Here's why:
* Limited Publication During Her Lifetime: Dickinson only published a handful of poems during her life, and even then, often anonymously or under pseudonyms. She was a recluse and chose to live a private life, which contributed to her obscurity.
* Unique Style: Her unconventional style, with its dashes, unconventional grammar, and unconventional rhyme schemes, was considered unusual and even jarring by many critics at the time.
* Rediscovery by Her Sister: It was her sister, Lavinia, who discovered Dickinson's collection of poems after her death and began to share them with the world.
* Recognition and Legacy: Dickinson's unique voice and intensely personal themes gradually gained recognition. Her poetry became increasingly celebrated, and she is now considered one of the most important American poets.
It took time for the world to understand and appreciate the brilliance of her work. Her fame was a posthumous one, built upon a life of quiet creativity and unconventional expression.