In “Vesuvius at Home: The Power of Emily Dickinson,” Adrienne Rich deconstructs popular portrayals of Emily Dickinson and mainstream interpretations of her poetry, revealing the patriarchal attitudes underlying much of the existing scholarship on Dickinson. Rich relies upon historical contextualization in combination with literary devices such as anecdote, imagery, and allusion to support her alternative interpretation of Dickinson’s poetry and conception of Dickinson’s character. Through the specific case of Dickinson, Rich constructs an argument for feminist re-readings of old texts, particularly those of women writers, suggesting that women can provide insight into the thought processes of other women.

Though Rich critiques some of her contemporaries, this essay is not simply a rebuttal of their misguided interpretations. Rich’s conversational tone and language indicate that she intended this essay to reach a broader public beyond the halls of academia where the essay’s concept originated. It is clear, however, that she originally wrote this essay for the audience of a university lecture, as Rich poses questions repeatedly throughout the essay, refusing to give away all of her answers but rather allowing the reader to make connections alongside her.