Verses Through Thorns: An Archetypal Interpretation of Trauma in Emily Dickinson's Poetry

Abstract

Emily Dickinson, a renowned American poetess, authored nearly two thousand poems, embodying her legendary life through themes rich in emotion and complexity. Trauma, manifesting in various forms from her childhood to her reclusive later years, pervades Dickinson's secretive existence. Her poetry, marked by a profound personal touch, weaves the pain of loss, social isolation, unrequited love, physical suffering, and existential quandaries into metaphoric and symbolic language. Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung posited the existence of a collective unconscious in the human psyche, comprising universal symbols and motifs known as "archetypes", which subconsciously influence the poet's comprehension of trauma, thereby revealing themselves in her intricately profound verses. This paper explores the symbolic elements and manifestations of Dickinson's inner trauma through three classic archetypes— the Shadow, the Magician, and the Hero's Journey— examining how these archetypes' themes and symbols relate to her personal trauma experiences, thereby delving into the poet's psyche as she confronts trauma, seeking self-healing and personal growth.