Use Emily Dickinson's poem, "Because I could not stop for Death," to answer the questions on this Sample Work.

Question

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 –
The repetition of "passed" alludes to the phrase "to pass on or to die, thus contributing to the theme of overcoming death.
The repetition of "passed" alludes to the phrase "to pass on or to die, thus contributing to the theme of overcoming death.

The narrator passes representations of life (children, crops, and the sun), suggesting a theme of regret for not having appreciated all of life's gifts.
The narrator passes representations of life (children, crops, and the sun), suggesting a theme of regret for not having appreciated all of life's gifts.

The repetition of "passed" alludes to the past, indicating the speaker sees memories from her own life, thus contributing to the theme of having an un-lived life.
The repetition of "passed" alludes to the past, indicating the speaker sees memories from her own life, thus contributing to the theme of having an un-lived life.

The narrator passes representations of life (children, crops, and the sun), symbolizing a journey through li

Answer 1

fe and the moments that define it, which emphasizes the inevitability of death and the importance of cherishing life while one can.

In Dickinson's poem, the imagery of the schoolchildren, the fields of grain, and the setting sun serves to underscore the fleeting nature of life and the experiences we often take for granted. As the narrator journeys with Death, represented as a polite and patient companion, there is a poignant sense of reflection on the life she has lived and the moments that have shaped her existence.

The phrase "we passed" functions not only as a literal movement through time and space but also as a metaphor for the passage of life and the gradual approach of death. Each "passing" moment reminds the speaker of the beauty and transience of life, suggesting that it is only in retrospect that one can fully grasp the significance of these experiences.

Ultimately, the poem conveys themes of mortality, nostalgia, and the inevitability of death, while simultaneously encouraging readers to recognize and appreciate the richness of life before the end arrives. Through the calm acceptance of Death as a companion, Dickinson inspires a contemplative exploration of one's own life journey, reminding us that every moment, no matter how small, holds meaning in the grand tapestry of existence.