Because I Could Not Stop For Death And Crossing The Bar

926 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The theme of death used in literature

Death brings many positive and negative emotions with it, trailing behind the act of death like a slow reminder that everyone will have to endure its grasp one day. Both poems “Because I Could not Stop for Death”, written by Emily Dickinson, and “Crossing the Bar”, written by Alfred Lord Tennyson, are both poems that use symbolism to reflect the subject of death, and the journey to the other side. “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” is a poem that reflects the realization that despite people avoiding death, by living healthy lives, or by medicine, it catches up with everyone eventually, regardless of preparation. Alternatively, in “Crossing the Bar” the character is prepared and almost excited about his upcoming endeavor, there is not much negativity, if any at all, reflected around the characters final journey. Both poems describe death perfectly even though the descriptions are opposite, we are shown the …show more content…

For example, in “Because I Could Not Stop for Death”, the character speaks of “The Carriage [that] held but just Ourselves,” (line 3) this ‘carriage’ may represent the characters coffin, or it could also represent the emotions of regret the character now has to face because their end is coming. Another subject of interest is the other person in the carriage, is it the grim reaper or is it the god on the other side who is there to determine whether or not the character will face “immortality? “(4) “Crossing the Bar” also has some symbolism, there are many references to the calm “tide” the character is sailing on during his journey. Of course another grand source of symbolism is the use of “bar”, in the lines “And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea,” (lines 3-4) in which the character requests that no lifetime debris to be stirred up when the character passes the bar to embark on his

Show More
Related

  • The Theme Of Fate In The Book Thief, Death

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    By using symbolism the author is able to compare fate to important pieces of the plot and emphasize the role it plays in the

    Read More

  • Gothic Elements

    961 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism is used to foreshadow an event in the story. In the passage the author uses symbolism to foreshadow negative events for example "upon the bleak walls - upon the vacant eye-like windows - upon a few rank sedges - and upon a few white

    Read More

  • Symbolism in Ethan From and House of The Spirits

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as a representation of a concept through symbols or underlying meanings of objects or qualities, sometimes abstract, other times more literal. Often times in literature an author or poet employs the concept and use of symbolism where one object is used to refer to something else in order to create an emphasis or convey a point without slamming it in the face of the reader. It’s a person’s individual perception or system of belief that brings them to the true meaning of a specific symbol as it applies to their lives. Sometimes an entire piece of work is an extended metaphor for an idea the author is trying to convey such as in Animal Farm. However, the importance of this literary device is undisputed, in any work. Writers insert symbols into their writing to allude to a feeling, mood, attitude or ideology, without directly stating the perspective or mood intended. The authors of Ethan Frome and The House of Spirits use symbolism to convey both emotions such as anxiety and foreboding, and other things such as the ideas of what a woman should be, morality, and representations of revolutionary ideology.

    Read More

  • The Criticism Of Symbolism In The Birthmark, By Nathaniel Hawthorne

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    For example, Hawthorne’s uses symbolism when he states, “The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mold, degrading them into kindred with the lowest,

    Read More

  • “Because I could not stop for Death” and “Annabel Lee”: Similarities, Differences, and Their Authors

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    In literature, themes shape and characterize an author’s writing making each work unique as different points of view are expressed within a writing’s words and sentences. This is the case, for example, of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Annabel Lee” and Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death.” Both poems focus on the same theme of death, but while Poe’s poem reflects that death is an atrocious event because of the suffering and struggle that it provokes, Dickinson’s poem reflects that death is humane and that it should not be feared as it is inevitable. The two poems have both similarities and differences, and the themes and characteristics of each poem can be explained by the author’s influences and lives.

    Read More

  • Compare Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night And Because I Could Not Wait For Death

    1435 Words  | 3 Pages

    The two poems, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”, by Dylan Thomas and, “Because I Could Not Wait for Death”, by Emily Dickinson, we find two distinct treatments on the same theme, death. Although they both represent death, they also represent it as something other than death. Death brings about a variety of different feelings, because no two people feel the same way or believe the same thing. The fact that our faith is unknown makes the notion of death a common topic, as writers can make sense of their own feelings and emotions and in the process hope to make readers make sense of theirs too. Both Dickinson and Thomas are two well known and revered poets for their eloquent capture of these emotions. The poems both explore death and the

    Read More

  • Concept Of Death in ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night versus ‘Because I Could Not Stop For Death

    1176 Words  | 3 Pages

    Who does not cower in fear upon the thought of death? Almost everybody does! However, people have differing views on the abstract idea of dying. In examining the poem "Because I Could Not Stop For Death? by Emily Dickinson and "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night? by Dylan Thomas, it is evident that the poets use contrasting and comparative techniques in their unique presentations of the concept of death. In the poem "Because I Could Not Stop For Death? Emily Dickinson presents the idea of acceptance of death, whereas in the poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night? Dylan Thomas presents the idea of refusal and opposition to death. Despite the differences in theme, these two poets both use similar figurative language devices, such as metaphors, personification and alliteration as they explore their contrasting ideas pertaining to the concept of death. Through the use of their same literacy techniques, both of the authors have presented two very different perceptions on death: Dickinson's message is acceptance whereas Thomas?is rejection.

