Feminism: Heaney and Dickinson Feminist

Feminism: Heaney and Dickinson

Feminist literary criticism emerges from the feminist movement that arose in the United States during the 1960s. As a literary theory, feminism became dominant during the 1970s. In general, feminist theory focuses on how language is used in literature in order to describe and delineate the role of the woman and her position in society. As such, feminist theory lends itself well to the interpretation of poems such as "I cannot live with you" by Emily Dickinson, and "Punishment" by Seamus Heaney.

Dickinson's poem echoes her self-selected seclusion from society at large. Seen from a feminist point-of-view, this seclusion is chosen as the only option against complete dominance and personality annihilation in a world dominated by men. As such, the poem also describes her impossible love. Dickinson does not deny the existence of her love. But she does deny that such a love can be allowed in her world if she is to realize her true potential as a woman, and not as a housewife. This is delineated by the progression of her poem (Academy of American Poets). For Dickinson, love is as impossible as the life taken for granted by most members of society. Because society compromises the value of the woman, it is allowed the life of domesticity and life. The speaker however remains forever beyond this because she chooses self-realization instead.