It has long been established that one of the most iconic figures of American literature is Emily Dickinson. Her impact has been incomparable, with a large corpus of over 1700 poems, combined with her long lasting commitment to her work and craftsmanship. But what many do not realise is just how young Dickinson was when she began writing poetry. Despite being a famous poet now, Dickinson made her mark at a young age, having written her first poem at the age of 11.
It is hard to comprehend the immense impact that Dickinson had with only 11 years of life experience. This begs the question, what inspires a writing prodigy? By analysing the life of Dickinson and her personal journey, we can begin to understand the potential influence on her work. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a relatively well-to-do family in 1830, Dickinson’s familial relationships were filled with affection and admiration. As the second eldest child, she was surrounded by her siblings (six brothers and one sister), loving parents and grandparents who revolved around her.
As a young girl, Dickinson ‘was described as intelligent, somewhat shy, introverted but also good-humored, combative and able to perform a vivid way with words’ according to Margaret Armstrong, a close friend of the poet’s. This attested to an aptitude for writing, an inherited curiosity from her father. He provided Dickinson with a large library to develop her interests, from novels and philosophy to natural sciences; topics which together shaped her writing style and given rise to the idea of stringing together two totally disparate things to create a powerful metaphor.
Moreover, Dickinson’s home environment provided her with an emotional safety net. This was essential in allowing her to express her true feelings, to experiment and to find her unique voice: that of a confessional poet. This gave Dickinson the perception of a ‘free spirit’ with the ability to understand and make sense of complex emotions by turning them into art.
Dickinson began writing poetry at a very young age and by the time she was 16, her writing had already reached impressive heights. She wrote extensively and quite often, producing over 900 poems between the ages of 11 and 17. Her early works being closer to traditional forms, however as she matured she began to compose shorter, more symbolically-oriented works.
Religious Influences
Religion was an unquestionably influential factor in Dickinson’s life and poems. Her early education was steeped in Calvinist teachings and so it is not surprising that her works display a heavy biblical influence. For example, the poem ‘To Prosecute And Punish’ directly refers to the Ten Commandments. This heavily moral framework has a direct influence on Dickinson’s writing, as her work consists of numerous interferences between the sins of humanity and religious faith.
Primarily focusing on the conflict between damnation and salvation, the devout Calvinist views were a major source of inspiration in Dickinson’s works. Even when slightly deviating from her religious upbringing, it is clear that her relationship with faith was far from simple.Being a deeply moral person does not mean that she was in complete agreement with the tenets of Calvinism. Dickinson is known for many of her works alluding to a power higher than God, probably derived from her strong personal conviction that nature was something holy.
By analysing this, it can be seen how the constraints of traditional religious teachings only act as one of Dickinson’s many sources of inspiration. As a highly introspective individual, Dickinson fully embraced her imaginative potential to the best of her ability and the results speak for themselves.
Writing as an Outlet
Emily Dickinson was an introverted recluse, known for her strong dislike of visiting. Dickinson’s world was one of exclusion, with little social contact and few close friends as she moved into adulthood. This further proves how writing was a crucial coping method for Dickinson’s maladjustment and that her poetry was just as much a form of a dialogue between herself and the external world.
Her works often contain revealing and extremely personal reflections, making them incredibly timeless, raising questions which everyone can find an answer to. From ‘Crisis Is A Hairline’ on the fragility of life to ‘The Soul Selects Her Own Society’ on the importance of reclusiveness, Dickinson provides readers with an intimate look into the world of a woman attempting to find solace in the face of despair.
Given the fact that Dickinson’s entire childhood and adult life was spent living in the same place, it is easy to understand why her works often focus on her surroundings. The Amherst countryside in and of itself held a symbolic power for Dickinson. In Dickinson’s isolation, she finds convenience and safety in her reflection, given the fact that she could always go back to nature for guidance.
It is clear that a variety of sources throughout Dickinson’s upbringing shaped her life and works. At a young age of 11, Dickinson had already discovered her passion and gift for writing. It is through a representation of her ideas and morals that she found solace and self-expression. The combination of her core beliefs and the influence of her religious upbringing created an influence that could forever shape her work.
The Genius of Emily Dickinson
As Dickinson progressed in her craft, her works demonstrated an increasing manipulation of language and its syntax; something that has bewitched readers of all backgrounds. Through her skillfully crafted metaphors and her sheer brilliance, she reinvented the wheel when it came to conveying thought and emotion. Dickinson’s works display a majority of intricate metaphors in which she uses for comparison; to make an idea appear more concrete, to explain human nature in easier terms or make her opinions on certain life themes known.
As well as this, Dickinson’s experimentation with the use of punctuation and her distinct use of dashes distinguish her from those of her contemporaries. Also, the rather atypical syntax of her work speaks for itself. An example of this is when Dickinson inverts the structure of a sentence to add more expressiveness and attention. This changes the flow of her poems and sharpens her point of view.
Her brilliance as a thinker and writer can be attributed to her unwavering commitment to her craft. Having written extensively since the age of 11, Dickinson evidently devoted much time to her writing and worked hard to improve her skills. These efforts in turn contribute to the appreciation of Dickinson’s work and its ability to capture the beauty within the everyday experience.
A New Wave of Fame
The rush to Dickinson’s work has only increased ever since. Despite the fact that Dickinson fiercely protected her talent and identity, visitors were often found in her home and many people were aware of her talent from a young age. Still, it was not until after her death that Dickinson’s fame started to take the form that it is in today.
The contents of her sister Vinnie’s drawers were discovered upon her death, bringing her writings to the public attention for the first time. Dickinson is no longer remembered as the reclusive figure of society, but rather as an immensely talented poetess. Her notoriety has been overwhelming and her influence continues to be felt in all forms of literature.
The sudden appreciation of her skill and art is a direct result of her death, however, in no way has it diminished the feeling of admiration and respect that readers display towards her works. Dickinson was, is, and will always remain one of America’s heroes of the written word.
Legacy
Nowadays, Dickinson’s fame is noteworthy. Her collected works have inspired numerous plays, films and musicals. Her legacy and influence are particularly strong in the realms of literature, philosophy and feminism. The undeniable power of her work has led to academic courses being specifically dedicated to the study of her poetry, resulting in a myriad of different interpretations.
From the thoughts of academics to the passion of everyday readers, Dickinson’s impact has been adored and admired by those fortunate enough to appreciate its depth. Dickinson’s poetry provides readers with a stimulating experience, her words presenting us with a sense of comfort and familiarity. No other writer has had the same impact since then, it is remarkable to think that a person of only 11 years of age can have such a powerful influence.
Concrete Poetry
The influence of Emily Dickinson does not stop at her literary work. Almost single-handedly, she coined and revived the art of concrete poetry, whereby poets form their words into recognizable imagery. This can be seen in works such as A Death-Blow Is A Life-Blow, To The Dead where Dickinson symbolically forms a cross with the pairing of two diametrical distiches.
This doesn’t necessarily have to have a religious implication, but stand more so as a representation of Dickinson’s views on life and the universe, the need for balance. Her words form a physical bond to the written page and become something tangible, something we can hold and admire.
It is no wonder why Dickinson has earned her status as a beloved figure of American literature. She is forever ingrained in America’s history, a part of its narratives and hers will remain one of the greatest literary legacies that any writer will ever be able to leave.
