The Personification Of Death In Emily Dickinson's Poems
Hernandez 1 Huasnely Hernandez Professor Sweeting Lit 201-01 28 February 2017 Death The personification of death is clearly understood in John Donne's, "Death, be not proud" as well as in Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death". Despite the different implications in each poem, the central theme is death. The inevitable realization of death is explored in both poems, by examining death as a person and by reflecting the poets' religious beliefs. Although John Donne's poem was written in 1633, the theme of death can be compared to Emily Dickinson's poem, written about two centuries later. Both Donne and Dickinson are urging the readers not fear death. However, Donne addresses this theme with assertiveness while Dickinson is more
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In this poem, the poet is warning Death not to be prideful of his accomplishments. He says Death is a "slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men" as well as "poison, war, and sickness" (457). Yet reminds him that "poppy or charms" can also make people sleep (457). Then ends by telling Death that he will no longer exist because of the eternal life. Unlike Donne, Dickinson has a sensitive approach. She begins by saying Death "kindly stopped" yet when the "Setting Sun" passed them the poem became darker (523). Dickinson then uses words like "quivering and chill" to capture the idea that death is getting closer (523). Yet she writes that it takes century, but it feels "shorter than the Day". The last stanza ends with the reiteration of Immortality being with her and an eternal life. When examining the poems, it is apparent that the theme of both poems is death. Both John Donne and Emily Dickinson construct the poems with a precise emphasize yet do it by taking different approaches. By doing this their religious beliefs also come into consideration, leaving readers no longer fearing
In this poem, the poet is warning Death not to be prideful of his accomplishments. He says Death is a "slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men" as well as "poison, war, and sickness" (457). Yet reminds him that "poppy or charms" can also make people sleep (457). Then ends by telling Death that he will no longer exist because of the eternal life. Unlike Donne, Dickinson has a sensitive approach. She begins by saying Death "kindly stopped" yet when the "Setting Sun" passed them the poem became darker (523). Dickinson then uses words like "quivering and chill" to capture the idea that death is getting closer (523). Yet she writes that it takes century, but it feels "shorter than the Day". The last stanza ends with the reiteration of Immortality being with her and an eternal life. When examining the poems, it is apparent that the theme of both poems is death. Both John Donne and Emily Dickinson construct the poems with a precise emphasize yet do it by taking different approaches. By doing this their religious beliefs also come into consideration, leaving readers no longer fearing