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The Poems of Emily Dickinson

emily dickinson r.w. franklin

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Emily Dickinson, poet of the interior life, imagined words/swords, hurling barbed syllables/piercing. Nothing about her adult appearance or habitation revealed such a militant soul. Only poems, written quietly in a room of her own, often hand-stitched in small volumes, then hidden in a drawer, revealed her true self. She did not live in time but in universals--an acute, sensitive nature reaching out boldly from self-referral to a wider, imagined world.

Dickinson died without fame; only a few poems were published in her lifetime. Her legacy was later rescued from her desk--an astonishing body of work, much of which has since appeared in piecemeal editions, sometimes with words altered by editors or publishers according to the fashion of the day.

Now Ralph Franklin, the foremost scholar of Dickinson's manuscripts, has prepared an authoritative one-volume edition of all extant poems by Emily Dickinson--1,789 poems in all, the largest number ever assembled. This reading edition derives from his three-volume work, The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Variorum Edition (1998), which contains approximately 2,500 sources for the poems. In this one-volume edition, Franklin offers a single reading of each poem--usually the latest version of the entire poem--rendered with Dickinson's spelling, punctuation, and capitalization intact. The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Reading Edition is a milestone in American literary scholarship and an indispensable addition to the personal library of poetry lovers everywhere.

690 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1890

This edition

Format
690 pages, Paperback
Published
October 28, 2005 by Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press
ISBN
9780674018242
ASIN
0674018249
Language
English

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About the author

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emily dickinson

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Emily Dickinson was an American poet who, despite the fact that less than a dozen of her nearly eighteen hundred poems were published during her lifetime, is widely considered one of the most original and influential poets of the 19th century.

Dickinson was born to a successful family with strong community ties, she lived a mostly introverted and reclusive life. After she studied at the Amherst Academy for seven years in her youth, she spent a short time at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary before returning to her family's house in Amherst. Thought of as an eccentric by the locals, she became known for her penchant for white clothing and her reluctance to greet guests or, later in life, even leave her room. Most of her friendships were therefore carried out by correspondence.

Although Dickinson was a prolific private poet, fewer than a dozen of her nearly eighteen hundred poems were published during her lifetime.The work that was published during her lifetime was usually altered significantly by the publishers to fit the conventional poetic rules of the time. Dickinson's poems are unique for the era in which she wrote; they contain short lines, typically lack titles, and often use slant rhyme as well as unconventional capitalization and punctuation.Many of her poems deal with themes of death and immortality, two recurring topics in letters to her friends.

Although most of her acquaintances were probably aware of Dickinson's writing, it was not until after her death in 1886—when Lavinia, Emily's younger sister, discovered her cache of poems—that the breadth of Dickinson's work became apparent. Her first collection of poetry was published in 1890 by personal acquaintances Thomas Wentworth Higginson and Mabel Loomis Todd, both of whom heavily edited the content.

A complete and mostly unaltered collection of her poetry became available for the first time in 1955 when The Poems of Emily Dickinson was published by scholar Thomas H. Johnson. Despite unfavorable reviews and skepticism of her literary prowess during the late 19th and early 20th century, critics now consider Dickinson to be a major American poet.

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 98 votes)
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98 reviews All reviews
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Sa1ki-kun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The pages hold beauty, truth and a sly kind of humor. They are like a magical portal that transports us to different worlds and experiences.

As we turn the pages, we are greeted with vivid descriptions that paint a picture in our minds. The beauty lies in the words themselves, carefully chosen and arranged to create a masterpiece.

The truth is revealed through the stories and characters, teaching us valuable lessons about life, love, and everything in between.

And then there is the humor, that unexpected twist or witty remark that makes us laugh out loud. It lightens the mood and adds a touch of playfulness to the reading experience.

Together, these elements make the pages a treasure trove of entertainment and enlightenment. They have the power to inspire us, move us, and make us see the world in a different light.

Whether we are reading a novel, a poem, or an article, the pages hold the key to a world of endless possibilities. So, let us open them up and let the magic begin.
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Sulfurian
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This splendid book gathers Miss Dickinson's abundant literary offspring.

Even before her era, she had already mastered the short form and slant rhyme that are the hallmarks of the modern poem.

It is true that she devotes a significant amount of time to lamenting death and contemplating bees. However, her predominantly private thoughts have left an indelible mark on the American soul.

"Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —"

Her works are like precious pearls, hidden away yet shining with an undeniable光芒. They offer a unique perspective on life, death, and the human condition.

Reading her poems is like embarking on a journey through her mind, experiencing her joys, sorrows, and profound insights.

