[Sue] In the years of the Civil War,
Emily Dickinson reached her greatest heights as a poet.
She wrote furiously in those years,
at a pace and intensity unmatched before or after--
nearly a poem a day.
Her work of this period has been called
"a great and classic descent into a personal inferno."
Yet, due to her life of seclusion,
Dickinson has not traditionally been considered a "war poet."
Most people do not think of Emily Dickinson
as a voice with the power to speak for a nation.
[explosion]
[soldiers shouting]
[grunts]
[horse whinnying]
[yells, grunts]
Over here!
["Introvert" playing]
[grunts]
♪ The kingdom's on fire The blood of a young messiah ♪
♪ I see sinners in a church I see sinners in a church ♪
♪ Sometimes I might be introvert ♪
♪ There's a war inside I hear battle cries ♪
♪ Mothers burying sons Young boys playing with guns ♪
♪ The devil's a liar Fulfill your wildest desires ♪
♪ Alone, but not lonely ♪
♪ Your truth unveils with time ♪
♪ As you embark on a journey Of what it takes to be a woman ♪
[man] Yes, fondly do we hope, and fervently do we pray,
that this scourge of war may pass speedily away.
[bird chirping]
Yet the Almighty has his own purposes,
and the judgments of the Lord are always true and righteous.
So let us strive on.
Let us bind up this nation's wounds.
And let us mourn this brave young man who gave his life for this country.
Excuse me.
Brave young man?
Yes. That's what I said.
But this isn't a soldier. This is my sister.
I beg your pardon, madam?
We're here for the funeral of my beloved sister,
Lavinia Norcross Norcross.
She married our cousin.
There must be some mistake.
No, the mistake is yours, Reverend.
Can we please carry on with the service and bury our dead in a respectful manner?
-I am terribly sorry. -Yes.
I have no more time for the funeral of some old woman.
-[people gasp] -Uh--
There are 15 noble Union men to bury today,
-valiant warriors who have sacrificed all… -Ah--
-for the cause of the Constitution. -Ah, ye--
And I am running way behind schedule.
[sobbing]
[huffs, sighs]
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen."
Moving on.
[murmuring]
That was the shortest funeral I've ever been to.
It was awful. Just awful.
And we came all the way to Boston.
-I'm going to write a letter. -[crying] My poor, beloved sister Lavinia.
[crying] Aunt Vinnie. I was named after you. [sniffles]
Hey, everyone. Look.
-[chirping] -Bird is talking to us.
Oh, Emily, please. Not now.
[chirping continues]
[Edward] Let's go fetch the carriage. We have a long ride home.
We don't want to get stuck behind a parade.
Another parade?
Yes. All those boys going off to join the fighting.
Civil War ruins everything.
-Go on. -[chirping continues]
Don't stop.
[Lavinia] Emily.
Come fetch the carriage!
[chirping continues]
[horses whinnying]
Oh, God, we have so much to catch up on.
Like this bird I just saw.
This little bird just landed on Aunt Lavinia's coffin.
It was like a… hmm, a symbol or a-- a-- a metaphor.
It was like a message from Aunt Lavinia herself, telling me to keep writing,
to keep shining a light in the darkness and to never give up hope.
Death, are y--
-Are you okay? [chuckles] -No.
I feel like shit.
Oh, no. What's wrong?
[sighs] It's this damn war.
It's just dragging on and on, and it's taken all the fun out of my work.
I used to have so much fun coming up with creative ways to kill people.
This person will fall off a bridge.
This fool will drink a little poison.
These two kill each other out of love.
But now it's just the same thing over and over again.
Bullet, gangrene.
-Bullet, gangrene. -Mm-hmm.
It's so repetitive.
[sighs] I think I'm depressed.
Wow.
So even Death has bad days.
Emily…
-I need some advice. -Advice?
Yeah, that's what I'm here for. I need your help.
Okay, yes. Ask me-- Ask me anything.
-So you write poems. -Yep. That's right.
-Brilliant ones. -Hmm.
-Unique ones. -Thank you.
-Very inspired. -[scoffs]
Even though you live a pretty uneventful life.
