Abstract
"Dickinson's Searching Philology" argues that the emphasis critics have placed on manuscript features of Dickinson's poems should be questioned, especially insofar as it relates to trends that value multiple meanings in themselves. After surveying approaches to Dickinson and exploring how some conscientious interpretations nonetheless go awry, the article presents a detailed reading of "A word made flesh" in order to propose a way of reading philologically—focusing on how the poet fleshes out historical meanings of words in idiosyncratic ways, identifying productive ambiguities while expecting the poetry to express interrelated ideas and emotions, and understanding that an ethics of reading includes accountability to some spirit of the work.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
