But Susan is a Stranger Yet: A Re-examination of the Relationship between Emily and Susan Dickinson

Abstract

Perhaps the story of Emily Dickinson's relationship to her sister-in-law has been seen for many years in the same light. It has always been so interesting to conjecture how Emily may have hated, how she may have been disappointed, how she may have betrayed Susan in complicity in Austin’s affair. In reading the poet's words on the subject, however, I was struck by the deep and tragic disservice we have done her and her sister-in-law. Her words do not say that those things happened. Emily's words say that the poet loved Susan as a girl, admired her as a woman, and loved her still as she died. To read them reintroduces Emily Dickinson to us, and, thankfully, re-introduces Susan Dickinson as well. They were women, and they loved.