Im Nobody By Emily Dickinson

Polls showing the American’s ability to name the Kardashians but not the three branches of government highlight the population’s obsession with fame. However, Emily Dickinson believes otherwise that fame should not be focused on. Through her poem “I’m Nobody! Who are You?”, Dickinson calls out fame and argues that no attention is better. Emily Dickinson, a recluse, proudly labels herself as nobody through the title. All of Dickinson’s life is sheltered, and a majority of her poems remain unpublished until her death. Dickinson’s isolation from the world allows her to keep the quiet life she prefers. Dickinson’s aversion to being out in public makes her despise attention and fame. The theme of Emily Dickinson’s “I’m Nobody! Who are You?” is that fame is overrated.
Emily Dickinson splits her poem into two
The second stanza has a slight tone shift. While it is still mocking, it has a more hateful tone to it. Being a somebody is “public like a frog” in Dickinson’s mind (Dickinson 6). Frog has a negative connotation. By comparing someone famous to a frog, Dickinson shows that fame is not all positive. Also, Dickinson believes that it is “dreary to be somebody,” because of all the attention from admirers and critics (Dickinson 5). The powerful adjective describing somebody shows that fame is not what people expect it to be. Furthermore, when Emily Dickinson identifies herself as a nobody she uses ethos to support her claim that fame is not good. As the author and the speaker, her word carries a lot of weight. Emily Dickinson’s life also enforces the theme. Dickinson life is secluded from society, by choice, and she rarely has her poems published. The poems she publishes are in local newspapers which keeps her from becoming somebody. Because of living such a reclusive life, Emily Dickinson has her strong beliefs on how obscurity is better than fame. Dickinson compresses her words to show fame’s dark