Uneventful? I-- I--
I'm not sure that's… [chuckles] …the case.
I mean, come on now. Your life's pretty boring.
You barely leave your little town.
You still live in your dad's crib.
Every day is pretty much the same, but you still stay inspired.
Where do you get that fire from?
Well…
while I'm here,
I want to do something that matters.
And I mean something that really matters.
It's bigger than fame or money.
It's about actually changing people's lives.
It's about helping them heal.
Helping them survive.
[chuckles]
I want to be that little bird.
That source of light in the darkness.
I want to give people hope.
Hope. Hmm.
I believe poetry can be powerful.
Even more powerful than you.
[snickers]
I mean it.
Death can tear people apart. Poetry can put them back together again.
So what you're saying is…
I inspire you.
Always.
[Edward exhales deeply]
Home again, home again. Thank God we're home again.
-[groans] -It was a lovely funeral.
It was not. Stop gaslighting me.
It was a fiasco. Your mother's right.
I've been more ceremonious while swatting a fly.
What the minister said doesn't matter.
I could feel Aunt Lavinia's spirit there. I could.
I could-- I could-- I could feel it.
Mom, you know she always told us to find the light.
Right? And to move towards joy and hope.
[whispers] Hope.
I need a pencil.
If Aunt Lavinia's spirit was there, why didn't she contact me?
Emily, don't upset your mother.
I'm not. [stammers] I'm just trying to help. Mom…
Where the hell was Austin?
-Can't make it to the funeral of his aunt? -Hope is…
-Hope is a Bird… No, that's… -[Edward] Ugh! It's disrespectful.
It's embarrassing. I could hear those Boston gossips whispering to each other.
He's let us down again.
-Leave him alone, Edward. -No.
-I won't lower my expectations for my son. -[knocks]
-Someone's here. -I'll get it.
His behavior is getting worse and worse. He's drinking all the time.
-I can't bear it. -It is what it is.
No. I will not stand by and watch this boy disintegrate.
-Especially when, as we all know… -Sue.
…his wife is about to have a baby.
[breathes heavily] Waddled over here like a bloody walrus.
You're a cute walrus.
Come in.
-Emily, who's here? -It's Sue.
-[Sue exhales deeply] -Oh, nice of her to show up.
How was the funeral?
Horrendous, Sue. And so kind of you to make it.
I was ready to go this morning. Your carriage never came to get me.
We assumed that you'd be taking your own carriage with Austin.
Well, Austin arrived home late last night.
And this morning, he was indisposed.
Ugh. Unacceptable.
I'm-- I'm very sorry to have missed it.
Oh, thank you, Sue.
I didn't know Aunt Lavinia that well, but I, um-- I always admired her.
Everyone did. She was iconic.
How are you feeling, Sue?
-Oh. [chuckles] -You look as though you're ready to pop.
Yeah, I'm definitely at the point where, uh, this isn't fun anymore.
-Mm-hmm. -Can I get you something? Water? Any--
I'd actually love to lie down.
I-- I know it's a short walk between our two houses,
but I feel like I climbed a mountain.
I'm sure. Well, let's get you upstairs so you can rest.
-[Sue] Yeah. -No, that's rude.
You both need to stay down here and say hello to our guests.
Well, I really--
She'll just rest for a little bit, and we'll be ready to entertain.
She's missed the funeral. The least she can do is be here for the reception.
I'd say the same of Austin, but where the hell is he?
Edward, it is a woman's job
to make sure everybody else is happy at all times no matter the cost.
I'm sorry, but that simply doesn't apply to men.
Sue has every right to feel tired.
-Just look at her. -I don't care if she's the size of Kansas.
Mmm, thanks.
Oh, come on. Everybody loves Kansas.
It just became a state.
I'll take you upstairs. We'll rest a li-- Mom, I'll be right back.
-Let's just get you… -[Mrs. Dickinson sighs]
How was the funeral?
[sobbing] Oh, God.
[chuckles]
I can't stay long, okay?
My mom really needs me.
Well, I need you too.
It's hard to believe we used to fit into this tiny bed.
-Well, now there are three of us. -Almost.
