The concept of belonging holds great significance and is a fundamental aspect of our existence. Belonging typically arises from personal encounters, one’s sense of identity, relationships, acceptance, and comprehension. It is also found in places where we feel comforted and secure. In today’s presentation, I will introduce you to the poetry of Miss Emily Dickinson and the film adaptation of the Elephant man directed by David Lynch. Through this showcase, my aim is to provide you with a perspective on belonging that goes beyond societal stereotypes, showcasing a genuine sense of belonging known intimately by those who experience it.
Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘my letter to the world’ and the film The Elephant Man both explore the theme of a desire for acceptance. In the poem, Dickinson asks society to judge her tenderly, displaying a yearning for understanding. Similarly, The Elephant Man portrays John Merrick, who suffers from a disfiguring disease, pleading to be recognized as a human rather than an animal. Throughout the film, Merrick is treated as a freak and dehumanized, as exemplified by his involvement in a circus and the use of possessive pronouns like ‘my freak’ and ‘it’. However, as the film progresses, Merrick gains more public attention, resulting in his isolation ward becoming crowded with people eager to see him.
He receives a standing ovation, symbolic of changing attitudes. However, despite Merrick’s sense of belonging to the once degrading society, the film concludes with the idea that true belonging may simply involve being like everyone else. Merrick expresses this sentiment by stating, “I just want to be a human,” as he lies down flat to sleep. Due to his disfigured head, lying flat would suffocate him, but the film ends with him choosing to do so regardless, attempting to prove that he is indeed normal.
Looking back to Dickinson’s poetry, we can observe that, similar to Merrick, she does not wish to be judged. In her letter to the world, which symbolizes a plea to those who exist beyond herself, we sense her desire to be recognized, yet she never quite fits in. This is evident in her somewhat negative tone when she states, ‘that never wrote to me,’ once again highlighting the harsh reality that the world never acknowledged her, leading her to turn away. By employing the contrast between the words ‘this’ and ‘that’ to express different points in time, a strong feeling of distance and isolation emerges – a sense of isolation that clings to her but never appears to dissipate.
Similarly, Dickinson and Merrick express a shared feeling of alienation in their respective works. For instance, Merrick states phrases like ‘I’ve been such a disappointment’ and ‘perhaps now she could love me as I am.’ This sense of detachment from the wider world is what connects both Dickinson and Merrick. Recognizing this common theme, I found it essential to include Lync’s film alongside Dickinson’s poetry in my showcase. Despite their distance from the world, both the film and Dickinson’s poetry convey a sense of solace in what truly matters to them.
Looking at the film, an intriguing use of symbolism is found in its biblical connotations. Despite being physically out of place in a society obsessed with appearances, Merrick finds solace in the book of Psalms when he quotes, “although I walk through the shadow of death, I see no evil for thou art with me.” This Psalm holds great power in our understanding of belonging as it broadens our perspective on what can provide comfort during times of alienation. Merrick finds comfort in the spiritual presence of God, deepening our understanding of belonging. Hence, I deem it important to include these profound ideas.
Similarly, Dickinson also expresses a sense of belonging to something beyond the human realm. This is evident in “my letter to the world,” where she employs personification to emphasize her connection to nature. She describes nature’s news as being communicated to her with “tender majesty,” using affectionate language to convey her bond with nature. This bond is sharply juxtaposed with the harsher words “never” and “judge,” allowing the reader to understand the contrasting benefits offered by nature versus a judgmental world.
The importance of the contrast between alienation and comfort is what made me appreciate its significance in my showcase. Another poem by Dickinson that enhances our understanding of Belonging is “I had been hungry all these years,” which serves as an extended metaphor for her exploration of the world around her, ultimately concluding that it is not right for her. Similar to my letter to the world, Dickinson employs personification in her poetry to symbolize the external world. This can be seen in the phrase “and touched the curious wine,” which emphasizes the foreign and unfamiliar environment, highlighting the disconnect between her world and theirs. Throughout the poem, we observe that she truly belongs to herself and nature, rather than that world. For instance, she describes nature as “nature’s dining room,” using personification to emphasize her comfort and belonging in nature. The poem also explores the idea that when she is in the midst of society, she feels displaced and far from comfortable, comparing herself to a berry from a mountain bush being transplanted onto a road using similes. Overall, I hope my showcase has shed light on various aspects of belonging and highlighted how it is a subjective experience for each individual.In the case of individuals like Merrick, the longing to be ordinary is strong, yet the aspiration to fit in and be part of a community, as depicted in Dickinson’s poetry, might not necessarily yield the desired outcome. This yearning helps us to truly understand the significance of belonging in our lives.
