A Look Back
At the start of this project we recorded our preconceived notions of who Emily Dickinson was and how familiar we were with her poetry. As a way of bringing this journey to a close we thought we would reassess our opinions of Dickinson and her work, reflecting on what it is we have learned through attending these great events.
Jason:
I began this project with one question in mind, “Why Emily Dickinson?!” and after a month and a half of presentations, plays, poetry slams, music, community talks, and chats with event coordinators I think I have found my answer. My answer is this; Emily Dickinson is a strange mystery. Although we have over 1700 poems, and even more manuscripts of letters, and telegraphs she still eludes our understanding. I think this is what made her stand out from her poetic peers during the 19th century. She is shrouded in mystery that people in her time were intrigued by, and almost 150 years later we are still fascinated by her.
Although I am still critical of her poetry, I have an immeasurable respect for her, the impact she has left, and the poets that she has inspired. The example she has made is astounding and awe inspiring. In my mind, Emily’s poetry is important because of the mystery of its author. I feel that I have learned so much, and learned to appreciate more of what I do not know. Because Dickinson is such a mystery that we know so much, and so little, about I feel that what I took away from the Big Read is a rich and overwhelming knowledge of the community that Emily helped create. A community that loves poetry and literature, a community that, I think Emily would agree is much more important than any one author. So in the end I have to say, “Why not Emily Dickinson?!”
Heather:
Originally I knew very little about Emily Dickinson as either a poet or a person. Engaging with the events put on as a part of this year's Big Read has greatly widened my knowledge of Dickinson's legacy. The mystery that surrounds this widely talked about figure has kept me interested in finding out more and more about her, something which will stick with me even though this project has come to a close.
I fell lucky to have learned so much about one literary figure, but still wonder as to why this specific female poet from the 19th century has maintained so much fame while other writers from her time go relatively unknown. Hopefully I have come out of this with the ability to critically think about the debates surrounding an author and how to keep the author connected to their work rather than thinking of them as separate entities.
Jayson:
Coming into this project I had been exposed to Emily Dickinson's work just enough to be intrigued to learn more. I was interested. I was energized by the prospect of engaging her work through a community based effort. I was also engaged by the opportunity to learn that had presented itself. From the very first event, right down to the very last that I had attended, I learned more and more about Emily Dickinson and her writing. I can say, with all honesty, that I now have a deep admiration and love for her writing. I feel that I have gained such an intimacy with her words, and have found them to be incredibly relevant to my life. After enough events, after hearing people read her poems over and over, there was a certain type of pleasure in hearing my favorites-I'm nobody! Who are you? I felt a funeral in my brain. Wild nights - Wild Nights! Time after time, and every time, I learned something new about Emily Dickinson, these lines became saturated with meaning for me. However, what I was most surprised by during the course of this project was the overwhelming community support. People came out, and they came excited and eager to learn. I was surprised in the enthusiasm expressed by individuals who decided to come together in support of reading and literacy initiatives. It was a powerful thing to see faces at more than one event, to become familiar with certain people through these events, and to see the support the Big Read received from the surrounding community. I can't believe I hadn't participated in previous years, and I definitely will encourage underclassmen to go to next year's events.











