Decoding Dickinson: A Reader's Guide to Analyzing the Classic Poet

Emily Dickinson is generally thought to have lived a very secluded life in Amherst, Massachusetts. But although there is no record of travel, there are many records of correspondence to other writers of her time. She consistently contacted others whose opinions she held in high regard, importunining them to offer advice. The dialog she carried on with them shows she was greatly aware of her audience, despite the fact that her work was for the most part obscure during her lifetime. As a result of her correspondence and diligence to her art, she left us a host of beautifully crafted and deceptively simple poetry to pick apart and analyze.

Dickinson's work is perhaps most recognizable for her very characteristic use of odd grammatical structure in her poetry. Because of her odd style, unaware readers may find her poetry difficult at first. With dashes in unlikely positions and abnormal captilization patterns, her works are not easily deciphered to someone lacking the proper introduction to her style. I hope that this article will be that proper introduction for you and you will grow to love her works.

Dickinson uses metaphorical language often in her poetry. She uses her metaphors to describe a picture to illustrate a deeper principle of a bigger idea. It might even hint at several truths at once, setting the stage for her ultimate message. She often achieves this effect using a tight bundle of words, using minimal verbage to depict a larger concept. Readers capable of utilizing Dickinson's word art and allow the mind to paint a bigger picture will most likely understand Dickinson's form most accurately. This may sound very difficult, but once you pick it up, you will not be able to stop.

Dickinson's poems vaguely resemble the structure of poetry found in the Bible, in such books as psalms or proverbs, but only vaguely. She consistently interrupts the poetic meter with her unusual grammar structures. She utilizes these unlikely grammatical tools to suspend the typical meter. Why would she want to do that? She uses these as a tool of invitation to the reader- she invites her audience to discern the implied significance she is placing in breaking the regular meter. This emphasis may change the meaning of the poem entirely, almost acting as a secret message. In other words, without the emphasis, many of her works would indicate one meaning, but by stressing certain words or phrases, Dickinson manipulates the style to send a different message. She is also able to create a more eloquent picture in the minds of her audience with only a minimal amount of words when she uses her grammatic abnormalties to alter the structure.

It is for her mastery of the English language that Dickinson has been noted as one of the most notable American Poets of all time and within each new generation, new readers continue to connect on a deep, gutteral level to her works. I hope that this guide has given you the tools to connect with her prolific poems as well.

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