Emily Dickinson Nobody

Dickinson’s This is my Letter to the World raises tension between exclusion and the human conditions’ longing for belonging. Dickinson’s “letter to the world” is an extended metaphor of her deliberate attempt to establish an affinity with her society through art- her literature just like Grossman’s essay. Her vulnerability and isolation, is evident in her personal tone with “my letter” being exposed to the wider “world”. This disclosure juxtaposed with the next line “that never wrote to me” further emphasizes her reality filled with isolation. The juxtaposition encapsulates her position as an outsider, interplaying the themes of inclusion and exclusion, seen through her desire for her art to be reciprocated and appreciated by the open distant world. Furthermore, Dickinson covets for a sense of connection through the reoccurring motif of the natural world, personifying “her” as a feminine persona with a nurturing capacity emphasizes through the accumulation of endorsing imagery “tender majesty… hands I cannot see…for love of her”. Despite her lack of relationship with her environment, she elevates nature to be majestic further denigrating her own self status as her writing will still be “judged” no matter how “tenderly”. Thus Dickinson seeks a sense of belonging through nature deriving from the human condition, yet in this driving process towards inclusion is met by exclusion from her sense of identity

Emily Dickinson was one of the best American poets, but she is very famous for being a secluded writer. Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1846 in Amherst, Massachusetts and she died on May 15, 1886 at the age of 55 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her isolation from the outside world still confuses literary critics and readers of her poetry and letters. There are many theories developed over time about her seclusion. Some people believe her secluded way of life was her own choice but she was very close to her family. Emily Dickinson lived in a happy home and went to a school during her life. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830 and lived there all her life most of her life. An introduction into Emily Dickinson’s poetry themes, and discussion about the isolation in her life, and discussion about the isolation in her poetry will be examined in the paper.

In poem number 405, It might be lonelier; Dickinson adds a twist to a traditional view on loneliness. Instead of speaking of being lonely as a negative feeling, she sees herself as `lucky for having it'. It's almost as though she is feeling sorry for those who aren't able to feel alone in the same way.

However, the comparison between these two masterpieces shows two different aspects of society and community life. It shows how one community can manipulate other as well as how the society misjudges an individual on the basis of his/her appearance. Although each of these masterpieces shares distinctive emotions, yet both these poems seem interconnected and interrelated. Dickinson shares with the reader her thoughts about affected fame and fake glamour that people love so much; on the contrary she loves being “nobody”. On the other hand, there is sensitive and frustrating poem of Dunbar who communicates bigoted and biased behaviors that an entire community thrashes on another community. In Dunbar’s work, there are cultural conflict, ethnocentrism, group loyalty, dismay and too many other

“I’m Nobody! Who are you?” by Emily Dickinson reveals the invaluable aspect of remaining a “Nobody”—a person of little fame and stature. The poem examines the short monologue of a speaker as he or she confides with another “Nobody” and pities the life of a “Somebody”—a person with fame. The speaker finds the life of the famous boring; he or she finds being unrecognized much more comforting. This can be seen through the author’s varying tones in the first and second stanza: the first being more secretive, and the second being more pitiful. The secretive tone is present in the line “Don’t tell!” and brings about a sense of excitement as the speaker remains out of the public’s eye. In contrast to the excitement, the second stanza reveals the speaker’s viewpoint of the life of the recognized: it is mundane and “dreary” (Dickinson 838). The distinct contrast between the secretive tone and the mundane tone reveals why the speaker has a fondness towards being a “Nobody”: the life of a “Nobody” is—ironically—more exciting than the life of a “Somebody.” Another use of irony in “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” is the companionship found within being unrecognized versus the loneliness created from being famous. The speaker finds another “Nobody” to share his or her opinions with, stating that “there’s a pair of [them]” while being “Somebody” results in being a frog alone talking to an “admiring Bog” (Dickinson 838). The significance in this irony is that the speaker identifies the

Emily Dickinson demonstrates how identity is something she envies as reflected in poem 260. This poem talks about how an individual

She claims, “How dreary to be somebody! How public like a frog” (Dickinson). Shunning away from the blind conformity of the masses and focusing on oneself a transcendentalist idea that Dickinson values. Both Emily Dickinson and Mr. Keating believe that individuality trumps conformity, and they both inspire others to view life in the same light.

