Criticism

As early as 1891, William Dean Howells wrote that "If nothing else had come out of our life but this strange poetry we should feel that in the work of Emily Dickinson, America, or New England rather, had made a distinctive addition to the literature of the world, and could not be left out of any record of it."

Dickinson has been placed alongside Walt Whitman, Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost, T. S. Eliot and Hart Crane as a major American poet.

Almost unknown as a poet in her lifetime, Emily Dickinson is now recognized as one of the greatest poets of all time.

Feminist critics see her as a victim of patriarchy in general or her father in particular; gender critics find homosexuality in her life and writings.

Northrup Frye points out, "It would be hard to name another poet in the history of the English language with so little interest in social or political events." She lived through the Civil War, yet her poems contain no clear references to that national horror" (Sewall 10).

Mr. Conrad Aiken said, “It is apparent that Miss Dickinson became a hermit by deliberate and conscious choice.”

Allen Tate said, “All pity for Miss Dickinson’s “starved life” is misdirected.” “Her life was one of the richest and deepest ever lived on this continent” (Sewall 19-20).

Marxist Theory Response (pg. 102, poem 223)

I Came to buy a smile-today-

But just a single smile-

The smallest one upon your face

Will suit me just as well-

The one that no one else would miss

It shone so very small-

I’m pleading at the “counter”-sir-

Could you afford to sell-

I’ve Diamonds-on my fingers-

You know what Diamonds are?

I’ve Rubies- like the Evening Blood-

And Topaz-like the star!

‘Twould be “a Bargain” for a Jew!

Say-may I have it-Sir?

Marxist theory consists of political, social, and economic views and concepts of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Marxist critics believe that class struggles and roles play an important part in understanding oppression. Marxist critics focus on the unequal rights or privileges between the rich and the poor.

            This poem implies that no matter how rich or poor you are, you can not buy happiness or a smile. From a Marxist perspective I could argue money can buy you love, but it can buy you sex. Meaning that a wealthy woman could have afforded to visit a doctor as well as benefit from medication such ad anti-depressants such as ecstasy or amphetamines, which were commonly prescribed for short term use in Dickinson’s era. Lower or middle class people may not have had the same opportunity to seek help. Wealthy people have more possibilities whereas the poor have financial restrictions. Money isn’t everything but it sure makes life easier.

Feminist Theory Response (pg. 29, poem 53)

Taken from men –this morning-

Carried by men today-

Met by the Gods with banners-

Who marshalled her away-

One little maid-from play mates

One little mind from school-

There must be guests in Eden-

All the rooms are full-

Far-at the East from Even-

Dim-as the border star-

Courtiers quaint, in Kingdoms

Our departed are.

Feminist theory refers to the beliefs that women are treated unequally from men.   Feminists believe that women should to receive equal treatment socially, politically, and economically.   Feminists believe that women are still treated as subordinates to men.

            Some people may think that this poem portrays men as superior to women. For instance in the first stanza it says, “marshalled her away.” This word choice gives me the idea that these men were viewed as officials and they were in charge of the event. I imagine the men leading “her” away. In the second stanza it refers to “her” as a maid. This term may seem ambiguous if you do not know any thing about Emily Dickinson. A maid could be easily mistaken for a servant or an employee. Instead the term maid was used in this poem to define a young unmarried woman such as herself.