Who is Dove in “Dickinson” and what role does she play?

Dove is a sex worker who becomes Austin Dickinson’s mistress, representing marginalized women excluded from “respectable” society. Her character exposes the double standards of Victorian-era morality—where wealthy men exploited vulnerable women while publicly condemning prostitution.

Actress Ziwe Fumudoh portrays Dove as multifaceted: resilient yet trapped by economic necessity. Her relationship with Austin (Adrian Blake Enscoe) highlights his moral compromises, contrasting his privileged life with Dove’s precarious existence. The show avoids stereotypes by showing her vulnerability, strategic maneuvering in high-society circles, and quiet defiance against dehumanization.

How accurate is the depiction of prostitution in 19th-century Amherst?

Prostitution was widespread but covert in 1850s Massachusetts, driven by poverty, limited women’s rights, and social hypocrisy. The show’s portrayal aligns with historical records of “boarding houses” where sex work occurred discreetly. Wealthy men like Austin could engage without scandal, while women faced arrest or destitution.

Emily Dickinson’s letters reference Amherst’s hidden vices, though obliquely. The series amplifies this by showing brothels as spaces where class divisions blur—Dove interacts with elites like Henry Shipley (Pico Alexander), revealing how power dynamics enabled exploitation.

Why did the show’s creators include prostitution storylines?

Creator Alena Smith uses prostitution to critique systemic oppression. Dove’s arc parallels Emily’s (Hailee Steinfeld) struggles against patriarchal constraints—both navigate societal limits on women’s autonomy. The show argues that “fallen women” were victims of economic inequality, not moral failings.

Does this theme connect to Emily Dickinson’s poetry?

While Emily never wrote explicitly about prostitution, poems like “She rose to His Requirement” critique marriage as transactional. The series imagines her empathy for outcasts like Dove, reflecting real themes in her work about societal exclusion and silenced voices.

How does “Dickinson” address the ethics of sex work?

The show distinguishes between consensual agency and exploitation. Dove enters sex work due to financial desperation, not choice, highlighting the lack of options for uneducated women. Scenes where she negotiates payments or endures harassment underscore the era’s power imbalances.

Conversely, characters like Henry glamorize prostitution as rebellion, which the narrative counters by showing Dove’s isolation and physical risks. This complexity avoids romanticizing the trade while condemning the society that necessitated it.

What happened to real-life sex workers in Emily Dickinson’s era?

Historical data shows most faced dire outcomes: disease, addiction, prison, or early death. “Dickinson” mirrors this through Dove’s near-fatal abortion and reliance on Austin’s unreliable protection. Reform movements like the Magdalene Societies promised redemption but often punished women further through forced labor.

Were brothels tolerated in towns like Amherst?

Yes, if discreet. Police routinely ignored establishments catering to elites while arresting street-based workers. The show’s muted reactions to Henry’s brothel reflect this selective enforcement—authorities intervened only during public scandals.

How do prostitution narratives enhance the show’s modern resonance?

By using contemporary music and dialogue, “Dickinson” draws parallels to current issues: wage gaps, #MeToo, and debates about sex work decriminalization. Dove’s lack of autonomy echoes modern discussions about economic coercion in the industry.

The series also challenges “respectability politics”—Emily’s mother (Jane Krakowski) condemns Dove while ignoring Austin’s complicity, mirroring how society still blames marginalized women for male misconduct.

Conclusion: Prostitution as Social Mirror in “Dickinson”

The show uses historical prostitution to expose enduring inequities. Dove’s character forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about privilege, gender, and who society deems “worthy” of protection. By centering empathy over judgment, “Dickinson” honors the real women erased by history—and asks how far we’ve truly come.