Emily Dickinsons Feelings About Death Revealed in Her...

Emily Dickinsons Feelings About Death Revealed in Her Poem, Because I could not stop for Death Emily Dickinson grew up in New England in the late 1800s. The nineteenth century was a difficult time period for the people of America. There was an abundance of war, epidemic, and death. Because her house was located beside a graveyard, Dickinson saw many of the elaborate funeral processions as they passed (Murray). Because of these experiences, death became very real to her, and it made a large impression on her life. Conrad Aikin, one of the many critics of Dickinsons work, believes that: Death and the problem of life after death obsessed her (15). She had a very peculiar idea about eternity that was unlike any of the traditional†¦show more content†¦Personification is a type of figurative language one uses to give abstract ideas human-like characteristics. Dickinson uses personification in this poem because it allows the reader to understand death in a more intimate way. Death became so real to her and to her contemporaries because of the time in which she lived. Through her life experiences, the poet became intimate with death. Because of all the disease and epidemics in her lifetime, many of her loved ones passed away. These deaths were very intense breaks in her life (Murray). Some critics suggest that the death of her cousin was the inspiration for this poem (Semansky). In any event, death had a large impact on Dickinsons life. This impact explains why she writes so descriptively about it. In this poem, death is personified as a gentleman caller taking the lady out for a carriage ride. This personification gives the reader a better image of the writers idea of the coming of death. Dickinson gives Death many characteristics that help to shape our image of him. The line He kindly stopped for me in the first stanza, immediately gives a male gender (2). This male image gives the reader the traditional idea of the gentleman caller. This line also reveals a kind quality of death. The kind quality is important throughout this poem because it allows the speaker toShow MoreRelatedDying For Meet Death By Emily Dickinson1199 Words   |  5 PagesMeet Death Emily Dickinson’s reputation made her appear to most people as a reclusive woman captivated by death (â€Å"Emily Dickinson† 1001). This is reinforced in many of her poems, specifically â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death.† In Contrast, Dylan Thomas, the poet who created â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,† was well known for his over-the-top personality and iniquitous lifestyle (â€Å"Dylan Thomas†). Emily Dickinson creates the persona of an older woman, who has been called upon by Death, whileRead MoreMortailty and Eternity in Emily Dickinson Poems Essay1541 Words   |  7 PagesEmily Dickinson is the epitome of the modern poet. Her poetry breaks from the traditional style with dashes to separate ideas. Dickinson, also, challenged the religious belief of her time. Growing up as a Puritan in Massachusetts, Emily Dickinson knew the bible, yet as an adult, she questioned that belief. Many of her poems seem focused on death; death o f the body, death of the soul, death of the mind. Why was she so intrigued with death? The poems that embody this theme are: â€Å"Success is countedRead MoreEssay about Two Viewpoints of Death in Emily Dickinsons Poetry642 Words   |  3 PagesTwo of Emily Dickinson’s poems, â€Å"I heard a Fly buzz-when I died† and â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death† are both written about life’s stopping point, death. Although the poems are written by the same poet, both poems view death in a different manner. Between the two poems, one views death as having an everlasting life while the other anticipates everlasting life, only to realize it does not exist. While both poems are about death, both poems also illustrate that the outcome of death is a mysteriousRead MoreUnderstanding Relationships in Emily Dickinsons Because I Could Not Stop for Death and John Updikes Dogs Death1796 Words   |  7 PagesEmily Dickinsons Because I could not stop for death and John Updikes Dogs Death both trigger intense feelings in readers as a result of the concepts that they relate to. Through emphasizing feelings experienced by the main characters with regard to individuals they love, these two authors want readers to get a more complex understanding of relationships that develop between individuals who truly comprehend the importance of love. To a certain degree one might feel inclined to consider thatRead MoreEmily Dickinsons Because I Could Not Stop For Death883 Words   |  4 PagesBecause I Could Not Stop for Death - Analysis One of Emily Dickinson’s most famous poem Because I Could Not Stop for Death, consists of Emily summarizing her journey through life, from the afterlife. The poem embraces death and its eternity. She begins by personifying death as a person who takes her on ‘date’ in which her life is calmly retold. To begin, Emily receives a visit from Death. Death is not scary or forceful, instead she perceives him as a gentleman caller, who puts her at ease throughRead MoreAn Insight Into Dickinsons Portrayal of Death2157 Words   |  9 PagesInsight into Dickinsons Portrayal of Death Pale Death with impartial tread beats at the poor mans cottage door and at the palaces of kings. Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65-8 B.C.) Throughout the history of literature, it has often been said that the poet is the poetry (Tate, Reactionary 9); that a poets life and experiences greatly influence the style and the content of their writing, some more than others. Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of her time, recognizedRead MoreAn Insight Into Dickinsons Portrayal of Death2173 Words   |  9 PagesInsight into Dickinsons Portrayal of Death Pale Death with impartial tread beats at the poor mans cottage door and at the palaces of kings. Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65-8 B.C.) Throughout the history of literature, it has often been said that the poet is the poetry (Tate, Reactionary 9); that a poets life and experiences greatly influence the style and the content of their writing, some more than others. Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of her time, recognizedRead MoreEssay on Emily Dickinsons Works2525 Words   |  11 PagesEmily Dickinsons Works There is a life in Emily Dickinson’s poems, readers have found. Although one may not completely understand her as a legend, a writer, or as a part of literature books, she is considered one of America’s greatest poets. While unknown answers may not be revealed about her, secrets may not be told, nor any new discoveries made, evidence from books and articles showing Emily Dickinson’s experiences and hardships exists. Critic Paul J. Ferlazzo describes her writings:Read MoreFigurative Language and the Canterbury Tales13472 Words   |  54 Pagesalliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds. It serves to please the ear and bind verses together, to make lines more memorable, and for humorous effect. †¢ Already American vessels had been searched, seized, and sunk. -John F. Kennedy †¢ I should like to hear him fly with the high fields/ And wake to the farm forever fled from the childless land. -Dylan Thomas, â€Å"Fern Hill† 3. allusion: A casual reference in literature to a person, place, event, or another passage of literature, often withoutRead MoreAmerican Literature11652 Words   |  47 PagesAmerican Literature through Time To find out more about a particular literature time period, click on the links below: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Puritan Times Rationalism/Age of Enlightenment American Renaissance/Romanticism Gothic Realism Naturalism Modernism Harlem Renaissance Postmodernism Contemporary Puritan Times period of American Literature - 1650-1750 Content: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · errand into the wilderness be a city upon a hill Christian utopia Genre/Style: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · sermons, diaries personal