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Emily Dickinson and Philosophy: Existential Angst, Nature, and the Search for Meaning in a Godless Universe

Sammy Powell

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Published in Emily Dickinson And Philosophy Jed Deppman

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Emily Dickinson, one of America's most enigmatic and celebrated poets, lived a solitary and introspective life. Her writing is characterized by a profound sense of existential angst, a fascination with nature, and a relentless search for meaning in a universe devoid of a traditional God.

Existential Angst

Dickinson's poetry is saturated with a sense of existential dread and uncertainty. She grappled with questions of life, death, and the meaning of existence. In her poem "Because I could not stop for Death," she personifies Death as a formidable coachman who takes her on a solitary journey:

Emily Dickinson and Philosophy

by Jed Deppman

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1006 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	277 pages

Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.

The poem's haunting imagery and the juxtaposition of Death with Immortality convey Dickinson's struggle with the inevitability of death and the unknown that lies beyond. In "I'm Nobody! Who are you?," she expresses a deep sense of alienation and insignificance:

I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there's a pair of us! Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!

Dickinson's poetry reflects a modern existentialist sensibility, exploring the themes of isolation, meaninglessness, and the absurd.

Nature as Refuge and Symbol

In the face of existential angst, Dickinson found solace in nature. Her poems are filled with vivid descriptions of flowers, birds, and the changing seasons. She viewed nature as a sanctuary, a place where she could escape the complexities of human life.

In "A Bird, came down the Walk," Dickinson depicts a bird as a symbol of freedom and escape:

A Bird, came down the Walk – He did not know I saw – He bit an Angleworm in halves And ate the fellow, raw.

The bird's carefree and instinctual behavior represents a contrast to Dickinson's own feelings of isolation and dread. She also used nature as a source of metaphor and symbolism. In "Hope" is the thing with feathers," she compares hope to a bird that sings within her soul, a fragile and yet indomitable force.

The Search for Meaning in a Godless Universe

Dickinson lived in an era of religious skepticism and the decline of traditional beliefs. She rejected the orthodox Christianity of her time, but she did not abandon her quest for meaning. She sought transcendence and connection in nature, art, and the act of writing.

In "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died," Dickinson imagines her own death as an ecstatic moment, a transition into an unknown realm:

I heard a Fly buzz – when I died – The Stillness in the Room Was like the Stillness in the Air – Between the Heaves of Storm –

The Eyes around – had wrung them dry – And Breaths were gathering firm For that last Onset – when the King Be witnessed – in the Room –

Dickinson's poetry suggests that meaning and purpose can be found in the present moment, in the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and in the act of self-expression.

Emily Dickinson's poetry offers a profound exploration of existential angst, the search for meaning, and the role of nature in a godless universe. Her haunting and evocative verse continues to resonate with readers today, providing insight into the fundamental questions of human existence. Dickinson's work challenges us to confront our own mortality, to find solace in the beauty of the natural world, and to seek meaning in the midst of uncertainty.

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