Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Because I Could Not Stop for Death
         Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school, where children strove
At recess, in the ring;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

Or rather, he passed us;
The dews grew quivering and chill,
For only gossamer my gown,
My tippet only tulle.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries, and yet each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.

Death is a natural process of life that occurs every day. In society, some people are willing to accept death and some fear it. Emily Dickenson for instance was fascinated by death and composed many poems about mortality. Probably the most famous poem she composed was “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” which reflects her views on death. Dickinson conveys her accepting relationship with death by using metaphors and diction. Dickinson uses metaphors to show that she is accepting of death. The first metaphor she employs is the comparison between death and a gentleman. Dickinson refers to death as a gentleman who “kindly stopped for [her]” (Line 2). By alluding death to a gentleman the speaker shows that she respects death and is not afraid of it. We must recall that the time period of Dickenson was vibrant with courtships between young ladies and gentlemen. Therefore, the speaker is symbolizing her journey with Death as a tentative and happy courtship. Also, she is rather impressed with the “gentleman” and is willing “to put [her] labor and [her] leisure too for his civility” (Lines 6-8). The other metaphor that she employs is the comparison between the house and her grave. During her journey to her death, she and the “gentlemen” arrive at a house. This house represents her grave and also conveys her thoughts on death. By calling her grave a house, Dickinson is showing that she is comfortable with death. A house is a place of peace and shelter further supporting the notion that she is accepting of death. Dickenson uses diction to reflect her accepting relationship with death. The overall tone of this poem is peaceful and calm because of its diction. She employs soft language and words to convey her overall message. For instance, Dickenson uses soft words when she states that death “kindly stopped for [her]” (Line 3). The adjective “kindly” shows her accepting nature because death is usually referred to something fearful not benevolent. Furthermore, Dickinson uses the word “civility” to describe death which shows her respect and admiration (Line 8). Overall, Dickinson is praising death with diction that contains positive connotations. The most interesting aspect of this poem is that it closely relates to Elizabeth Willard in Winesburg Ohio. Like the speaker in this poem, Elizabeth is accepting towards death and is willing to embrace it. In the story “Death”, Elizabeth states that her most cherished memories were when “her lovers Death and Doctor Reefy held her in their arms” (143). By calling Death as her lover, we can infer that Elizabeth views Death as her true love because it can provide her with happiness and peace. (As we know, Elizabeth is a lonely and miserable character in the novel.) Since Elizabeth views Death as a solace, the speaker in the poem must also view Death as a place of tranquility and pure joy. It is tragic that these two individuals choose death as the only hope for happiness.