[sighs]
Sue, Sue…
[sighs]
You know I really want to make out with you right now?
But… you're having my brother's baby.
So what? That doesn't change anything.
I only love you.
Look, it-- It was an accident.
-It was stupid. It never even would've-- -No. I don't even want to know.
Emily, listen to me.
I love you.
I will always love you.
And this baby is going to love you too.
Pregnancy makes you hotter. It's kind of messed up.
Do you feel this?
Hmm?
[chuckles]
[whispers] Wow.
It's a whole little person in there.
Coming so soon.
Are you scared?
No. Not at all.
This whole time I've been pregnant,
I have just felt this-- this strange sense of peace.
Peace?
In the middle of a war?
I'm honestly as happy as I've ever been.
Except I wish this baby was yours.
I mean, I--
[sighs] I wish it belonged to you and me, together.
Why can't a baby have two mothers? I…
I would like to live in a little house, just us,
and raise this baby together.
Well, I never wanted children.
I mean, I already have so many.
My poems are my children.
Boy, do they take all the energy I have, feeding them, helping them grow.
[gasps] I got a whole burst of poetry at Aunt Lavinia's funeral today.
I-- Oh! I've got to write this down.
Hope, hope. Hope is a… Hope is a Bird…
[writing]
Hope is a… a little Thing.
[exhales deeply]
I hope this baby comes soon. [sighs]
I suppose you won't have as much time for my poems once the baby comes.
Emily, that isn't true.
I will always have time for your poems.
I promise.
Well, in that case, I guess I can try and make a little time for your baby.
Oh, would you?
Just-- Just a little?
I just hope this kid looks like you and not Austin.
-[door slams] -[Austin] Hey, everyone. I'm home.
-[sighs] Oh, God. He's here. -[Maggie] Welcome home, Mr. Austin.
I cannot deal with him.
I should probably go downstairs.
Would you just--
Won't you come and kiss me, please?
Mom. I'm sorry.
-Austin, where were you? -I overslept. I'm an asshole.
But I-- I got you flowers.
Well, I forgive you, and I still love you unconditionally.
Austin, could you join me in my office?
Yeah, I guess so.
But, Dad, keep in mind my head is killing me.
[Mrs. Dickinson] Maggie, please put these in some water.
-Quite a loud bouquet, isn't it? -Oh, yes. So thoughtful of him.
I may have lost a sister, but I still have a perfect son.
I'm going to be honest with you, Austin. I'm troubled.
I'm deeply troubled.
Stomach problems again? You got the runs?
Could you be serious for a moment, please?
Diarrhea is pretty serious, Dad.
Austin, I don't want to turn this into another scuffle between us.
But I need you to understand that I'm frightened.
-Hmm? -Mm-hmm.
No, your behavior. My God, man.
The-- The-- The drinking, the womanizing…
I'm watching you turn into my father in his darkest days.
Look, look.
I understand sometimes a man needs to blow off a little steam.
-Hmm? -[scoffs]
I've even had fun once or twice myself.
But your situation--
You're not a child anymore.
Austin, you're about to become a father.
I don't even know if that baby's mine.
[sighs, grunts]
[Edward grunting]
-Dad, are you okay? -Yes.
[breathing heavily] I'm fine, Emily. I'm fine.
-It's nothing. -[knocks]
-There's someone here. Um-- -[mouthing] Okay.
It's nothing.
-I'll get it. -Okay.
Ooh. [breathing heavily]
Betty! Welcome. Come in.
I brought your mother's new funeral bonnet.
-Oh, she'll be happy to hear that. -Mmm.
Or not happy, but whatever the appropriate emotion for a funeral bonnet is.
It has the weeping veil attached, as she requested.
I'm sorry it's a few days late.
There's been such a run on black crepe. Widows everywhere these days.
I swear I can't remember what it's like when a woman just looks happy.
I feel pretty happy today.
Which I-- I know is strange.
Didn't you just bury your aunt?
Yeah.
Yeah, but that's-- That's the thing.
See, I felt like I connected to Aunt Lavinia at the graveyard.
Like she was sending me a message.
