Emily's insular poetic world is rocked when Sue introduces her to Sam Bowles, a newspaper editor with a strong interest in publishing women.

Her participation in an Amherst baking contest gives Emily a taste of fame and celebrity, but she questions the benefits.

Torn about whether to allow Sam to publish her work, Emily hosts a séance in search of guidance.

After some time without news from Sam, Emily begins to suffer from writer's block. To rediscover her inspiration, she ventures into the landscape.

When she learns that Sam plans to publish her poem, Emily embraces being his latest discovery while attending one of Sue's salons.

Things don't go as planned when Emily tries to express her gratitude to Sam during a night at the opera.

Thinking she's blown her shot at publication, Emily spirals into depression. Her mother attempts to help her with a trip to the water cure.

When her poem is finally published in Sam's newspaper, Emily is shocked to discover that she has become invisible to the world.

To distract himself from the pain of life, Austin throws a tea party for his old college friends—but the day is disrupted by a major political event.

While the whole town attends the christening of Jane's baby, Emily fights to get her poems back from Sam.