some important people in Emily's life

Now that we have discussed a couple Emily Dickinson's poems. I would like to go more into her life.  Ms. Dickinson was wrote her poetry before the feminist movement, but still her poetry was about independence, isolation, and self-resilience. (Martin) Emily Dickinson was and will always will be a wonderful role model for all women poets. At the age of seventeen Emily Dickinson found her first of many great mentors. Although Ms. Dickinson did not call them mentors she referred to the as Preceptors. The first one was Benjamin Franklin Newton, followed by Charles Wadsworth,  then Samuel Bowles, and one of Emily's greatest preceptors was Thomas Wentworth Higginson. (Martin) All four men guided and influenced Emily Dickinson with literary support. As a teenager Emily meet Susan Gilbert and they were friends for five decades. Emily referred to Susan as Sue Emily and Susan had a lot of the same interest especially literature. (Martin) Out of all of Emily's family and friends Emily wrote most or her letters or poems to "sister sue" Although Emily and Sue were neighbors Emily still sent letters over to Sue. Here is a poem Emily wrote for Sue,

One Sister have I in our house,

And one, a hedge away.

There's only one recorded,

But both belong to me.

One came the road that I came --

And wore my last year's gown --

The other, as a bird her nest,

Builded our hearts among.

She did not sing as we did --

It was a different tune --

Herself to her a music

As Bumble bee of June.

Today is far from Childhood --

But up and down the hills

I held her hand the tighter --

Which shortened all the miles --

And still her hum

The years among,

Deceives the Butterfly;

Still in her Eye

The Violets lie

Mouldered this many May.

I spilt the dew --

But took the morn --

I chose this single star

From out the wide night's numbers --

Sue - forevermore!

This poem is how although Emily only has one blood sister she also as another sister and how many different thing make a sister hood.   Susan was a very important person. I hope this has given you some more incite to Ms. Emily Dickinson.

Martin, Wendy. The Cambridge Introduction to Emily Dickinson. Cambridge University Press : Publisher, 2007.