Emily Dickinson Death

Death has been the central idea of many of Emily Dickinson's poems for its hypersensitivity. Many people try to avoid the topic of Death because it generally signifies the end as well as the unknown. Dickinson however, defies the traditional negative interpretations of death in her poem “Because I could not stop for death.” The rhetorical techniques utilized by Dickinson, help emphasize her belief that death is a positive spiritual experience that should be embraced and accepted rather than feared.
In her poem, the vision of death that Dickinson offers is one of companionship. Dickinson abandons the idea that the concept of death is disheartening and intimidating. In hopes of shedding light on her positive views, she personifies death as an
The narrator does not seem to describe her transition from life to death as a frightening experience. Rather, she seems to feel a certain sense of peace and comfort when she steps into the carriage, suggesting her acceptance towards giving up her life. Dickinson describes death very fondly, saying that he is “kind” and “civil.” Her representation of the journey also suggests her easiness and contentment. The narrator asserts, “We slowly drove, he knew no haste / And I had put away / My labor, and my leisure too,” Dickinson reflects that as a result of death time becomes meaningless along with work and normal freedoms. However, this does not upset the narrator. She feels at peace with her decision with death comes the ability to reflect on one's life. Despite the change in setting in the 3rd stanza to what seems to be a dark future, Dickinson's tone remains one of open mindedness. She compares the narrator's grave to a house: “We paused before house that seemed / A swelling of the ground” A grave normally doesn't have a positive undertone because it is a symbol of death, which is why rather than plainly stating it is a grave the narrator describes her finally resting place as a house. Many people find comfort in their home, thus, the audience may think of one's burial as a place of comfort and
During the ride, the narrator passes a school with children playing, fields of grain, and finally a sunset. Each one of these visuals represents a different stage in life: childhood illustrated by the school, maturity by the fields of gazing grain, and old age by the setting sun. The purpose of this metaphor is to express that death is merely a natural part of the endless cycle of life. Because death is something that everyone experiences and is inevitable, it should be nothing to