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Analysis Study Research Paper | English Language and Literature | India | Volume 12 Issue 11, November 2023

Dickinsonian Cynical View of Marriage in 'I'm "Wife" - I've Finished That-'

Arunava Roy

Abstract: Emaly Dickinson, one of the mostprolific American poets, through her brilliant use of slant rhyme, unconventional capitalization, punctuation as well as obscure short lines portrays an extremely complicated approach regarding marriage in the poem "I'm"wife"-I've finished that-". The poem is written from a female perspective. According to the pre - conceived notion of the patriarchal society, a girl becomes a full woman after she has gone - through a legal marriage procedure. Dickinson in an underlying sarcastic tone mocks this traditionalism. The woman's identity is compartmentalized into two district stages - wifehood and girlhood, seen from the 'safety' and 'comfort' of wifely identity, girlhood is depicted as a state of 'soft eclipse'. How potently does the phrase 'soft eclipse' communicate that cushioned banality she envisages in marriage! Dickinson finishes the poem in an optimistic manner stating that marriage should not be compared because she is a "wife" and her thoughts should stop there. Her anti - marriage view is crystalized in subtle image "stop there"! suggesting the termination of a woman's independence in marriage. Dickinson through her simplistic languages mocks the traditional society by going against the complete woman concept. Dickinson is a playing feminist. Through her curious sense of impish humor and slippery semantics, she satirizes the patriarchal society.

Keywords: Girlhood, self - identity, banality, eclipse, patriarchal authoritarian voice

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 11, November 2023,

Pages: 183 - 184