And that message was, "Be cheerful. Give people hope."
Mmm.
That is strange.
[murmuring] I know.
[inhales sharply] Have you heard any word lately from Henry?
No. Not for weeks.
-Oh, but he writes to you so faithfully-- -To Helen.
He writes to Helen. And it means everything to her.
But it's been a month without a word.
Helen is beside herself.
I almost want to write her a letter myself and pretend it's from Henry,
just so she doesn't cry herself to sleep every night.
Betty, listen to me.
Henry will be okay.
He'll survive. Okay?
Another letter will come.
Brighter days are on the horizon, I'm telling you.
We must keep hope alive.
I thought poets… [chuckling] …were supposed to avoid clichés.
Now, shall I deliver this to your mother?
-Whew. -Yes, she's just in the kitchen.
It's time to bring the tea cakes into the parlor, Mrs. D.
Yes. And-- And the spoons need polishing. The spoons!
She's not responding to the urgency of the situation.
Mom, Betty's here. She brought your new bonnet.
Oh, who cares about bonnets?
Wow. She's in bad shape.
I'm in despair.
-[sighs] -I'm in abject, bottomless despair.
You still have a bottom, madam.
And you need to get it out of that chair.
Mom. Listen to me.
Aunt Lavinia always told us we have to do what we love, and you love serving tea.
-No one's gonna show up. -That's not true.
Why should they come?
[crying] What meaning can the death of an older lady have
when brave young men are perishing every minute?
Okay, they might not care about Aunt Lavinia.
But I told them all that there would be scones.
We're here.
Where's the coffin?
Come on in. Here.
More bad news today from Virginia.
They sunk two Union warships.
[sighs] I can't even read the news anymore, I swear to God.
This war just does not end.
I know. It's, like, when do we get to go back to normal?
I'm afraid we may never go back to normal.
Or perhaps this is normal now.
A new normal.
Yeah. This normal sucks.
So, it's been two years since my husband died,
so I think my deep mourning phase is, like, over.
So I need to replace all my grays and black with some color.
What do you think?
If you're asking me to make you a dress,
you should know I won't get to your order for weeks.
-I'm so backed up at the shop. -I figured.
Everybody needs mourning clothes.
Yep. Business is booming.
This whole war just came out of nowhere.
I'm not sure about that. It was pretty clear we were headed in a bad direction.
Yeah, duh.
Since, like, the founding of the country.
I just don't understand why this has to be happening in our 20s.
We could be having so much fun.
Yes, it's true.
My God, if this would have happened to me in my 20s…
I would have killed myself.
It's always the hot ones who die. Do you notice that?
Like, can't the Lord take someone I'm not attracted to?
[laughing]
Uh, Vinnie, that reminds me.
Super sad news.
-What's up? -Joseph Lyman is dead.
[shrieks, gasps]
[pants]
Sorry, what?
I-I was at the general store, and someone got a telegram about it.
I guess he got shot in a battle down in New Orleans.
But Joseph Lyman? [crying] Gone from this world forever?
[gasps] Oh, God, this can't be true.
Jane, I loved him.
Babe, I get it.
-I'm a widow. -[Lavinia] No.
I am a widow. A widow a thousand times over.
[breathes shakily] Ship is gone and now Joseph too?
Do you guys realize every boy I ever kissed is dead?
You did more than kiss them, honey.
[gasps]
Mom?
[sighs] What's wrong, Mom? Can I help?
It's just as I predicted.
Nobody came.
What? The house is filled with people.
Those are just your friends. They're not mine.
They're not Aunt Vinnie's.
The world we grew up in, it's lost.
And nobody will have remembered my sister.
Are those the beautiful Dickinson ladies I see?
Oh, Mr. Conkey. You came.
Yes, I did.
Oh, it's so lovely to see you, Ithamar.
And so kind of you to come, to share in the dreadful loss of our dear Lavinia.
Oh. [clears throat]
Well, uh, as a matter of fact,
I'm actually here to see Emily.
-Me? -[Conkey] That's right.
Is there someplace the two of us might converse in private?
Um, I'd, uh…
What?
