" Alone, I Cannot Be " is the fourth episode of the first season of the Apple TV+ series . It originally aired on November 1, 2019, and stars Hailee Steinfeld as the young, rebellious poet Emily Dickinson. Plot Summary
Back home, the Dickinson family deals with their own subplots. Emily's sister Vinnie tries to get kidnapped by Indians in a bizarre attempt to make her crush, Joseph, notice her. Ultimately, Papa Dickinson shows a rare moment of tenderness by rerouting the tracks slightly to preserve Emily's sacred tree. Critical Themes [S1E4] Alone, I Cannot Be
The episode follows Emily as she attempts to save her favorite tree from being destroyed by the impending construction of a new railroad on her family's property. After her father, Edward, agrees to let the tracks run through their land—effectively condemning a tree planted by Emily's great-grandfather—she decides to seek help from a famous environmentalist and author: . " Alone, I Cannot Be " is the
Critics and viewers have noted the episode's modern, satirical take on historical figures like Thoreau, using him to explore themes of hypocrisy and privilege. The episode is often praised for Hailee Steinfeld’s charming performance and the complex, developing relationship between Emily and her father. Dickinson Season 1 Episode 4 Recap: 'Alone, I Cannot Be' Emily's sister Vinnie tries to get kidnapped by
The encounter highlights the disparity between male and female intellectualism of the era; while Thoreau is celebrated for his "solitude," Emily realizes he has a support system she is denied simply because she is a woman.