English Literature: Critically comment on Emily Dickinson’s obsession with death/ theme of Death.

Wednesday 11 October 2023

Critically comment on Emily Dickinson’s obsession with death/ theme of Death.

    Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and her exploration of themes such as nature, love, and death. One of the most prominent themes in Dickinson's work is the theme of death, which she explores with a sense of fascination and obsession. Dickinson's religious setting is indicated by her religious viewpoint, which forms the source of her obsession with death. Although Dickinson is a pious person who believes in the inexorableness of death and eternal life, she is an eccentric as she is skeptical and inquisitive about the nature of death. In this article, we will critically analysis on Dickinson's obsession with death and the theme of death in her poetry.

Emily Dickinson’s obsession with Death:

    One of the main features of Dickinson's work is her preoccupation with death. Throughout her poetry, she explores the theme of death in a variety of ways, from the physical process of dying to the emotional and spiritual implications of death. Dickinson's fascination with death is evident in the way she uses language, often employing vivid and unsettling imagery to convey the sense of mortality that permeates her work.

You Can also Read: Emily Dickinson’s Treatment of the Theme of Immortality

    One of the reasons for Dickinson's obsession with death may be her own personal experiences with loss and grief. Dickinson lived in a time when death was a constant presence, with high mortality rates and frequent outbreaks of disease. She also experienced a number of personal losses, including the deaths of several close family members and friends. This sense of loss and grief may have contributed to her fascination with death and her exploration of the theme in her poetry.

    Another possible explanation for Dickinson's preoccupation with death is her interest in the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of life. Dickinson was deeply interested in questions of faith and spirituality, and her poetry often explores the idea of death as a transition to another state of being. For Dickinson, death was not simply an end, but a transformation, a journey into the unknown.

You Can also Read: Dickinson’s Attitude Towards Life and Love

    Despite her fascination with death, Dickinson's poetry is not morbid or depressing. Instead, she approaches the theme with a sense of curiosity and wonder, exploring the many facets of death and its implications for the human experience. Her poetry is often marked by a sense of ambiguity, with multiple meanings and interpretations possible, allowing readers to engage with the theme of death in their own way.

    In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's obsession with death and the theme of death in her poetry is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. While her personal experiences with loss and grief may have contributed to her fascination with death, her interest in the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of life also played a significant role. Despite the unsettling imagery and sense of mortality that pervades her work, Dickinson's poetry is ultimately a celebration of life and the human experience, a reminder that even in the face of death, there is beauty, wonder, and meaning to be found.

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