Emily Dickinson’s Vision of ‘Death’ and ‘Eternity’ in “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 drew 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 – in the Ground –

Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet

Feels shorter than the Day

I first surmised the Horses' Heads

Were toward Eternity –

Heralded as one of the most gifted American writers, Emily Dickinson’s  poems were struck by her succinct style and the intensity of emotions that the poems contained. In the poem Because I could not stop for Death, the ballad-metre has been used and the poet’s encounter with Death is told like a story. Again, Dickinson’s poems are familiar teaching devices that reveal moral lessons through short and simple stories. Her poem's simplicity lends it a timeless quality. For this reason, Dickinson’s poems hold relevance today in parabolic sense. Dickinson’s poems can also be enigmatic sayings or tales, which obviously contain a message though the precise meaning is anyone's guess. In this poem, Because I Could Not Stop for Death Dickinson focused on themes relating to death, eternity, and love, usually in short four-line stanzas. It may be noted that some of the lines arc rhyming. But the others are not

In her poem "Because I could not stop for Death," Emily Dickinson presents her vision of death and eternity in a unique and thought-provoking way. She personifies death as a gentlemanly suitor who takes her on a carriage ride through life's stages, ultimately leading her to eternity. This portrayal of death as a companion on a journey challenges traditional views of death as a finality or punishment. Instead, Dickinson sees it as a natural part of life's progression, leading to an eternal existence beyond physical death. Her poetic vision offers a sense of comfort and acceptance, making "Because I could not stop for Death" one of her most famous and enduring works.

Death has been adorned as a princely lover with his Carriage with utmost civility and tenderness. Here is the journey to eternity because here is the   timelessness that follows death. The journey described here is the journey of life in which there is a continuous succession of sights and sounds-- such as the school, the children, the fields, and the setting sun:

“We passed the School, where Children strove

At Recess – in the Ring –

We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –

We passed the Setting Sun –”

While going through these varied experiences of life, we have no time for Death, we cannot ‘stop for death’, yet Death always accompanies us. Death is ‘civil’ or polite as a companion, as it makes no haste. After the poet becomes aware of the presence of Death, however, she puts away both work and entertainments in the contemplation of Death.

 In the two final stanzas, the destination of the journey that is the tomb or the grave is reached. There time has no meaning, hence even centuries spent to the shorter than the day when the poet first became aware of Death’s presence:

“We paused before a House that seemed

A Swelling of the Ground –

The Roof was scarcely visible –

The Cornice – in the Ground –”

“Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet

Feels shorter than the Day

I first surmised the Horses' Heads

Were toward Eternity –”

The oldest and most stable structural element of Because I could not stop for Death is the shield area of the life and death. It comprises a complex ideology of igneous desires. In most places the shield is overlaid by philosophic burden, mostly of theological, although some areas of younger hopes occur, notably in heavenly lover, the Yamaraja. The lover we find in Because I could not stop for Death offers evidence of ideological drift, indicating that in the spiritual sublime period the death is linked to desire, a great hope incorporating life and afterlife. Because I could not stop for Death   is clearly a relationship between the life and afterlife but the exact meaning of either poem is left up to the individual reader. We can  discuss the many possible readings of the poem. Both the short story and the poet- Death discussion( monologue) seem to indicate that the reader is much like the man at the chariot; there is a meaning in the story for everyone just as there is one chariot to the grave for each person.

 Ardhendu De

 Now try to chalk out the Full Answers of the Following Questions:

1. What tells you that the speaker is a woman?

• Clothing references: The speaker mentions wearing a "Gossamer" gown and a "Tippet" of tulle. These are typically feminine garments.
• Societal norms: In Dickinson's time, women were often portrayed as delicate and passive, which aligns with the speaker's tone and description.

2. Why do you think Death is seen as a man?

• Traditional personification: Death is often personified as a male figure in various cultures and mythologies. This might be due to the association of death with a powerful, controlling force.
• Cultural expectations: During Dickinson's time, gender roles were more rigid, and men were often seen as authority figures. Death, as a final authority, might be naturally personified as a male.

3. Why is the roof of the ‘House’ scarcely visible?

• Symbolism of the afterlife: The "House" likely represents the afterlife. The barely visible roof suggests that the afterlife is mysterious and unknown, a place that is difficult to comprehend or fully grasp.
• Passage of time: The invisibility of the roof might also symbolize the passage of time. The speaker has been in the afterlife for "Centuries," and the once familiar world has become distant and indistinct.

4. How much time has passed since the House was reached?

• The speaker states: "Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet..." This indicates that centuries have passed since the speaker arrived at the "House."

5. Why does it seem to be shorter than a day?

• Subjectivity of time: The speaker suggests that despite the passage of centuries, the experience feels shorter than a day. This might be due to the altered perception of time in the afterlife or the intensity of the experience.
• Spiritual or emotional state: The speaker's emotional or spiritual state might affect their perception of time. A sense of peace or transcendence could make time feel less significant.

6. How does Emily Dickinson look at Death in "Because I could not stop for Death"?

• Acceptance and calm: Dickinson portrays Death as a gentle and courteous figure. The speaker seems to have accepted death with a sense of peace and resignation.
• Curiosity and wonder: The speaker also expresses a sense of curiosity about the afterlife. The "House" and the journey towards it symbolize a new and unknown experience.

7. What is the relationship between ‘Death’ and ‘Eternity’?

• Death as a gateway: Death is depicted as a guide or driver leading the speaker towards eternity. It suggests that death is not the end but rather a transition to a new state of existence.
• Eternity as a destination: Eternity is implied as the final destination of the journey. It represents an endless and timeless state, beyond the limitations of earthly life.