    Read More

  • One Death, Different Perspectives.

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    There is probably no one, among people, who has not considered death as a subject to think about or the events, people, and spirits that they would face after death. Also, since we were little kids we were asking our parents what death is and what is going to happen after we die. People have always linked death with fear, darkness, depression, and other negative feelings but not with Emily Dickinson, who was a reclusive poet from Massachusetts who was obsessed with death and dying in her tons of writings. She writes “Because I could not stop for Death” and in this particular poem she delivers a really different idea of death and the life after death. In the purpose of doing that, the speaker encounters death which was personalized to be in a form of gentleman suitor who comes to pick her up with his horse-drawn carriage for a unique death date that will last forever. In fact, she seems completely at ease with the gentleman. Additionally, their journey at the beginning seems pretty peaceful; as they pass through the town, she sees normal events such as children who are playing, fields of grain, and a sunset. After this, dusk takes place and the speakers gets chilly because she was not ready for this journey and she did not wear clothes that would make her feel warm. Consequently, readers get the idea that death is not a choice, so when it comes, that is it. Emily Dickinson, in her poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” uses personification, imagery, and style to deliver her positive and peaceful idea of death and life after death.

    Read More

  • Emily Dickinson's Because I Could Not Stop For Death

    727 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Emily Dickinson’s “Because I Could Not Stop for Death,” she uses the structure of her poem and rhetoric as concrete representation of her abstract beliefs about death to comfort and encourage readers into accepting Death when He comes. The underlying theme that can be extracted from this poem is that death is just a new beginning. Dickinson deftly reassures her readers of this with innovative organization and management, life-like rhyme and rhythm, subtle but meaningful use of symbolism, and ironic metaphors.

    Read More

  • Comparing Crossing The Bar And Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

    586 Words  | 2 Pages

    The poems “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Tennyson and “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas both discuss the complicated nature of death and the dichotomy of the good and bad aspects in death. As these poems are from different centuries, the attitude towards death may have definitely changed over time, which is why the ideas are so drastically different: one describes death is a peaceful journey to reach the end, while the other passionately protests against it, seeing it as a terrible end in itself. “Crossing the Bar” takes and more random form while “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” is more structured. The first poem seems to have random line length with a contrast between the short and long lines, possibly representing that the course of life may come in different lengths, either short or long. The second poem has all long lines and is in the form of a villanelle.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Emily Dickinson

    1993 Words  | 4 Pages

    Emily Dickinson is one of the numerous poets who uses death as the subject of several of her poems. In her poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," Death is portrayed as a gentleman who comes to give the speaker. a ride to eternity. Throughout the poem, Dickinson develops her unusual. interpretation of death and, by doing so, composes a poem full of imagery that is both unique and thought provoking.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Death In Poetry

    885 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people find it hard to imagine their death as there are so many questions to be answered-how will it happen, when, where and what comes next. The fact that our last days on Earth is unknown makes the topic of death a popular one for most poets who looks to seek out their own emotions. By them doing that it helps the reader make sense of their own emotions as well. In the two poems “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickenson and “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, the poets are both capturing their emotion about death and the way that they accepted it. In Dickenson’s poem her feelings towards death are more passionate whereas in Dylan’s poem the feelings

    Read More

  • Because I Could Not Stop for Death

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    Because I Could Not Stop for Death is proclaimed to be Emily Dickinson’s most famous poem. This poem reveals Emily Dickinson’s calm acceptance of death. She portrays death being a gentleman that surprises her with a visit. Emily illustrates everyday scenes into a life cycle. While her metaphors explore death in an imitable way, her lines often contain as much uncertainty as meaning.

    Read More

  • Themes of Death and Immortality in Emily Dickinson's Poetry

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Emily Dickinson’s poetry there is a reoccurring theme of death and immortality. The theme of death is further separated into two major categories including the curiosity Dickinson held of the process of dying and the feelings accompanied with it and the reaction to the death of a loved one. Two of Dickinson’s many poems that contain a theme of death include: “Because I Could Not Stop For Death,” and “After great pain, a formal feeling comes.”

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis Of Alfred Lord Tennyson's Crossing The Bar

    1098 Words  | 3 Pages

    Since its original publication in 1889, Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar” consistently appears as the final poem in all collections of his work. Written late in Tennyson’s life, the poem seems to serve as a reflection on the inevitability of death while being simultaneously inviting, as the poem asks for the audience not to mourn in a traditional sense. Unlike many of Tennyson’s other works, this poem does not fully envelop the audience in a sense of melancholy; instead, “Crossing the Bar” invites a stronger, more final contemplation on the cyclical nature of life and death. I argue iambic meter with irregular feet, consistent end rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor are essential formalist aspects of “Crossing the Bar” that work in

    Read More

More about Because I Could Not Stop For Death And Crossing The Bar

Open Document