Here's a breakdown of his influence:
Who was T.W. Higginson?
* Abolitionist: Higginson was a staunch abolitionist, fighting for the end of slavery in the United States. He served as a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War and was a vocal advocate for civil rights.
* Author and Editor: He was a respected author and editor, known for his writings on various subjects including history, literature, and social commentary. He founded and edited the Atlantic Monthly, a prestigious literary magazine.
* Literary Mentor: Higginson was a prominent figure in the American literary scene and became a mentor to many aspiring writers, including Emily Dickinson.
Why did Higginson correct Emily Dickinson's poems?
* Seeking Advice: Dickinson, a reclusive figure, began sending her poems to Higginson in 1862, seeking his opinion and guidance. She admired his literary standing and sought his approval as a professional writer.
* Improving her work: Higginson, while recognizing the uniqueness and power of Dickinson's poetry, suggested changes to her work. He often advised her to make her poems more conventional, adhering to traditional poetic forms and language.
* Bridging the Gap: Dickinson's poems were quite unconventional for the time, employing dashes, unconventional capitalization, and a distinct voice. Higginson attempted to guide her towards a style that would be more easily accepted by the literary establishment.
The Nature of their Relationship:
While Higginson encouraged Dickinson to polish her work, their relationship was more than simply editor-to-author. They maintained a correspondence over many years, discussing literature, life, and even politics.
Important to note:
* Dickinson's Resistance: While Dickinson valued Higginson's opinion, she did not always follow his advice. She often resisted his suggestions, maintaining her own artistic vision.
* The Legacy of Dickinson's Unedited Work: The poems that Dickinson sent to Higginson are often considered her most "polished" work. However, most of her poems, which were only discovered and published after her death, were left unedited and reveal her unique and unconventional style.
In essence, T.W. Higginson was a key figure in Emily Dickinson's literary journey, providing her with guidance and connection to the wider literary world. However, his influence on her poetic style was ultimately limited by her own strong artistic vision and resistance to conventional forms.