Ella’s CS for March 23rd

As our class transitions from reading Dickinson’s letters to her poems, I’ve noticed a lot of parallels, specifically with how she writes about Susan in both forms of writing.  When Susan goes away, Dickinson often turns to nature as a way to cope with her loneliness.  As we know, Dickinson has a deep love for nature, she loves everything from flowers and hills, to bumble bees and robins.  She creates symbolism in her poetry to represent Susan.  For example, in the lines, “And in her Eye/The Violets lie” (20-21) from Poem 5 (21), the reference to violets are also mentioned in “Letter 94.”  In the letter she writes, “Dear Susie, I have tried hard to think what you would love, of something I might send you—I at last saw my little Violets, they begged me to let them go…” (90-91) The parallels between the poem and letter represent Dickinson’s preference of violets for Susan.  Whether violets were Susan’s favorite flower, or whether Dickinson preferred them for Susan—it is clear they become part of Susan’s identity.   In Poem 5, there is also a reference of the spring and summer months being happy times for Susan and Dickinson.  For example, in the lines: “Herself to her a music/As bumble bee of June” (11-12) and “The Violets lie/Mouldered this many May” (21-22), they imply happy times Susan and Dickinson have spent together.  These references are also included in Dickinson’s letters.  For example, in “Letter 77,” Dickinson writes about July, “I view July so differently from what I used to—once it seemed parched and dry—and I hardly loved it…but now Susie, month of all the year best; I skip the violets—and the dew…I will exchange them all for that angry and hot noonday…” (79)  In addition, in Poem 5, Dickinson reflects on how time flies when they are together: “But up and down the hills/I held her hand the tighter—/Which shortened all the miles—” (14-16) In contrast, when Dickinson and Susan are not together, the time feels slow and exhaustive for Dickinson.  For example, in “Letter 94” Dickinson writes, “I shall grow more and more impatient until that dear day comes, for till now, I have only mourned for you; now I begin to hope for you” (90).  The sadness Dickinson feels when she is apart from Susan is often mentioned in relation to the night.  For example, whenever Dickinson misses Susan, she would look up at the sky and wish for her company.  In “Letter 94”, Dickinson writes, “I walked home with Mattie beneath the silent moon, and wished for you…” (88).  Dickinson looking at the night and wishing for Susan is represented in Poem 5 as well: “I chose this single star/From out the wide night’s numbers” (25-26).  The symbolism of the night suggests that this is the loneliest time for Dickinson, and a time where she reflects about the one she misses. 

Overall, I’ve enjoyed the introduction to Dickinson’s poems! I am curious to find any other parallels between her letters and poems in regards to her relationships and beliefs.