Dickinson Q & A: Death on Edward Dickinson's watch

The Slave Is Gone: The Show That Talks Back to AppleTV+'s Dickinson

Death was a constant presence in 19th century America, including Emily Dickinson's Amherst. But if you were poor, Black, or indigenous — or all three — the risk of death from illness and overwork was much greater.

As our rogue scholar Aífe Murray describes in this bonus conversation, the prominent citizens of Amherst, including Emily's father Edward Dickinson, were vigilant about their own health. But they weren't much looking out for the health of their less advantaged neighbors and hired hands. In fact, if it suited their purposes, they just might send you out to die on the edge of town.

Joining Aífe in the conversation are cohosts Jericho Brown and Brionne Janae, and special guest Amber Flame.