I suppose you could go out on the side porch.
Perfect. Ideal. Shall we?
Go ahead.
[Emily murmuring]
Oh, and, uh, m-my condolences, of course.
[whispering] Hey. [chuckles]
Austin, we can't.
[whispering] Oh, everyone knows.
Come on, Jane. Just kiss me.
No, it's unseemly.
Your wife is about to burst.
[sighs]
Sue doesn't care.
Well, I do. Think of your child.
I'm thinking of my godson.
Did Billy like the rocking horse I sent?
-He loved it. -[chuckles]
Well, then I'll come by this evening and see him ride it.
No. We can't-- We can't do this anymore.
Jane, come on.
You know Sue and I don't love each other.
Yeah. Well, you still managed to get her pregnant.
[stairs creaking]
-Sue! -[breathing heavily] Ah, hello, Jane.
How are you feeling?
Uh, I'm all right. I'll be feeling much better when this baby comes out.
[chuckles] Should be any day now.
Any day now.
[whispering] I'll see you tonight.
No, you won't.
-[sighs] -[door closes]
-Evelina. -Emily.
Yes. I know how long you've waited for us to be able to have this conversation.
-Mmm. -Of course, I--
I wanted to be respectful of your aunt.
Sure.
But now, I can finally come to you in the full light of the sun
and express to you…
my hope.
Your hope for what?
My dear Ev-- uh-- Emily, you must know how I admire you.
I actually was not aware.
You are such a bright little spirit.
Such a wholesome, loving daughter who flutters around her nest,
chirping her sweet song and making everybody smile.
Pretty sure nobody has ever described me that way, but okay, I'll take it.
Yes, you are.
You are a loving songbird.
And that is why I would be made so happy if you were to… join me
in my empty nest.
-Oh, no, no, don't! You-- You really-- -No. I can do it, despite my bad knees.
E-- Emily, my little parakeet.
Marry me?
Um, I-- [stammers] I don't--
Oh, I know how long you've waited.
You've grown old.
Me, old? You're old.
No, for a man, I'm actually still quite young.
You, on the other hand, are elderly and frail, uh, for a girl.
B-- But I believe there is still life in that sweet heart of yours.
Tweet for me, little bird.
Mr. Conkey, please get up.
[chuckles] Thank you.
[groans]
I really was in quite a lot of pain. [breathing heavily]
I'm not gonna marry you.
Say it again?
[shouting] I'm not gonna marry you!
Oh. Hmm.
Why not?
Well, because…
I can't.
I need to be here for my family.
Things are so dark and terrible with the war and losing Aunt Lavinia.
They need me here. They really do.
So then I have no hope.
"'Hope'" is the thing with feathers" -
-I don't know what that means. -I'm not totally sure myself.
-Excuse me. Sorry to intrude. -[Conkey] Y-Yes, go away.
You're not intruding. Please.
It's just, I'm leaving shortly,
and, Emily, we still haven't gotten a chance to discuss your new funeral bonnet.
Fu-- Betty, I didn't-- I--
My-- My new-- My new bonnet!
Oh, that's-- That's right! Uh, I-- I-- Well, that's rather urgent, isn't it?
Mr. Conkey, if you'll excuse me. It's women's business.
-You wouldn't understand. -What? I can't hear you at all.
[shouting] Got to go! Later!
[laughing] How did you know I needed you?
Oh, I know what happens
when Ithamar Conkey takes a young lady out on a porch.
-Oh, so you think I'm young? Wow. -Yeah! Well, not that young.
[laughs]
Right. I'm a bona fide spinster. Single AF.
Yeah, well, that makes two of us.
I'm telling you, Henry will write.
Don't give up.
[chattering, indistinct]
[wagoner] Whoa!
Come on, now.
Hyah!
Is that way south?
You're gonna want to go that way.
That's south?
But I just came from there. I'm trying to go south.
Well, what would you want to do that for?
[chuckles] Thanks.
[Sue chuckling, speaking indistinctly]
Austin, would you pass me the carrots?
This is our little secret, don't tell anyone.
Do you want to try a pea?
Is that good? Do you want to try another one?
