1. Prevalent Theme Topics in Dickinson’s Poetry
Conflict with the church
Lost love and unrequited love
Isolation and being the “other”
Death
Nature

2. Emily Dickinson Biography
PUT THIS ON A NEW SHEET
OF PAPER IN YOUR NOTES!
Open your literature book to page
and read the entirety of Emily Dickinson’s
biography. As you read, write down at
least 10 facts about her life. They should be
facts that you think seem significant and
could possibly influence her poetry.
Purpose: Her work is highly
autobiographical so it is important that
you understand her life.

3. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson Contrast
Whitman had a free flowing style; he used extravagant words.
Dickinson used precise word choice.
Whitman wanted to name feelings.
Dickinson wanted to evoke or stir up feelings in the reader.
Whitman was very sociable and a traveler.
Dickinson was very private and shy; she secluded herself in her house.
Whitman’s fame began when he was a young man.
Dickinson’s fame began posthumously (or after she died).