Bipolar Dickinson Thesis Used Creative Thinking

Regarding “Dickinson May Have Had Bipolar Traits” (May 16): John F. McDermott speculates that Emily Dickinson (arguably America’s greatest poet) “had a bipolar trait” and that “along with that came a new kind of thinking.” To consider such a thing, one would have to pre-assume that creativity and imagination are the result of some other cause. They are not. It is possible to create something that is pure imagination just as it is possible to be kind and honest for no reason other than kindness and honesty.

The amusing irony is that Dr. McDermott’s conclusion required not a small amount of creativity. I think he should quit psychiatry and turn to poetry; who knows, with his imagination he may come up with something worth reading.

DWIGHT BERNARD MIKKELSEN

Shadow Hills