The public is widely familiar with the Emily Dickinson stereotype--an eccentric spinster in a white dress flitting about her father's house, hiding from all visitors. But these associations are limited and misguided and should be dismantled. This work aims to remove some of the distorted myths about Dickinson in order to clear a path to her poetry. The entries and short essays should open avenues of inquiry for debate and individual critical analysis. This companion to Emily Dickison's poetry gives both instructors and readers multiple avenues for a closer, more accessible study. For instructors, the entries and charts are intended to prompt ideas for classroom discussion and syllabus planning. For readers, whether they are first encountering Dickinson's poems or returning for a fresh course of study, this book aims to inspire interpretative opportunities. The entries and charts should prompt readers to make connections between Dickinson poems, ponder the significance of literary, artistic, historical, political or social contexts, and question the interpretations offered by others as they enter the never-ending debates between Dickinson scholars