EMILY DICKINSON.

↬ She is remembered for her unique poetry. Emily was born on 10th December 1830, in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts.  Her family were pillars of the local community; their house known as “The Homestead” or “Mansion” was often used as a meeting place for distinguished visitors. Since she was a child, she showed of having a high intelligence. In addition, she used to have a passion and a talent for writing. A crucial issue at the time was the issue of religion, which to Emily was the “all important question”. The Calvinist approach to religion believed that men were inherently sinful and most humans were doomed to hell. There was only a small number who would be saved, and this could only be achieved by the adherent proclaiming his faith in Jesus Christ, as the true Saviour. Emily always had ''her'' view towards the matter of religion: she never accepted the doctrine of ''original sin''. Emily was a bright student, but after a ersistent cough developed, her father decided to remove her from college and bring her back home. Thus she left without any formal qualifications, but she had at least been able to broaden her education and vocabulary. Emily used to wear white dresses. However, Emily was both a keen artist and accomplished musician. In her college years, she enjoyed singing; referring to the similarities between poetry and singing. She also had a sharp eye for beautiful art; this visual sense and her appreciation of bright colours is evident in many of her poems. On returning home from college, Emily Dickinson learnt much of the domestic chores, helping her mother with cleaning, sewing and entertaining. Because of her discomfort and shyness in social situations, Emily gradually reduced her social contacts, going out less and less into society. By her late twenties, this has led to an almost complete seclusion; spending most of her time in the family house, rarely meeting others from outside a close family circle. Her sister explains this wasn’t a sudden decision, but a gradual process that happened over a period of time. As well as writing over 1,700 poems, Emily was a prolific letter writer; these letters giving her the opportunity for contact with others.She died at 55 from Bright’s disease, which is caused by kidney degeneration. Her doctor suggested that the accumulation of stress throughout her life contributed to her premature death.