The Dead Billy Collins Analysis

Have you ever found yourself wondering about death or those who’ve passed on before you? If so then understand that you aren’t alone in pondering about this matter. In fact, this subject matter is explored in the two poems, “The Dead” By Billy Collins and W.S. Merwin’s “For The Anniversary of My Death”. The similarities in these two pieces of poetry tie into their gloomy and mournful tone. Collins and Merwin both use simile to emphasize familiar thoughts that have shifted their minds on the topic of death. Along with that, the literary device of sentence structure adds to the image of humans connecting with their deceased relatives. The structure of the sentences also help in convincing the reader of certain emotions that are being expressed

The opening line of the first stanza states, “The dead are always looking down on us, they say, while we are putting on our shoes or making a sandwich,”(Collins 527). The sentence structure of this quote reflects on how those who are deceased look down on those that remain alive. It builds on the idea of being aware in which the living know the dead are watching over them like guardians. While those living go about their days, they forget about their dead relatives and focus more on themselves and the world in which they exist. As the living prosper, ‘The dead’ are patiently waiting for the day they join them in death. One quote connecting to simile states, “which makes them lift their oars and fall silent and wait, like parents, for us to close our eyes”(Collins 527). The dead resemble parents watching over their kids which evokes a comforting feeling. The living can feel security within themselves by knowing that the dead can protect them similar to how parents protect their children. This line can also connect to the living closing their eyes as they die and the dead witnessing

Seeing those points of views come together to relate the concept of those who’ve died and are living brings a sense of connection between them. The living avoid thinking about the dead while the dead are watching over them and wondering when they will join them. Merwin’s “For the Anniversary of My Death” speaks more strongly about the curiosity that humans feel when thinking of death. Meanwhile Collin’s “The Dead” draws the reader’s attention by analyzing those who’ve passed onto the other side and wait for those living to do the same. Humans are so caught up in the physical world that they forget to tap into the spiritual world and the inevitable death they all will face at some point. Both are paying close attention to the two sides of life and death coming