Emily Dickinson Background

After reading a one page biography of Emily Dickinson, I've noticed that she lived most of her life in isolation and wrote poetry probably in her private time. It was noted that she was very close with her intellectual family and was also heavily influenced by Reverend Charles Wadsworth and English Metaphysical poets of the 17th century. I think her Puritan upbringing along with her interest in metaphysical poetry is what will mostly shape Emily Dickinson's poetry.

I found the concept behind metaphysical poetry slightly confusing because it seems like such an abstract, philosophical concept. It shouldn't be considered a genre of poetry, but metaphysical poetry do share common characteristics of wit and religious philosophy. I found the description of metaphysical poetry really interesting because transcends the boundaries of strict and usually one dimensional religious literature. Speaking of strictness, Puritanism is usually associated with discipline and strict moral grounds. However I learned that Puritans were the first to establish a formal education system in America and they also encouraged write poetry with religious content. However, I was wondering whether or not metaphysical poetry would be deemed as too "dreamy" or delusional for strict Puritan beliefs. I think that there are probably different levels and extremes of metaphysical poetry because it's open to wide philosophical questions.

The Book of Revelations were also really confusing to me because there were so many interpretations of what they called prophecies or holy visions which John experienced. There is a common theme of sins, sacrifice, saviors, and overall the revelations are to strengthen your belief in Christ. Perhaps the wide variety of revelations could further inspire Emily Dickinson and metaphysical poets to question reality but not to the extent of existentialism. Metaphysical poetry seems to be focusing more on nature in a religious perspective and what is around you rather than who you are and what your purpose in life is.

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