Emily Dickinson’s “They shut me up in Prose” – Kathleen Denvir ’25

“I am very inspired by Dickinson’s work because she was fearless enough to go against society’s expectations of how women should behave,” Kathleen said.  “This poem shows resistance to being shut down by men and expresses feminism because instead of allowing others to turn you away you must fight for yourself.”

“They shut me up in Prose”

Emily Dickinson

They shut me up in Prose –

As when a little Girl

They put me in the Closet –

Because they liked me “still”   –

Still! Could themself have peeped –

And seen my Brain – go round –

They might as wise have lodged a Bird

For Treason – in the Pound –

Himself has but to will

And easy as a Star

Look down upon Captivity –

And laugh – No more have I –

Featured Image by Avery Kim ’24