"Hope is worth every fight."
Dickinson - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Death's Carriage
Symbolizes Emily's unique relationship with mortality and her poetic journey toward immortality. It is a space of creative freedom and surreal contemplation, where she can escape the confines of her life and discuss her legacy with a personified Death.
Appears from the very first episode and recurs throughout the series. Emily takes rides with Death (Wiz Khalifa) in his carriage, where he courts her, offers her advice, and assures her of her future fame, directly referencing her poem "Because I could not stop for Death."
The White Dress
Represents Emily's ultimate transformation into her purest artistic self, a uniform that signifies her rejection of societal expectations and her full embrace of her identity as a poet. It is a symbol of both her seclusion and her creative freedom.
The idea of Emily's iconic white dress is introduced in the final episode of the series, "This was a Poet –". Death encourages her to find an outfit that feels true to her poetic self, leading her to design the simple, practical dress that allows her to write without constraint, cementing her legendary image.
Nobody
"Nobody" symbolizes the power of anonymity and the freedom from the pressures of fame. For Emily, being a "Nobody" is not a failure but a conscious choice to protect her artistic integrity and private self from the corrupting influence of the public sphere.
The concept is central to Season 2, where Emily grapples with the possibility of publication. She is haunted by a ghostly character named "Nobody" (Will Pullen), a physical manifestation of her fears of being exposed and misunderstood. He quotes her poem "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" and advises her that her strength lies in her private genius.
Philosophical Questions
What is the relationship between art and social change?
This question is central to the third season. As the Civil War rages, Emily is tormented by the feeling that her poetry is useless in the face of such violence and injustice. She asks, "Can a poem stop a bullet?" The season explores her journey from this point of despair to a belief in art's power to provide hope, preserve memory, and heal division. Characters like Walt Whitman and the abolitionist Henry argue for direct action, while Emily ultimately concludes that her role as a poet is to "tell the story," ensuring that the emotional and human truths of her time are not forgotten.
Does an artist need an audience to have purpose?
This is the primary philosophical conflict of Season 2. Emily is obsessed with the idea of fame and being published, believing it will validate her work. However, the process nearly destroys her, as she fears being misunderstood and losing control of her poems. The series explores the idea that the desire for an audience can be a corrupting influence. Ultimately, the show argues that true artistic purpose is intrinsic. Emily finds peace when she decides to write for an audience of one: Sue. Her legacy proves that a work's value is not determined by its reception during the artist's lifetime.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of "Dickinson" is a celebration of rebellion against conformity and the timeless power of art to create one's own reality. The series argues that a visionary artist's inner world is a universe unto itself, capable of transcending the limitations of their time and society. By blending historical fact with modern anachronisms, creator Alena Smith posits that Emily Dickinson was not a lonely, timid recluse, but a radical, passionate, and queer thinker whose consciousness was far ahead of her era. The show's ultimate message is that true artistic expression is an act of defiance, and that a legacy is not defined by contemporary fame but by the enduring truth and authenticity of one's voice, which can find its audience centuries later.