Emily Dickinson Because I Could Not Stop For Death

Death is a theme that has been demonstrated in novels, short stories, and dramas, but it is continuously discussed in poetry, especially in Emily Dickinson’s poetry. Her unique approach of death made her stand out in history of American poetry and literature. Although, Dickinson lived a relative short life, until this day she is widely considered as one of the best-known poets for her unique treatment on the theme of death. In fact, as a result of Dickinson experiencing the loss of several close friends and her mother, it caused her to spend latter half of her life in grief. Therefore, the deaths of those significant to Dickinson affected her writing and style of expression, in which the theme of death continued to exist throughout her poetry.
This poem is one of Dickinson's most popular poems and just like "I heard a Fly buzz — when I died," the speaker tells her story from beyond the grave. For example, in the first stanza the theme of death is already revealed and the speaker presents an apparently positive view of a dark subject," Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me – / The Carriage held but just Ourselves – (lines 1-3)". From those lines it can be determined that Death is a kind gentleman that came in a carriage just to pick her up demonstrating his courtship. However, Death's kind gesture can be interpreted as ironic, because even though Death "kindly stopped" for her, it doesn't change the fact that he is taking the speaker's life. Correspondingly, the second stanza proves the universal truth about life, death will come to all and is inevitable when the speaker says, " And I had put away / My labor and my leisure too, /For His Civility – (lines 6-8)." By putting away the labor and leisure aside, the speaker gives up everything in exchange for Death's
The setting sun is symbolic because not only does it signify the end of the day, but it can also stand for the end of life. For instance, "Or rather – He passed us – (line 13)", the speaker is overpowered by death as she indicates that they passed the setting sun instead of the sun passing them, suggesting that she has lost the warmth leaving her body and has physically left the world of the living (Alqaryouti). In the last lines the speaker says, "We paused before a House that seemed / A Swelling of the Ground – (lines 17-18)". The "we paused" marks the second stop in the poem. The first instance was the beginning of the journey when Death stops to pick up the speaker. It could be guessed by the way the word " House" is being used, that this second stop could end their journey since they arrived the place of burial. After all it's been said that the gravesite is the "final resting