Death in Poetry: Emily Dickenson and Dylon Thomas

Death is a concept that every human being must accept eventually. Some fight against death while others embrace it. There are even instances in which one may be living but already feel dead. Death is a common topic used in the writing world. Being that it is so universal it gives the reader a real life connection to the characters in a story. Beliefs of death are different amongst human beings. Some people see death as an ending where others see it more as a beginning. The story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner and the poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas both express similar and different feelings towards death. “A Rose for Emily” is a story about an elder woman who was not living when she died. Certain life events cause this woman to refuse and ignore change. Death is an ultimate form of change so it was only natural for Miss Emily to ignore it.

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.

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

Death is commonly viewed as a force that rules over us at all times, but the poems “Death, be not proud”, by John Donne, and the poem, “Because I Could Not Stop for Death”, by Emily Dickinson, paint a different light on the situation. Donne describes death, as something that should fear us rather than us fearing him, for Donne believes that death is not as powerful as we all say he is. While author Harold Bloom of John Donne: Comprehensive Research and Study Guide”, suggests that the poem was written to give people courage than present Death and his false manners. Dickinson, on the other hand sees death as something to be embraced, like a friend or lover, and when he comes we should welcome him with open arms. However, in both “Dickinson’s ‘Because I Could Not Stop for Death”, by Collamer M. Abbott, and “Because I, Persephone, Could Not Stop for Death: Emily Dickinson and the Goddess”, by Ken Hiltner, both suggest alternative views of what the poem could really be about, and what Death truly represents to them. Both Donne and Dickinson show a highly personified representation of death; giving each of their interpretations it’s own powerful personality using different types of figurative language and imagery. However while Dickinson accepts that death comes to everyone and must be embraced, Donne denies the personification that is death because of it’s presentation of power is false, but claims that what comes after is something to be welcomed.

“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...

Dylan Thomas’ free verse poem, “And Death Shall Have No Dominion”, takes place in the abundant sea, an endless ecstasy similar to Heaven. Corresponding with the poem’s setting and the style, the speaker expresses great hope as he convinces the audience that death does not limit people’s lives. The poem alludes to the unity with God after death and establishes the light of hope, shining away people’s fear and pain, in order to deprive death of its dominance on people’s life.

Death is inescapable, therefore demanding attention by all. Throughout American literature there have been many attempts on explaining death through whatever means comprehendible. Most commonly, people rely on their religion to reveal the answers for the questions associated with death. This approach is demonstrated in the poem, “Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children” by Edward Taylor. His religion dictates his attitude towards death and carries him through grief. There are also those who look at death from a much different perspective, less religiously. In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death”, she portrays death as a courtship. She adopts her own image of death disconnected from any religious view. No matter what source, whether it is religious or otherwise, we all have conceptions of death as we trudge onward toward the inevitable. These various conceptions, whether common or criticized, are revealed in the works of Early American Poets such as these.

In Emily Dickinson’s poem Because I Could Not Stop for Death, death is being described as a human characteristic and redefines the conflict between life and the peaceful eternity of death. Considering Dickinson’s poetic history, she was greatly influenced by the seventeenth- century of New England and had a fascination with death. Most of the time death is portrayed as something inevitable, irreversible and scary, but in this poem Dickinson does a great job reversing these ideas into something much more appealing. The authors use of alliteration, personification, and imagery throughout the entire poem helps mold the main themes of life, death, and eternity that she is so prominent for writing about.

Death is one of the only true constants in the universe and is the only guarantee in life. Everyone knows of death and everyone will experience it, but to the living death is still one of life's greatest mysteries. In some cultures death is celebrated and embraced, while in others it is feared. However it is perceived, death holds different meanings for different people. Through the art of poetry a writer can give a reader many different outlooks and maybe a better understanding of life and death.

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.