Final answer:
Emily Dickinson's poems are studied in English literature for challenging the gender roles of the nineteenth century, providing a nuanced perspective on femininity and expanding women's voices in literary history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question: 'How do Dickinson's poems support or challenge what we think we know about gender roles in the nineteenth century?' is deeply rooted in the study of English, particularly the exploration of literature and its societal impacts. Emily Dickinson, a prominent figure in the Late Romanticism period, is well-known for poetry that defied the conventional expectations of women in her time. Her work provides insights into the lived experiences and psychological landscapes of individuals, particularly women, during the 1800s. Dickinson's poems were revolutionary not just because of their technical proficiency but because they presented a new perspective on the role of women, showing a depth of intellect and emotional range often denied to women by the social norms of her era. Through careful analysis of her work, we can see Dickinson's nuanced approach to gender roles—both conforming to certain aspects of femininity while also challenging and expanding the space for women's voices and experiences in literature.