Miss Dickinson's contributions to American literature are truly remarkable and continue to inspire generations of readers and writers alike.
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exoticismisgross
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I love poetry, but I don't read as much as I would like.

I also believe that in order to be better appreciated, a book of poems should be read at a slow pace.

With Emily Dickinson, I needed to read it all at once. Her poetry is electrifying and completely absorbs us.

How did a solitary and isolated woman from the world create some of the most beautiful poems?

Her poetry mainly focuses on death, solitude, and immortality.

She was indeed a remarkable figure, and I only regret that she was discovered after her death.

Unfortunately, most geniuses are not valued in their time.

This was the poem that had the greatest impact on me:

This is my letter to the world,

That never wrote to me,--

The simple news that Nature told,

With tender majesty.

Her message is committed

To hands I cannot see;

For love of her, sweet countrymen,

Judge tenderly of me!

Dickinson's words seem to reach out from the past, touching our hearts and making us reflect on the power of poetry and the importance of seeing and valuing the gifts of those who come before us.

Her unique perspective and表达方式 offer a window into a world that is both beautiful and profound.

I look forward to exploring more of her works and continuing to be inspired by her genius.

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SodiumChloride
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I love Miss Dickinson.

Her works are like precious gems that shine with unique luster.

Her poetry is filled with profound emotions and deep insights into life.

Each word she uses seems to be carefully chosen, carrying a weight of meaning that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Miss Dickinson's writing style is distinct, with its concise yet powerful expressions.

She has the ability to convey complex ideas and feelings in a simple and direct way, making her poetry accessible to a wide range of readers.

Her works explore themes such as love, death, nature, and the human condition, touching on the universal experiences and emotions that we all share.

Whenever I read her poetry, I am transported to a world of her creation, where I can explore the depths of my own emotions and gain a new perspective on life.

I am truly in awe of Miss Dickinson's talent and her contribution to the world of literature.

She will always be one of my favorite poets, and her works will continue to inspire me for years to come.
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MK_Alex
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I am making a valiant effort to read a few poems every night before going to bed. My aim is to reach a point where I can nonchalantly say, “oh yes, I’ve read all of Emily Dickinson’s poems,” and watch as everyone else in the room rolls their eyes at me with such intensity that it’s almost as if I can hear the sound of their eye-rolling.


This might seem like a somewhat ambitious goal, but I am determined to achieve it. I find the works of Emily Dickinson to be truly captivating, and I want to immerse myself in her world of words and emotions.


Hopefully, by the end of 2022, I will have completed this endeavor and be able to add this accomplishment to my list of literary feats. It won't be easy, but I am willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen.

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SpaceGandalf
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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There's truly nothing quite like Emily Dickinson when it comes to excellent, emotional, sometimes sarcastic, and always entertaining short poems. Her works are a treasure trove of literary gems. Each poem seems to be a tiny universe unto itself, filled with deep emotions and profound thoughts. Whether she is expressing love, grief, or a sense of wonder at the world around her, Dickinson's words have the power to touch the hearts and minds of readers. Her use of language is masterful, with carefully chosen words and unique turns of phrase that make her poems both accessible and thought-provoking. The shortness of her poems only adds to their impact, as she is able to convey so much in just a few lines. Emily Dickinson's poetry is a testament to her creativity and talent, and it continues to be beloved by readers around the world.

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Arionz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Because she is so freaking good,

As good as she can be.

She has this amazing talent that just blows my mind.

She makes me want to scream and shout,

And set my poor heart free from all the constraints.

Because I cannot live without her rhythm and her rhyme.

Her words flow like a beautiful melody,

captivating my soul with every line.

I keep this poet close at hand,

cherishing her work like a precious treasure.

And all I ask for is time,

time to fully immerse myself in her world of words,

time to understand the depth of her emotions,

time to let her poetry heal my heart and inspire my own creativity.

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Mina-dere
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Some days ago, my father comes back from his daily stroll to the newsstand for the newspaper and says to me: "Oh, does this interest you?" And I say: "If it's a book, it always interests me..."

So this booklet, some poems of Emily Dickinson, an author not yet present in my personal library, falls into my hands. I turn it over and over in my hands for a few days, then I start reading it.

I am immediately struck from the first pages, for its delicacy, for its ability to give impulses for reflection on the nature of man and on Nature, and then especially for the relationship between them.

The Nature described in these poems is that Nature which is everything and comprehends everything, because what are we if not an extension of it?

"Nature" is what we see:

the hill, the noon, the squirrel,

the eclipse, the bumblebee,

Nature is Paradise.

Nature is what we hear:

the sparrow and the sea,

the thunder, the cricket,

Nature is melody.

Nature is what we know,

but we don't know how to express:

so impotent our wisdom

against its simplicity.
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