The Soul Selects Her Own Society
The Soul Selects Her Own Society - context Summary
Published Posthumously, 1891
Composed during Emily Dickinson’s later, more private years and published posthumously in 1891 in Poems by Emily Dickinson, Second Series, this short lyric presents solitude as an active, sovereign choice. The speaker’s soul chooses one intimate bond and excludes all others, shutting the door on public honors and attention. The poem aligns with Dickinson’s known retreat from social life and her focus on interiority, treating withdrawal not as weakness but as deliberate self-governance and maintenance of inner integrity.
Read Complete AnalysesThe Soul selects her own Society Then shuts the Door To her divine Majority Present no more Unmoved she notes the Chariots pausing At her low Gate Unmoved an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat I’ve known her from an ample nation Choose One Then close the Valves of her attention Like Stone
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