Death is defined as the ending of life; the permanent cessation of all vital signs
(Webster). Death has been referred to as the Grim Reaper. Dressed in a hooded cloak and holding a scythe gives the Grim Reaper a scary appearance. Death is often viewed as something to be dreaded. On the other hand, death can be viewed as a release from pain and suffering.
Dickinson’s poem uses, figurative language, imagery and tone to take the reader on a journey to eternity. In stanza one Emily Dickinson uses figurative language in the form of personification to give Death human qualities of a gentleman as we read “He kindly stopped for me” (l. 2) Dickson describes Death as a beau that has come to take his date for a carriage ride. Dickson gives the impression that the lady is not ready to face death as she begins the stanza with “Because I could…show more content… 1). Also, Immortality is personified as a rider in the carriage “The carriage held but just ourselves and Immortality” (ll.3-4). Immortality is accompanying the couple on their ride. Possibly, Immortality means that Death is not the end, and life does go on in another place. Death seems to be in no hurry as “he knew no haste” (l. 5). Possibly Death is coming at the end of a long life or maybe a long illness. She describes Death as polite and courteous as stated in stanza two “for his civility” (l. 8). His politeness causes her to “put away her labor and leisure” (ll.7-8) to spend time with the gentleman. She personifies the sun “Or rather – He passed us” Dickson continues the ride using metaphors to continue the journey to the final resting place.
West 2
Dickson structures Because I Could Not Stop for Death with metaphors as the speaker is driven by Death to her final resting place in a carriage which rhetorically represents a hearse.
