Perilous Places

Queen Mary History of Emotions

Hetta Howes and James Morland continue their exploration of solitude in this episode, pondering the perilous places we sometimes enter in the search for aloneness. James introduces listeners to the graveyard poets of the 18th century, who sought out places of darkness to explore their biggest fears and deepest anxieties. Hetta then speaks to Josh Cohen about Emily Dickinson’s reclusive tendencies, the imagined wildernesses she created locked away in her room, and the ways in which, historically, seclusion and solitude could make women simultaneously conspicuous and invisible. Finally, she talks to Barbara Taylor about John Donne’s terrifying struggle with solitude in his sickroom and what we can learn from those most troubling forms of aloneness when care has disappeared. *Correction: the poem ‘The Wilderness’ referenced in this podcast episode was misattributed to Emily Dickinson and is by 20th-century poet Kathleen Raine. For more on wilderness and solitude in Dickinson, see her poem, ‘Had I not seen the sun’. Contributors: James Morland (Queen Mary University of London), Josh Cohen (Goldsmiths University), Barbara Taylor (Queen Mary University of London) Presented by Hetta Howes Curated by James Morland Produced by Natalie Steed Readings by James Morland and Sam West