Because I Could Not Stop For Death, Poetry, College Term Papers.com


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Because I Could Not Stop For Death

Because I Could Not Stop For Death “Because I could not stop for Death” The poem “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson, expresses the speaker’s reflection on death. The poem focuses on the concept of life after death. This poem’s setting mirrors the circumstances by which death approaches, and death’s tone appears kind and compassionate. It is through the promise of immortality that fear is removed, and death not only becomes acceptable but welcomed as well. As human beings, we feel that death never comes at a convenient or opportune time. However, when death makes an appearance, it approaches bearing gifts of kindness, “Civility,” “And Immortality.” One can almost envision civility as being tall, dark, and handsomely dressed in a black tuxedo, arriving promptly, as any gentlemen would, to pick up his date for an evening out. Immortality also serves as a passenger in death’s “Carriage.” This signifies the miracle of life is our most precious possession and promises the gift of unending life, as shown by “The Carriage held but just Ourselves- / And Immortality” (lines 3-4). Immortality’s presence helps to remove all fears as we exit the physical world and provides the recipient with the necessary assistance to assure that the transition from reality to spirituality is a pleasant experience. If the promise of immortality did not exist, one would never go along willingly, nor would one welcome death without fear. Death and the speaker ride along with absolutely no concept of the passage of time. They are not hurried, or rushed, as they have forever to reach their destination. This is stated in line 5: “We slowly drove- / He knew no haste.” Having completed all her earthly chores, the speaker states that they are no longer of any concern to her. For now there is no sewing, cooking, cleaning, farming, or caring for loved ones. The speaker has been allowed the luxury of rest and relaxation, as lines 6-7 reveals: “And I had put away- / My labor and my leisure too.” Therefore, the persona and death share a reminiscent journey together as they leisurely stroll down memory lane, concerning themselves not with time, but compassion as death allows the speaker to mirror the passage of her life with things familiar to her. The journey enables her to see the stages of her life beginning with her childhood, then maturity, and finally old age. This is verified by the third quatrain. We passed the School, where Children strove We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain— We passed the Setting Sun— When the sunsets and darkness surrounds the earth a cold eerie chill almost always accompanies it. This makes the speaker question if in fact the sun had passed her. She begins to notice how inappropriately she is dressed for such an occasion. The speaker now begins to realize that the coldness and the chill are not external, but internal. How clear it becomes to the speaker that the coldness and the chill are associated with death, and with this she fully realizes that she is dead. This can be found in the fourth quatrain. The speaker’s metaphysical journey comes to an end at the cemetery. But somehow, the cold, dark, and eerie chill of the night appears unimportant. In total contentment, she views her resting-place. Although her grave stone is barely visible, she somehow recognizes it as her underground home. This is acknowledged in the fifth quatrain. We passed before a House that seemed Upon death, the concept of time becomes non-existent. Therefore, the speaker’s ability to relate to how much time has passed since death and immortality carried her off with promises of everlasting life, becomes irrelevant. The speaker realizes there is no price to pay for death, and death is not to be feared, but rather embraced. This is verified in the fifth quatrain. Since then—‘tis Centuries—and yet I first surmised the Horses’ Heads In conclusion, the speaker’s faith and belief in immortality allows her to peacefully exit one phase of existence while embracing the next phase. Death’s kindness and compassion pave the way for the transition to be welcomed rather than feared. Bibliography:

Word Count: 837