Reflection Blog - Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, an author that has found herself labeled as a "tweener", simply falls into this category because she does not follow the "real" characteristics of the realism time period, yet also fails to fit in with the modernists of the modernism time period. Critics have tried too hard to define an era in history that fits perfectly with the generations that have come to pass and have left marks on literature, but have eventually influenced future prospects in some way or another. Dickinson's unintentional forte of writing has left her to be one of the most prominent and highly regarded authors of all time because she simply wrote in the style she preferred, and not of the rules and regulations society made up during her era.

Her writing style is rather simple, yet emotionally deep and gratifying. Dickinson secluded herself from the outside world and wrote in spite of the critical analogies she knew would come her way (McChesney). Extremely influenced by the writing's of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Dickinson yearned to follow an individualistic life style as demonstrated in Emerson's philosophies. Because of this, it can be inferred that she did somewhat fit into the time period of realism. Her works focused mainly on nature and the likes. She regarded nature very highly and wanted to connect herself with it in an attempt through her poems.

Her writing style was also highly influenced by her own opinion. She did not really appreciate other's opinions, so her writing reflected herself very much, which was something big for Emerson. Self was very integrated into the lives of society back in Dickinson's time period. People often think if Dickinson as being in the modernism time period. This literature movement focused on kind of "modernizing" literature because writers tried to be as unique as possible, not following the traditions of the writers before them (McChesney). Dickinson was definitely a part of this counterculture per say as seen in her poems such as "The Bee" and other unique and different works. It is easier to look at Dickinson as being normal, which made her different like a lot of authors tried to accomplish during this time.

Finally, a very distinguishable characteristic of Dickinson's writing style (much like Emerson) was her obsession with nature. She often focused her poems on nature, that represented more than just nature itself. She followed the seasons and wrote about their every-changing beauty, from the snow in winter, flowers in spring, warmth of summer, and crisp air of autumn (McChesney). "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" also shows her love for nature as she describes laying in the grass observing a snake. Although people strongly focused on nature during this time, Dickinson's spin on the concept was widely different with others. She put herself in nature through her writing, which was unique to the time period.

Overall, Dickinson's unique writing style helped set her aside from other writers of the time. She was an infamous "tweener" that helped influence other writers. She made a huge impact to literature with her contribution to literature and nature.

McChesney, Sandra. "A View from the Window: The Poetry of Emily Dickinson." In Harold Bloom, ed. Emily Dickinson, Bloom's BioCritiques. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2002. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.