I am afraid to own a Body

I am afraid to own a Body is the fifth episode of the first season of Dickinson. It is the fifth episode of the series overall.

Synopsis
Emily confronts tough issues at a meeting of the local Shakespeare Club.

Plot
George asks Edward's permission for Emily's hand in marriage and is disappointed when Edward seems to suggest that George is too lenient with Emily.

As Emily prepares to act out Othello with her Shakespeare club George tries to strongarm her into behaving more obediently, first by attempting to censor the play and later by refusing to let Henry, one of the Dickinson's hired hands who is black, play the title role.

Though George later tries to explain his actions, Emily is angered and rejects his marriage proposal outright.

Main

 * Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson
 * Toby Huss as Edward Dickinson
 * Adrian Enscoe as Austin Dickinson
 * Anna Baryshnikov as Lavinia Dickinson
 * Ella Hunt as Sue Gilbert
 * Jane Krakowski as Mrs. Dickinson

Recurring

 * Darlene Hunt as Maggie
 * Samuel Farnsworth as George Gould
 * Gus Birney as Jane Humphrey
 * Chinaza Uche as Henry
 * Sophie Zucker as Abby Wood
 * Allegra Heart as Abiah Root
 * Kevin Yee as Toshiaki
 * Gus Halper as Joseph Lyman

Images

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Trivia

 * The episode's title and themes are based on "I am afraid to own a Body" poem 1090 by Emily Dickinson.
 * Right before they start their "show", the gang dress-up as the heroes of some of Shakespeare's most famous plays ("Romeo and Juliet", "Julius Caesar", "Hamlet", "Macbeth" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream").