Why did Emily Dickinson often ignore standard grammar and poetic rules?

Emily Dickinson’s departure from standard grammar and conventional poetic rules was a hallmark of her bold and original style. Rather than viewing these deviations as errors, scholars suggest they were intentional artistic choices used to enhance her work.123

Her liberal use of dashes and capitalized interior words served several functions:
* Rhythm and Pace: These elements helped her control the rhythm and flow of her lines.3
* Emphasis and Ambiguity: They were often used to highlight the ambiguous meanings of specific words or to create pauses and bridges between lines.3

While some researchers believe her punctuation was influenced by the grammar books of her era, her overall approach to versification remained experimental. By ignoring traditional constraints, Dickinson achieved a unique, epigrammatic compression and a haunting personal voice that distinguished her as one of the most significant American poets of the 19th century.132