Question
How do the settings of "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" and "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" differ?
Traveling in the former represents a journey toward death, while the setting of the latter shows that the speaker is well grounded.
The landscape in the former represents a worshipful attitude toward nature, while the natural setting is only symbolic in the latter.
The setting of the former is separate from the poem’s themes, while the setting of the latter is merely a backdrop for a larger theme.
The countryside setting in the former creates a dreamlike mood, while the setting of the latter creates a mood of artificial happiness. 2Why is the image of the setting sun most likely not described in great detail in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death"?
It is a common symbol of death that requires little description.
It is a part of the plot that does little to contribute to the theme.
It is not meant to be seen as an important symbol within the poem.
It is not a significant aspect of the mood created within the poem.3Read the quotation from "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church."
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.
What is the most likely reason for the poet to oppose the phrases “tolling the Bell” and “sings” in these lines?
The poet is expressing her belief that the second, more natural option is far more desirable than the first option.
The poet is hinting that religious worship should be considered a gloomy and serious activity.
The poet is suggesting that those who worship in nature are more formal than those who worship in church.
The poet is contrasting her attitude about religion with her feelings about the natural world, which remains largely unappreciated.4What does the first stanza of "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" suggest about the speaker’s view of religious customs?
She does not believe in creating religious customs.
She participates in religious customs in an unconventional way.
She finds religious customs to be tedious.
She participates only in religious customs that relate to nature.5A clergyman is an official leader within an organized religion. Why does Dickinson call God “a noted Clergyman” in "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church"?
She is trying to convince readers of the seriousness of her worship.
She is expressing her respect for the members of the church clergy.
She is poking gentle fun by suggesting that God is the supreme clergy.
She is expressing appreciation for those who discuss God with others.6Read the lines from "Because I Could Not Stop for Death."
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
What is the purpose of the words “labor” and “leisure”?
They are aspects of life that frustrate the speaker.
They are elements of life that the speaker wants to show Death.
They are aspects of life that the speaker is leaving.
They are elements of life that the speaker will not miss.
Traveling in the former represents a journey toward death, while the setting of the latter shows that the speaker is well grounded.
The landscape in the former represents a worshipful attitude toward nature, while the natural setting is only symbolic in the latter.
The setting of the former is separate from the poem’s themes, while the setting of the latter is merely a backdrop for a larger theme.
The countryside setting in the former creates a dreamlike mood, while the setting of the latter creates a mood of artificial happiness. 2Why is the image of the setting sun most likely not described in great detail in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death"?
It is a common symbol of death that requires little description.
It is a part of the plot that does little to contribute to the theme.
It is not meant to be seen as an important symbol within the poem.
It is not a significant aspect of the mood created within the poem.3Read the quotation from "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church."
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.
What is the most likely reason for the poet to oppose the phrases “tolling the Bell” and “sings” in these lines?
The poet is expressing her belief that the second, more natural option is far more desirable than the first option.
The poet is hinting that religious worship should be considered a gloomy and serious activity.
The poet is suggesting that those who worship in nature are more formal than those who worship in church.
The poet is contrasting her attitude about religion with her feelings about the natural world, which remains largely unappreciated.4What does the first stanza of "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" suggest about the speaker’s view of religious customs?
She does not believe in creating religious customs.
She participates in religious customs in an unconventional way.
She finds religious customs to be tedious.
She participates only in religious customs that relate to nature.5A clergyman is an official leader within an organized religion. Why does Dickinson call God “a noted Clergyman” in "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church"?
She is trying to convince readers of the seriousness of her worship.
She is expressing her respect for the members of the church clergy.
She is poking gentle fun by suggesting that God is the supreme clergy.
She is expressing appreciation for those who discuss God with others.6Read the lines from "Because I Could Not Stop for Death."
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
What is the purpose of the words “labor” and “leisure”?
They are aspects of life that frustrate the speaker.
They are elements of life that the speaker wants to show Death.
They are aspects of life that the speaker is leaving.
They are elements of life that the speaker will not miss.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
1. A
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. C
Brief reasons:
1. The carriage ride in “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” literalizes a journey toward death; in “Some Keep…” the speaker stays at home, grounded in a personal, domestic worship.
2. The setting sun is a familiar death symbol, so Dickinson needs only a brief mention.
3. The poet favors the natural, gentler “sings” over the formal “tolling the Bell.”
4. The speaker keeps Sabbath unconventionally (at home, with nature) rather than attending church.
5. Calling God a “noted Clergyman” is gently ironic—God as the ultimate preacher.
6. “Labor” and “leisure” are parts of life the speaker is leaving behind.
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. C
Brief reasons:
1. The carriage ride in “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” literalizes a journey toward death; in “Some Keep…” the speaker stays at home, grounded in a personal, domestic worship.
2. The setting sun is a familiar death symbol, so Dickinson needs only a brief mention.
3. The poet favors the natural, gentler “sings” over the formal “tolling the Bell.”
4. The speaker keeps Sabbath unconventionally (at home, with nature) rather than attending church.
5. Calling God a “noted Clergyman” is gently ironic—God as the ultimate preacher.
6. “Labor” and “leisure” are parts of life the speaker is leaving behind.