought-provoking look at the art and science of biography writing, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the genre.

Overall, "A Shadow in the Garden" offers valuable insights into the world of biography and the people who dedicate their lives to telling the stories of others.

**Original Article**: This is a story about a brave boy. He faces many difficulties but never gives up. He finally achieves his goal.

**Expanded Article**:

This is a truly remarkable story about a brave boy.

He encounters numerous difficulties along his path, but his determination remains unwavering.

No matter how hard the situation gets, he refuses to give up.

He perseveres through every challenge, learning and growing from each experience.

With his unwavering spirit and hard work, he finally achieves his long-awaited goal.

His story is an inspiration to all, showing that with courage and determination, anything is possible.

It reminds us that we should never let difficulties stop us from pursuing our dreams.

We should always keep going, just like this brilliant boy.

Sewall's work truly puts a bright light on Dickinson's life.

By delving deep into the details of her existence, Sewall provides a comprehensive and fascinating account.

We learn about Dickinson's daily routines, her relationships with family and friends, and the events that shaped her unique perspective.

Through Sewall's eyes, we see Dickinson not just as a reclusive poet, but as a complex and multi-faceted individual.

Her joys, sorrows, and inner turmoil are all brought to the forefront, allowing us to better understand the woman behind the words.

Sewall's research and writing skills are evident in this exploration of Dickinson's life, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the poet or American literature.

Overall, Sewall's work is a valuable contribution to the study of Dickinson and helps to shed new light on her remarkable life and legacy.

This is a really big book.

It contains a wealth of information about Dickinson's poetry.

I am determined to finish reading it and gain a deeper understanding of her works.

Dickinson's poetry is known for its unique style and profound themes.

Her use of language is often concise yet powerful, capable of expressing complex emotions and ideas.

By studying her poetry, I hope to learn more about her creative process, her views on life, love, and death.

Help me to explore the beauty and mystery of Dickinson's poetry, and discover the hidden meanings and interpretations within each poem.

With your assistance, I believe I can better appreciate and understand the genius of Emily Dickinson.

This is the magnum opus on the life of Emily Dickinson.

She is widely regarded as the proto-modernist of poetry in the United States, co-equal with Walt Whitman. Her works are a testament to her unique vision and profound understanding of the human condition.

Thanks to the efforts of Mabel Loomis Todd and Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Dickinson's poetry was preserved and published posthumously. Their dedication ensured that her genius was not lost to the world.

Just imagine if Dickinson had not been published in her lifetime. We would have missed out on one of the greatest poets of all time. How many other great poets have remained unrecognized simply because of their obscurity?

This book is a must-read for poets and readers of poetry alike. It offers a fascinating insight into the life and work of a literary giant and is sure to inspire and delight all who pick it up.

I have always had a profound love for the poetry of Emily Dickinson. However, I had never truly delved deep into her life or conducted an extensive exploration of her work. But all that changed after I saw the recent biopic, “A Quiet Passion”. The movie was indeed elegant and visually stunning, with Cynthia Nixon delivering an excellent performance.

Yet, the portrayal of Emily seemed rather skewed and extreme. My impaired hearing also made it difficult for me to catch more than about a third of the quiet, almost breathless recitation of some of her poems. I couldn't help but wonder if the movie had done justice to her as a person. In my opinion, it had miserably failed to do justice to her poetry. So much of the movie was shot inside, in mostly dark interiors. While I understand that, at least from the outside, Emily's life appeared all interior and claustrophobic, but that wasn't how she lived it. Why not then have the poetry written across the darkened screen in a broad font, through which one could see the ever-unfolding landscapes of clouds, flowers, birds, carriages, seas, legends, etc. that Emily used to express the grandeur of her interior life?

This brings me to Richard B. Sewall’s masterful “The Life of Emily Dickinson”. This is a hefty book, over 700 pages, filled with extensive footnotes and appendices. I rarely engage with (or complete, for that matter) very long books, and I seldom examine extensive footnotes. But from the very beginning, Sewall’s writing captivated me, and I found the narrative completely fascinating and gripping on multiple levels and at every turn. Naturally, part of the book’s hold on me is because I grew up in a dysfunctional family, and I am myself a creative type, a loner, and an outsider.

Sewall, in turn, examines Emily’s family in its New England and Protestant roots, within the historical context of the time and the surrounding culture. He delves into the dynamics of a somewhat dysfunctional family, with peculiar members on each side, centered around a charismatic and somewhat autocratic father. Later, a hostile cold war developed between two sides of the family for over 15 years, even though they lived within yards of each other. He also looks into the powerful men who entered her life (and examines which one might have been the mysterious lover Emily writes about) and her rich relationships with women. Sewall doesn't hesitate to introduce various theories about Emily from the world of Dickinson biographers as he turns the subject of the creative personality over and under and inside out, finding ways to let Emily’s own writings shed light on her dark, outsider personality.

Throughout the book, Sewall ties his observations and scholarly insights to the poetry itself. If you get hooked by this book, you will definitely want to have a copy of the complete poems nearby. Your appreciation of her absolutely unique approach to poetry, which is kind of like zen telegrams, will deepen when you see it placed in the context of New England hymnals and literary figures who spoke and thought in aphorisms. Oh yes, and I found that my digital version of the Oxford English Dictionary was extremely helpful many times in understanding her wide vocabulary and use of words, many of which have somewhat altered their meanings in the past 150 years. Like me, you may also be led back to Shakespeare’s plays or look into small unknown writings that influenced Emily’s thinking. It's truly a gift that keeps on giving.

The book was one of the most moving literary journeys I have ever embarked on. Oh, and you may ask, what was my conclusion about the movie “A Quiet Passion”? It's a beautiful movie, but it did seem to miss the whole point of Emily’s life because it only looked at her from the outside. It portrays her as fey, neurasthenic, and cranky, suffering from some extreme ailment that made her a burden to others. However, this completely ignores the question of why so many people fiercely and deeply loved and defended her, and how the cloistered poet was able to write so stirringly about the entire universe and beyond, and has inspired such passionate devotion among her readers ever since.