Ambivalence of the notion of belonging
The notion of belonging is incontrovertibly fundamental to human nature; and as a result, has been
a predominant within the history of literature. One perception regarding this key concept consists of
the fact that a repudiation of social belonging can provoke the establishment of transcendental and
metaphysical relationships. This notion is explored within Dickinson’s poetry as well as Gilman’s ‘The
Yellow Wallpaper’ through the notions of patriarchy, conscious alienation and the establishment of
supernatural relationships; all of which have been represented through the use of carefully chosen
literary forms and features.
Dickinson’s ‘This is my letter to the world’ is a poem which is irrefutably reflective of female
oppression and the resulting transcendental relationships. Dickinson’s rebellion against patriarchy is
clearly conveyed within the quote ‘the world, that never wrote to me’ which uses both
personification and synecdoche within ‘world’ to establish the poet’s sense of disconnection from
her patriarchal society. This is further conveyed through Dickinson’s constant use of absolutes and
powerful declarative statements as reflected through ‘Her message is committed to hands I cannot
see’ which works to portray the insurmountable oppression faced by women. Furthermore, the use
of sycophantic language used in ‘sweet countrymen’ acts as a sarcastic refute of male society. These
notions of patriarchal oppression are also conveyed within a range of other poems, one of which
consists of ‘I gave myself to him’. Within this poem, the poet uses the motif of economic jargon and
the conceit of a contract in order to commodify relationships as conveyed through ‘the solemn
contract of a life’ and ‘this great purchaser’.
In addition to these notion’s of patriarchy, Dickinson also establishes a notion of a transcendental
relationship. This is clearly portrayed within the poet’s quote: ‘The simple news that nature told’.
Through personifying nature, the poet attempts to redefine social barriers through restoring equality
between humanity and nature. Furthermore, the analogous and somewhat ironic reference to
‘simple news’ is a reference to idealistic gender equality present within nature. This relationship with
nature is a common thread within Dickinson’s poetry and is present within ‘I had been hungry all the
years’ through the quote: ‘I had often shared in nature’s dining room’ which once again promotes
equality between the narrator and nature. As a result, Dickinson’s ‘This is my letter to the world’
irrefutably reflects the impacts of patriarchy upon the establishment of transcendental relationships.
Ingratiating
Both Dickinson and Gilman explore the impact of a patriarchal society upon a female protagonist;
referring to it as a catalyst for social exclusion. Dickinson first establishes this notion within ‘This is
my letter to the world’ through the quote: “the world that never wrote to me”. Through the use of
both personification and synecdoche within ‘world’, Dickinson establishes a sense of disconnection
from her patriarchal society. Furthermore, Dickinson’s use of sycophantic language within ‘sweet
countrymen’ acts as a satirical refute of male society. These notions of patriarchy are also conveyed
within Dickinson’s poem ‘I gave myself to him’ in which the motif of economic jargon in association
with the conciet of a contract; work to highlight the power inbalance present within a relationship.
This is clearly conveyed through the quote: ‘The solemn contract of a life was ratified this way’ which
portrays the institutionalised nature of relationships while the use of ‘great purchaser’ is used to
both commodify relationships as well as portrays masculine dominance. Gilman also portrays
patriarchal notions within the Yellow Wallpaper as conveyed through the notion that the wallpaper
‘slaps you in the face, knocks you down, and tramples upon you. Its like a bad dream’. Through
personifying the wallpaper and using it as a metaphor for the patriarchal boundaries present within
society; Gilman portrays the oppressive and contricting influence chauvinism. This is further
conveyed through the quote that ‘My brother ...[says]...I am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I
am well again. Personally, I disagree’ which uses the personal pronoun of I in an attempt to
repudiate masculine ideology. Hence, both Emily Dickinson and Gilman convey the detrimental
impacts of patriarchy.
Both Dickinson and Gilman also represent the notion of conscious isolation. Dickinson conveys this
within the poem ‘I died for beauty but was scarce’
This is further supported through the poet’s reference to ‘sweet countrymen’ in which the use of
sycophantic language highlights female submission to