Dickinson - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to be a great writer and to live a life of truth and passion, unbound by societal norms. This is fueled by her intense love for Sue Gilbert. Initially, she seeks external validation, but her motivation evolves to finding fulfillment in the act of creation itself, realizing her legacy doesn't require contemporary fame.

Emily begins Season 1 as a passionate but frustrated teenager, fighting against her family's expectations and seeking an outlet for her genius. In Season 2, she confronts the complex allure of fame, initially desiring it but ultimately retreating from the public eye to protect her artistic soul. By Season 3, set during the Civil War, her arc culminates in a mature understanding of her purpose. She's no longer just writing for herself or for Sue, but grappling with how art can provide hope in a broken world, fully embracing her secluded life not as a prison, but as the necessary space for her monumental work.

Sue's motivation is complex, evolving from a desire for security and social standing to a deep, unwavering need to be the sole, intimate audience for Emily's genius. She is driven by a profound love for Emily, even when her actions seem to betray it. Ultimately, her greatest motivation is to protect and be close to Emily's truest self.

Sue starts as Emily's passionate lover and intellectual equal, an orphaned girl seeking stability. Her marriage to Austin at the end of Season 1 marks a turning point, creating a painful distance between her and Emily. In Season 2, she transforms into a wealthy socialite, attempting to shape Emily's career by pushing her toward fame, which causes friction. By Season 3, after the birth of her child and the turmoil of her marriage, she fully reconciles with Emily, shedding her social ambitions to become the devoted reader and loving partner Emily always needed, creating a domestic and emotional sanctuary for their relationship.

His motivation is rooted in maintaining his family's reputation and upholding the conservative values of his time. He loves his children but believes he knows what is best for them, which often clashes with their desires for independence and self-expression. His actions are driven by a mixture of patriarchal duty and a genuine, protective fear for his family's future.

Edward is initially presented as a stern, traditional patriarch who disapproves of Emily's writing and public ambition. He represents the societal forces holding her back. However, throughout the series, his character is softened, revealing a deep, if awkwardly expressed, love for his daughter. He builds her a conservatory and shows moments of pride in her intelligence. His arc is one of gradual, albeit incomplete, understanding. In Season 3, facing his own mortality and family divisions, he begins to see the value in Emily's unique path, even if he can't fully comprehend it.

Initially, Vinnie is motivated by a desire for marriage and social acceptance. As the series progresses, her motivation shifts to a yearning for personal fulfillment and sexual liberation. She wants to experience life on her own terms, a goal that proves difficult for a woman of her time and ultimately aligns her more closely with Emily's rebellious spirit.

Vinnie begins as a seemingly conventional girl, obsessed with finding a husband and adhering to social norms, acting as a comic foil to Emily. However, her arc shows a gradual awakening. Frustrated by the lack of suitable men and the limitations on women, she explores her own forms of rebellion, from scandalous relationships to avant-garde performance art in Season 3. She evolves from a boy-crazy teenager into a proto-feminist artist in her own right, ultimately becoming a fierce protector of Emily's legacy.