Wild Nights with Emily (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place in Amherst, Massachusetts, a small town renowned for its rich literary history and as the home of Emily Dickinson. The town features locations that reflect the characters' deep engagement with literature, including the Amherst Shakespeare Society, which serves as a cultural hub where art and performance intertwine.

• amherst massachusetts
• setting
• location
• literary town

The movie is set in the 19th century, a period when women's roles were largely confined to domestic spheres, yet intellectual pursuits were increasingly valued. This era saw the rise of significant literary figures and movements in American poetry, making it a pivotal time for exploring love, identity, and societal constraints.

• 19th century
• time period
• historical setting
• victorian era

The film explores several interconnected themes including forbidden love, artistic expression, and legacy. These themes intersect to examine how Emily Dickinson navigated societal expectations while pursuing her creative voice and personal desires, ultimately reflecting on how her story and work were remembered after her death.

• themes
• forbidden love
• artistic expression
• legacy
• meaning

Emily Dickinson is portrayed as a deeply introspective poet driven by complex emotions and her love for Susan. Her creative spirit is illustrated through her poetry, and she finds joy in her garden and sharing her baking with neighborhood children. Her struggles with societal expectations and her desire for connection form the emotional core of the narrative.

• emily dickinson
• main character
• poet
• protagonist

Susan Gilbert is depicted as Emily's close companion and secret love, navigating the challenges of societal expectations and personal desire. Her character embodies the conflict between practicality and passion as she grapples with her engagement to Austin. Susan's warmth and connection with Emily highlight her inner struggles and emotional depth.

• susan gilbert
• love interest
• emily's partner
• character role

Mabel Todd is introduced as a complex character who blurs the lines between admiration and opportunism. Her affair with Austin reveals a boldness that contrasts sharply with Emily's reserved nature. Mabel's role in reshaping Emily's legacy and her actions toward her poetry expose the intricacies of fame and the often manipulative nature of literary circles.

• mabel todd
• editor
• legacy
• character antagonist

Thomas Wentworth Higginson is portrayed as a mentor figure to Emily, embodying the male-dominated literary establishment of the time. His interactions with Emily reflect the challenges women faced in having their voices recognized. While he provides guidance, his critiques also serve as a reminder of the barriers to publication and acceptance of women's work.

• thomas wentworth higginson
• mentor
• literary figure
• publisher

The theme of forbidden love is central to the film, illustrated through Emily and Susan's deep emotional connection that defies societal expectations. Their relationship, kept secret, highlights the constraints placed on women in the 19th century. The poignant exchanges between them underscore the tension between desire and duty.

• forbidden love
• emily and susan
• secret relationship
• same-sex love

Artistic expression is explored through Emily's poetry and her relationship with creativity. The film showcases how Emily uses her writing as a means of communicating her innermost feelings, particularly directed towards Susan. Her dedication to capturing fleeting moments in verse accentuates the importance of art as both a personal refuge and a form of resistance.

• poetry
• artistic expression
• creativity
• emily dickinson poems

Legacy plays a crucial role in the film, particularly in how Emily's poems and relationships are remembered and altered after her death. The struggle over the narrative of her life and work reflects the fraught intersection of personal truth and public perception. Mabel's attempts to reshape Emily's legacy underscore the lasting impact of both love and loss.

• legacy
• posthumous reputation
• emily dickinson legacy
• literary history

Amherst is depicted as a small town in Massachusetts known for its rich literary history and as the home of several prominent authors, including Emily Dickinson. The town features iconic sites related to Dickinson's life, contributing to its charm and allure for literary enthusiasts, and serves as a backdrop that reflects the characters' deep engagement with literature and the arts.

• amherst
• massachusetts town
• literary location
• historic town

The film's tone is bittersweet, weaving the joy of Emily and Susan's enduring love with the persistent sadness of its secrecy and the injustice of posthumous erasure. The intensity is medium, as the primary tension stems from emotional and societal friction rather than physical danger. The ending feels bittersweet as the modern revelation of truth provides vindication, but this comes long after Emily's death.

• tone
• mood
• bittersweet
• emotional tone
• film atmosphere