Poetry Analysis: “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson, Essay Example

The speaker tells you about the circle of life, and everyone’s stop is at the house “grave” Initially the impression that is given is dark (Dickinson). The narrator starts in the first line that “Because I could not stop for Death,” which hints the personification utilized throughout the stanzas to discuss the experience of entering the afterlife. The speaker considers what she sees around her to depict what she ought to put away and allow the next stage of existence to take over (Dickinson). For example, images that stood out was the house and the long dashes which symbolizes to take a long pause. Death is personified in the form of a suitor who stops and picks up the taking her on a horse-drawn ride of horse-drawn carriage. Therefore, the poem is about circle of life, death and life after death, putting into consideration that death is inevitable.

The obvious meaning is ultimately, everyone will meet death. Destination stops showing how life has evolved and where it is about to end according to the perspectives of morality and death. Each milestone of life is significant and may very well be different, but one thing that remains the same is the grave (Dickinson). We all will meet one day. As she is taken along the ride, she feels relaxed, and as she passes through the town she sees the fields of grains, the setting sun and children at play which depict the peaceful life in every milestone of an individual life.

The two main themes are morality and death. They poem is interpreted from immorality point of view. (Dickinson). The speaker provides a synopsis of her afterlife, although she is providing her human experience with death. The personification “Death” the speaker is giving characteristics of a living thing to a non-living thing. The repetition of death emphasizing on her passing of life. The poet uses alliteration “Tippet and Tulip” they appear to be closer to each other, and they begin with the same sound. Another example would be labor, and leisure as used in the second stanza.

The tone of the poem is very calm. The speaker is aware life taking its course, especially around her (Dickinson). The poet is not over emotional about what happens although things shifts when a part of death is reached poem becomes dark and sinister. The structure of the poem does not have a specific rhyme scheme.

To conclude the poet’s message is to inform the readers the process of life and where it will end. The poem sheds light on the fact that death cannot be avoided since everyone must die. Though no one is sure about life after death, the poet explores the inevitability of death and uncertainties that occurs when individuals die.

Work Cited

Dickinson, Emily. “Because I Could Not Stop for Death.” Backpack Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing, by X. J. Kennedy et al., sixth ed., Pearson, 2020, pp. 622–623.