Emily Dickinson lived a life of extreme isolation and privacy; she left only her poems behind as a clue to understanding her incredibly advanced mind. While Dickinson was afraid to share her beliefs in public, her writings become an outlet for expression and enabled Emily to piece together her complex thoughts. Feminism was not a popular ideology during Dickinson’s nineteenth century life, with the first “wave” of feminism being in the early 1900s. However, an analysis of her poetry points to the fact that Dickinson shared many feminist ideals with Mary Wollstonecraft and Betty Friedan, popular feminist authors. Emily Dickinson’s intellectual contemplation of life and death, understanding of women’s relation to men, and hint of free sexuality
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Mary Wollstonecraft argues that women are inferior, and nearly slaves, when they “have not acquired a love for mankind by turning their thoughts to the grand pursuits that exalt the human race” (DD 496). However, Emily Dickinson does exactly this; she contemplates the meaning of life in a way that was not expected of women in her time. In the second version of Poem 124, Dickinson writes of the dead- “safe in their Alabaster Chambers/ untouched by morning/ and untouched by noon” (NAP 720). The perished are at peace and protected from the natural world. While they are resting, “grand go the Years,/ in the crescent above them/ worlds scoop their Arcs/ and firmaments row/ Diadems – drop/ and Doges – surrender/ soundless as Dots,/ on a disc of Snow.” (NAP 721). Dickinson’s poetry proves that she spent time considering the impact of humans of Earth. She knows that when people pass away, the world goes on without them. In the end, humans are as miniscule as dots on a speck of snow. This poem has a hint …show more content…
According to Mary Wollstonecraft, many women are focused on using “their clothes as riches” because of their “want of cultivation of mind” (DD 496). She believes that the reason many women are occupied with their appearance is because they are searching for a way to exercise their uneducated brains. Dickinson cultivates her mind through intellectual contemplation. In Poem 145, she retells a story of Jacob from Genesis in great detail, proving her education in religion. Then, in Poem 202, Dickinson examines if religion is really enough to lead our lives. She writes that “ ‘Faith’ is a fine invention/ for Gentlemen who see/ But Microscopes are prudent/ in an Emergency” (NAP 721). Emily Dickinson is aware that religion is useful for some people, but she believes that science and education are more important in certain situations. Intellect is more than just reading books and knowing facts, Dickinson is able to consider the meaning of religion and life. Wollstonecraft claims that women have their current position in society as a “natural consequence of their education and station in society” (DD 502). When women are able to become educated and reject their role in the household, they will gain equality. When Emily Dickinson contemplates the purpose of religion in her poetry, she exhibits her support for the ideals of feminism and education of
Mary Wollstonecraft argues that women are inferior, and nearly slaves, when they “have not acquired a love for mankind by turning their thoughts to the grand pursuits that exalt the human race” (DD 496). However, Emily Dickinson does exactly this; she contemplates the meaning of life in a way that was not expected of women in her time. In the second version of Poem 124, Dickinson writes of the dead- “safe in their Alabaster Chambers/ untouched by morning/ and untouched by noon” (NAP 720). The perished are at peace and protected from the natural world. While they are resting, “grand go the Years,/ in the crescent above them/ worlds scoop their Arcs/ and firmaments row/ Diadems – drop/ and Doges – surrender/ soundless as Dots,/ on a disc of Snow.” (NAP 721). Dickinson’s poetry proves that she spent time considering the impact of humans of Earth. She knows that when people pass away, the world goes on without them. In the end, humans are as miniscule as dots on a speck of snow. This poem has a hint …show more content…
According to Mary Wollstonecraft, many women are focused on using “their clothes as riches” because of their “want of cultivation of mind” (DD 496). She believes that the reason many women are occupied with their appearance is because they are searching for a way to exercise their uneducated brains. Dickinson cultivates her mind through intellectual contemplation. In Poem 145, she retells a story of Jacob from Genesis in great detail, proving her education in religion. Then, in Poem 202, Dickinson examines if religion is really enough to lead our lives. She writes that “ ‘Faith’ is a fine invention/ for Gentlemen who see/ But Microscopes are prudent/ in an Emergency” (NAP 721). Emily Dickinson is aware that religion is useful for some people, but she believes that science and education are more important in certain situations. Intellect is more than just reading books and knowing facts, Dickinson is able to consider the meaning of religion and life. Wollstonecraft claims that women have their current position in society as a “natural consequence of their education and station in society” (DD 502). When women are able to become educated and reject their role in the household, they will gain equality. When Emily Dickinson contemplates the purpose of religion in her poetry, she exhibits her support for the ideals of feminism and education of