Emily Dickinson's feminist response to Scripture as manifested in her poetry and correspondence.

Throughout her life, Emily Dickinson struggled to reconcile her concern for gender with her belief in a patriarchal God and the androcentric (male-centered) Bible. This thesis maintains that Dickinson read against the biblical text (the methodology of today's feminist reader-response theory) to harmonize Scripture with her consideration for gender. By reading against the biblical text, Dickinson retained her belief in Scripture while she expounded in writing her interest in equity for women. With feminist reader-response theory as a foundation, this thesis analyzes Dickinson's gynocentric (female-centered) reading of Scripture. Chapter One ascertains Dickinson's concern for gender in reading and how she fits the criteria for feminist reader-response methodology. Chapter Two determines Dickinson's feminist response to Scripture as manifested in her writing. Finally, Chapter Three establishes Emily Dickinson's emphasis on gender to her female correspondents and her attempt to promote gynocentricity within the androcentric community.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• Barron, Stephanie Kay.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Moore, Andy Johnson, 1932-2020.

• Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886 -- Criticism and interpretation.
• Bible and feminism.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/15006

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/15006