Super Short Summary

Emily Dickinson by Cynthia Griffin Wolff is a literary biography exploring the relationship between Dickinson’s life and her poetry, offering interpretations of her poems and addressing the influential New England environment she lived in. Wolff debunks myths about Dickinson, portraying her as a sociable, witty, and devoted daughter who rejected societal and religious pressures to create her poetic work. The book also delves into her relationships, particularly with her family, friends, and a few significant men, highlighting her strong-willed nature and rebellious spirit. The narrative covers themes of death, religion, and the limitations of women in the 19th century.