Chapter One focuses on suffering as the theme of Emily Dickinson's poems. It presents the dualistic nature of suffering – the dispiriting and empowering side – which the poet illustrated in her verse. Following Julia Kristeva's concept that lack is a starting point for the creative process, four types of lack, which became the basis for the most agonising poems, have been distinguished: lack of maternal love, lack of romantic love, lack of God and lack of health. Juxtaposed in the second section are the compensatory, rewarding aspects of suffering: the concept of immortality, an unorthodox feminine role, rage as a constructive factor and the new spirituality. The process of thought transformation denotes the poet's healing process or using Kristeva's term a successful mourning for the lost Thing.

Suffering as a dispiriting factor

When we come into contact with great art we often ask ourselves questions about its origin; what inspired the genius, where did the energy that sustained years-long effort come from. Gabora and Holmes in their essay Reflection on the Creative Writing Process contemplate the connection between suffering and art. They observe that what differentiates creative individuals is their sensitivity which often ensures suffering and the tendency to emotional instability.