How many cats do you have now, Vin?
-Um… -So many.
I might adopt a fox.
-It's chic. -Mmm.
-Family, if you please… -[knife clinks]
…a few words.
This has been a sad day in a string of sad days.
And when this war began, many thought it would be over quickly.
And now we find ourselves years deep into its darkness with no end in sight.
[breathes heavily, stammering]
Every society, in its own way, is-- is like a family.
And it seems that our American family can no longer tolerate each other.
Can only see the bad in each other and none of the good. 'Tis a pity.
I don't know what the future holds for this American family.
But for the sake of all of us,
especially for the sake of that little one growing right now inside of Sue's belly,
for his sake most of all,
I hope that we can remember to see the good in each other, hmm?
[sighs]
And remember our duty, hmm? To one another.
-That's all. [inhales] That's all. -[Austin slurps]
-You know, it could be a girl. -Oh, I hope so.
Then we can name her Lavinia.
-[chuckles] Fun. -Uh…
[chuckles] Well, let's eat. Let's eat.
Oh, no. Don't eat yet.
I have something to say.
Well, I hope it's about my sister, since Edward failed to specifically mention her.
Excuse me? I said it was a sad day.
-What did you think I was referring to? -Not a word. Not a loving memory.
Don't blame me for the fact the funeral was too short.
Emily, please say something about Aunt Lavinia.
-I wi-- I will, actually. -I am kind of starving. Does anyone mind--
Don't you dare touch that food until Emily has finished with the eulogy.
I have something I want to say in honor of Aunt Lavinia.
Um, Dad, like you said,
this is a very dark time.
But I-- I think it's a good time to be sitting around this table together.
Losing Aunt Lavinia has reminded me how much I love this family.
And just like how Aunt Lavinia was such a source of joy and-- and light,
I want to be that for all of you.
There is nothing that matters to me more than the people gathered here tonight.
And all I want to do is find a way to keep hope alive for you.
My dear, eloquent child.
Emily, that was beautiful.
Really sweet, Em.
-[slams] -Wow.
That was some bullshit.
I beg your pardon?
You know, I expect this kind of garbage from him.
But you, Emily?
-I hold you to slightly higher standards. -I meant every word I just said.
"All I care about is the family"?
-Yes. -[snickers] Are you kidding?
This family is a joke.
This family hates each other. This family is a big pile of lies.
Hell, my marriage is a lie.
-But you know that, don't you, Emily? -Austin, stop.
He's drunk. Good. He's drunk again.
[groans] So what?
Why shouldn't I drink?
Just like your dad did. He was miserable too.
All the Dickinsons have always been miserable.
[chuckling] You made sure of that, didn't you?
[laughs] Yeah.
You wouldn't let me be happy.
None of us could be happy, thanks to you.
That's right. You kept us in cages.
You clipped our wings. You wouldn't let us fly!
Austin, please.
Lavinia…
look at yourself.
You're alone, unhappy, lost.
-Just like Emily. Just like me. -You need to stop.
I had dreams too, you know?
I-- I wanted to go out west!
You remember?
But he wouldn't let me.
Oh, I went west, all right.
I went all the way across the goddamn street.
Austin, that is enough!
Don't you speak to me like that!
Don't you speak to me like a child!
I am a man, goddamn it!
I'm a broken, miserable man in a broken, miserable country
whose life was ruined by his pathetic excuse for a father.
You will stop this!
You will stop thi-- [grunts]
Dad?
Oh, my God! Dad!
Austin, you killed him. You killed Dad!
Dad? Dad, are-- Can you hear me?
Dad, are you alive?
♪ O say can you see ♪
Austin, get out of here!
-♪ By the dawn's early-- ♪ -Get out! Get out!
You don't have to tell me to get out, because I'm leaving.
I secede. [chuckles]
Do you hear that, Dad?
I'm seceding from this family.
Oh!
[groaning]
Oh, he's still breathing.
Okay. He's still breathing. Don't give up, Dad.
-Oh, God. -[bird chirping]
[chirping continues]
[Emily] "Hope" is the thing with feathers -
[wings flapping]
[Emily] That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -