In 1981, The Manuscript Books of Emily Dickinson was published. Using the physical evidence of the original papers, the poems were intended to be published in their original order for the first time. Editor Ralph W. Franklin relied on smudge marks, needle punctures and other clues to reassemble the poet's packets. Since then, many critics have argued for thematic unity in these small collections, believing the ordering of the poems to be more than chronological or convenient.
in 1981 the ManUscRIPt BOoKS Of eMiLy dIcKInsOn wAS PUBlishEd using ThE PhysIcAl evidEnCE of The oRiGinal pAPErS the pOEmS were iNtEndED To be publisheD IN theiR oRigInAl oRDer For thE firSt tIMe EdiTOR rALpH w FrAnklin reliEd On SMuDge marks NeedLE pUnCTUres and oThEr clues To REasSeMBle tHe poet's packEts sINce THeN mANy criTIcs Have argued For thematIc unity in these small coLlEcTioNs beliEving The ORDerINg of the poems TO Be more than chRonOlogical or cONvenient