Going to Heaven!: Key Quotes

Going to Heaven!: Poet & Context

Emily Dickinson lived most of her life in relative seclusion, and her poems often deal with themes of death and immortality. This background should be taken into consideration when interpreting “Going to Heaven!”.
Dickinson never published during her lifetime. Her intensely personal poetry was largely unread until after her death.
Dickinson was well-educated, particularly in the Bible, and her poems often contain complex biblical and literary allusions.
While she was deeply spiritual, Dickinson often questioned traditional religious teachings in her work.
“Going to Heaven!” in particular seems to grapple with the Christian concept of heaven and the afterlife.
Familiarity with Dickinson’s broader body of work can provide useful context for understanding “Going to Heaven!”. Comparing this poem with her other poems around similar themes can provide insight and strengthen interpretation.