Death and Immortality Emily Dickinson

Death Remember cultural significance of C19th Remember cultural significance of C19th Deathbed watches/vigils (from 13), highly ritualistic funerals, mementoes of the dying (hair in locket) part of society. Deathbed watches/vigils (from 13), highly ritualistic funerals, mementoes of the dying (hair in locket) part of society. Vigils important as it was when the soul left the body to meet the redeemer Vigils important as it was when the soul left the body to meet the redeemer Only completely unknowable experience: Only completely unknowable experience: tuberculosis & recurring theme of Dickinson’s poetry. She’s rarely sentimental about death ‘few in Emily Dickinson’s world could put death out of mind, for it was daily and too near’ (Cynthia Griffin Wolff) ‘few in Emily Dickinson’s world could put death out of mind, for it was daily and too near’ (Cynthia Griffin Wolff)

591 I heard a fly buzz when I died Spectacle/fascination with death element of Puritan society Spectacle/fascination with death element of Puritan society Subversion of tone of mortuary poetry Subversion of tone of mortuary poetry Sense of shock, dislocation in 1 st line creating an off-handed, detached response to death Sense of shock, dislocation in 1 st line creating an off-handed, detached response to death Behaviour of death revealed direction of the afterlife Behaviour of death revealed direction of the afterlife Instead of anticipation of ‘the last onset’ is the buzzing of a fly Instead of anticipation of ‘the last onset’ is the buzzing of a fly Is the corruption of the body all that awaits us in death? Is the corruption of the body all that awaits us in death?

280 I felt a funeral in my brain Psychological death becomes merged with a physical death. Psychological death becomes merged with a physical death. Ends with the mind’s final plunge into the abyss of despair Ends with the mind’s final plunge into the abyss of despair Funeral image of course suggests that something has died in her, emphasis on the emotional experience Funeral image of course suggests that something has died in her, emphasis on the emotional experience Repetition of ‘treading’ and ‘beating’ suggests a relentless force acting upon the mind, something rhythmic and repetitious and numbing. Repetition of ‘treading’ and ‘beating’ suggests a relentless force acting upon the mind, something rhythmic and repetitious and numbing. Alliteration of b suggests a thumping that becomes increasingly unbearable & oppression builds with image of feet pounding up and down. Alliteration of b suggests a thumping that becomes increasingly unbearable & oppression builds with image of feet pounding up and down. Simile of the drum Simile of the drum Intense sounds: treading, beating, creaking, building up to synaesthetic description of space itself appearing ‘to toll’. At this point it appears as though there is nothing in the world but a tolling bell, and the speaker herself is reduced to an ear, isolated from everything but the deafening bell which fills her mind with one shattering tone. Intense sounds: treading, beating, creaking, building up to synaesthetic description of space itself appearing ‘to toll’. At this point it appears as though there is nothing in the world but a tolling bell, and the speaker herself is reduced to an ear, isolated from everything but the deafening bell which fills her mind with one shattering tone. Breaking of the plank = at the loss of reason, no rational thought left to support her at all. Breaking of the plank = at the loss of reason, no rational thought left to support her at all. Note breakdown in rhyme scheme as poem progresses Note breakdown in rhyme scheme as poem progresses Left with the dash Left with the dash Descent into despair. Madness? Descent into despair. Madness?

712 Because I could not stop for Death Personification of death as a charming & courteous gentleman caller, note absence of fear, awe or dread. Personification of death as a charming & courteous gentleman caller, note absence of fear, awe or dread. C19 th decorum requires a chaperone = Immortality C19 th decorum requires a chaperone = Immortality Metaphorical significance of schoolyard, fields of grain & the setting sun? Metaphorical significance of schoolyard, fields of grain & the setting sun? Sunset becomes the border between life & death Sunset becomes the border between life & death VOCABULARY VOCABULARY Gossamera thin gauze or silk fabric (top) Gossamera thin gauze or silk fabric (top) Tippeta cape or short cloak (bottom UK) Tippeta cape or short cloak (bottom UK) Tullea fine net fabric Tullea fine net fabric Corniceplaster moulding at the top Corniceplaster moulding at the top of a wall or building

712 Because I could not stop for Death Anaphoric repetition of ‘we passed’ is used to emphasise a boundary being crossed & the movement towards a place outside of time and change Anaphoric repetition of ‘we passed’ is used to emphasise a boundary being crossed & the movement towards a place outside of time and change Rhythm; despite being a poem about death the rhythm is pleasant, soothing & regular suggesting a peaceful effect Rhythm; despite being a poem about death the rhythm is pleasant, soothing & regular suggesting a peaceful effect Look at first line of each stanza. Stanza 4? Change from a 4 stress to a 3 – into death? Look at first line of each stanza. Stanza 4? Change from a 4 stress to a 3 – into death? Alliteration & the icy sounding I sounds create a damp and cold mood. Clearly not just a change in temperature Alliteration & the icy sounding I sounds create a damp and cold mood. Clearly not just a change in temperature Stanza 5 return to iambic tetrameter but without casual and serene tone as they approach a fresh grave Stanza 5 return to iambic tetrameter but without casual and serene tone as they approach a fresh grave Stanza 6 tense change; reflection suggesting speaker already dead, speaking from Eternity. Stanza 6 tense change; reflection suggesting speaker already dead, speaking from Eternity. Dash- no closure Dash- no closure Does death lead to immortality? Does death lead to immortality? No peaceful union after death with a divine being, No peaceful union after death with a divine being, just a sense of loss, of timeless separation from life