Bryant vs. Dickinson

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Bryant vs. Dickinson

Emily Dickinson presents death in the poem “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” through the use of personification and the use of extended metaphor. William Cullen Bryant presents death through the use of the analogies in the poem “Thanatopsis.” Although each poet presents death differently, the meanings are similar.

In “Thanatopsis, ” Bryant influences the reader to accept death as all living things’ fate. Bryant explains death by nature’s laws and the fact that nature’s creatures must abide by these laws. In lines 26-28, Bryant explains how an individual must abide by these laws and surrender to the earth that nourished the living. “To be a brother to the insensible rock and to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain turns with his share, and treads upon.” (Bryant; 26/28). Through one’s fear of consciousness of time in our lives, Bryant tries to give the reader advice that one must truly accept their life and it’s mortality.

“Because I Could Not Stop for Death,” Dickinson influences the reader that death is a courteous gentleman instead of a terrifying figure and that sooner or later the gentleman will come to take one’s life. Many people aren’t willing to stop for death, but are taken away. In the poem, the poet puts away concerns of work and leisure. This is a reminder that death is the end of life and energy. The poet rides in a carriage with Death and immortality. During the journey, pleasant scenes of the poet’s past are passed. Once the carriage passed the setting sun suggests the inevitable end of mortal time. Beyond the sun, the dark earth and dew send chills. This is the final transformation of life to death. The carriage becomes a hearse, and the poet is taken to her grave t...

... middle of paper ...

...Grain-

We passed the Setting Sun-

Or rather-He passed Us-

The Dews drew quivering and chill-

For only Gossamer, my Gown- 15

My Tipper-only Tulle-

We paused before a House that seemed

A Swelling of the Ground-

The Roof was scarcely visible-

The Cornice-in the Ground- 20

Since then-‘tis Centuries-and yet

Feels shorter than the Day

I first surmised the Horses’ Heads

Were toward Eternity-

---------------------------------------------

Bibliography:

Death compared and contrasted in "Thanatopsis" and "Because I Could Not Stop For Death."

Bryant, William Cullen. “Thanatopsis.” Adventures in American Literature. Ed.

Pegasus. Orlando: Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1989. 153-4.

Dickinson, Emily. “Because I Could Not Stop for Death.” Adventures in American

Literature. Ed. Pegasus. Orlando: Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1989. 329.

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