Emily Dickinson: “The Soul selects her own Society: Poet & Context”

Emily Dickinson was a 19th-century American poet belonging to the romanticism movement. Her work primarily focused on themes of death, immortality and nature.
It is common knowledge that Dickinson lived much of her life in relative seclusion. This fact strongly reflects in the poem, which contemplates the nature of the soul and its preference for solitude.
Dickinson frequently wrote in a unique style, characterized by her use of dashes, uneven lines, and unconventional grammar. These elements can draw the reader’s attention to the nuances and subtleties of her work.
This poem, like many of Dickinson’s verses, deals with the topic of the spiritual self. Dickinson often personifies the soul, delineating its attributes and actions as though it were a living entity separate from physicality.
The 19th-century setting of Emily Dickinson’s life and work may influence one’s analysis of her poetry. The specific social, cultural, and historical backdrop of her time played a significant part in her existential contemplation displayed in her poetry.

Key Concepts

Isolation and introspection: Reinforced by her own life, Dickinson often explores themes of self-imposed isolation and introspection, as evident in how the soul ‘selects her own society’.
Undeniable authority of the soul: The poem strongly implies that the soul is self-sufficient and mighty, disregarding ‘an emperor be kneeling’ in its decision.
The poem’s setting is not explicitly mentioned, further stressing the transcendental nature of the soul which isn’t affected by physical or temporal constraints.
Mystery of the afterlife: A definitive theme in much of Dickinson’s poetry is the enigma surrounding what happens when life ceases, which is subtly hinted in this poem as well.