Who are you?” by Emily Dickinson shows the connection towards the society, the people and herself. In the poem, the poet portrays herself as a “Nobody” and playfully asks the responder “Who are you?”. Dickinson follows up by adding “Are you nobody too?/Then there is a pair of us!” this helps Dickinson unite with the responder adding the sense of belonging to one another. In the last stanza, the poet shows how oppressive the “somebodies” crowd can be “Don't tell!/They'd advertise - you know?” This also shows the connection that Dickinson has with being a nobody, and the ability to stand out from the crowd. “How dreary to be somebody!” shows how the poet loves to be a nobody, and feels like she belongs. Dickinson frequently uses rhythmic dashes to interrupt the flow, and engage the responder to pause to think and feel about the line. The poet also uses juxtaposition in the line “How public—like a Frog—” These combining elements are not typically considered together, and, thus, more powerfully conveying its meaning. The poem shows that Dickinson is quite content with not connecting with the “somebodies” and that the poet enjoys being an outsider to the rest of the world and feels like she belongs to her own little place.

Emily Dickinson’s Poem 353, “I’m ceded – I’ve stopped being Their’s -” speaks of truth to identity against societal standards. The poem is 19 lines, divided into three stanzas, and written in the first person with a single speaker. Dickinson incorporates her own opinion and experiences by writing an assertive poem.

Belonging consists of a struggle with opposing pressures. A desire to belong also consists of emotional conflicts and struggles between being acknowledged while also remaining as an individual and retaining personal ideals which may ultimately result in a connection. This is explored in Emily Dickinson’s selected poetry I died for beauty, but was scarce and I had been hungry all the years , as well as Scott Westerfeld’s novel Uglies. These texts all depict a struggle between being recognised and accepted in society and the desire to remain true to one’s self, exploring the paradoxical nature of belonging which, on one hand, provides fulfilment, but also removes a sense of personal identity.

Emily Dickinson was one of the best American poets, but she is very famous for being a secluded writer. Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1846 in Amherst, Massachusetts and she died on May 15, 1886 at the age of 55 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her isolation from the outside world still confuses literary critics and readers of her poetry and letters. There are many theories developed over time about her seclusion. Some people believe her secluded way of life was her own choice but she was very close to her family. Emily Dickinson lived in a happy home and went to a school during her life. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830 and lived there all her life most of her life. An introduction into Emily Dickinson’s poetry themes, and discussion about the isolation in her life, and discussion about the isolation in her poetry will be examined in the paper.

In Dickinson's poem # 1510 she also focuses on loneliness. In the first two lines,

I'm Nobody! Who are you? by Emily Dickinson reminds me of the song, "You belong with me" by Taylor Swift. These two works speak of the author being behind the scenes in life. The writers are unnoticed by society and watch life from the back of the room. Content to watch life play out for others, without the inconvenience of social rules and etiquette. Swift proudly sings "She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers" (Swift). Dickinson and Swift, in reality, are nothing alike, Swift is a brash famous woman, while Dickenson was a recluse. This work is excitedly unemotional while imparting wisdom. Dickinson's poem playfully speaks of human's social fears through voice, conventional symbols, and stanza.

In Success..., Dickinson reflects on the nature of success and how, ironically, it can be best appreciated and understood by those who have not achieved it and have no taste of it. As in "Faith"..., Dickinson powerfully presents her thoughts in a few lines. The poem deals only with one, ironic but universal, idea in its short length. It is the bitterness expressed at this irony (as found it Dickinson's juxtaposition of the words sweetest and sorest, separated by two lines) that is most felt by the reader. While the previous poem expresses the poetess' bitterness and sorrow with one aspect of her life, I'm Nobody! Who Are You? uses humor without irony to address another. In this poem, Dickinson style appears almost child-like in its of descriptions including frogs and bogs, as well as the lively energy expressed by the poem through its use of dashes and brief wording. Dickinson seems to be addressing her spinster, hermit-like existence (I'm Nobody) and her preference to it.

The meaning and impact of Dickinson’s work hinges on her employment of a single personification which extends throughout “The Soul Selects Her Own Society”. The personification begins on the first line with “The Soul selects her own Society —”. A soul, on its own, is not something that can select anything, or even have a society. Since it is immaterial, it certainly cannot “shut the Door —” as is stated in line two. This personification continues with lines such as, “she notes the Chariots —”, “Upon her Mat —”, and “close the Valves of her attention —”. The personification of “The Soul” immediately makes the poem feel more intimate. The word “soul” infers a deeper, more authentic, and closely guarded part of oneself. By personifying a soul, having it perform actions and make decisions, it is communicated that the events of this poem are neither an intellectual nor surface level matter. The decision to select those with whom you will be close with, and subsequently shut others out, is one which is based highly on feeling, emotion, and deep personal desires. Dickinson’s decision to write “The Soul Selects Her Own Society” in the context of a soul rather than the whole person allows the reader to pick up on the intended intimacy and depth the poem intends.