Dickenson Emily Dickinson\'s Poem \"Because

Dickenson

Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" is a lyrical tribute to life's most powerful transition. Written in iambic tetrameter, Dickinson uses a regular meter but not a rhyme scheme. Instead, Dickinson relies on alliteration, rich symbolism, unconventional capitalizations, repetition, and imagery and other poetic devices. Dickinson treats Death as a welcome and benevolent companion. "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" reveals the paradox that life is at once transitory and eternal.

The narrator begins with the opening line, "I could not stop for Death," (1). Human beings are too caught up in their mundane affairs to contemplate deeper issues like death. Death "kindly stopped" for the speaker, and "Immortality" was also in the carriage (2;4). Thus, right away Death and Immortality are personified. They are depicted as benevolent forces as well as mutual companions. Immortality does not exist without the poignant transition of Death, whereas Death entails eternal life. The narrator notes that the carriage passes "the Fields of Gazing Grain," (11). Imagery of grain alludes to Death as the proverbial Reaper, although Dickinson's Death is not Grim.

Dickinson's reliance on both unconventional capitalization and alliteration enliven the poem, enhancing its already structured meter. Unconventional capitalization is used on certain words and not others such as "Carriage" and "Civility" but not on "Labor" or "Leisure," (3; 8; 7). Thus, the capitalization is not linked to theme necessarily but to rhythm. Dickinson is suggesting that the reader stress certain words in the reading of the poem. Alliteration also adds a musical element to "Because I Could Not Stop for Death." Phrases like "Gazing Grain," "Setting Sun," and "Horses' Heads" makes the poem musical in tone and enhances the ironic cheerfulness of a poem about death (11; 12; 23).

Imagery in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" is far from gruesome; in fact, the imagery supports the view of Death as a positive aspect of life. Death teaches the important lesson of appreciating transitoriness. For example, the imagery in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" includes that of a setting sun. A "setting sun" is a reference to the passing of the day into night (12). The word "passing" is repeated throughout Dickinson's poem. Repetition allows the poet to stress the meaning of the word, which in this case symbolizes the passing of all things in life. Yet Death distinguishes between that which is temporary (the setting sun) and that which is eternal (the sun itself). A new dawn is always promised at the end of the day, just as Death's horses' heads point towards Eternity (24).

The narrator also takes note of her gossamer gown, and of a tulle tippet (15; 16). Gossamer and tulle are both sheer fabrics, suggesting her own ephemeral and ghostly nature. They are thin, weak, and will not last long. Life is as delicate as gossamer, transitory but eternal at the same time. Imagery of delicate fabric also illustrates the difference between that which is temporary and that which is truly eternal. Moreover, these sheer fabrics also symbolize lightness. Dickinson urges a more lighthearted view towards death. Death is not to be feared but to be embraced and appreciated.