The speaker in Dickinson's poem is not at all afraid of Death. In fact, she says that Death “kindly stopped” for her and took her into his carriage along with Immortality. There is no fear or anxiety. The speaker seems comfortable with her companion. Death is civil, and she is fine with putting away her labor and leisure to go with him.

Death does not hurry. They travel along slowly, and the speaker gets one last look at the world. She calmly observes the fields and the children in the schoolyard as her companion drives along, and she notices the setting sun. The speaker is not even bothered by the mysterious house that Death pauses in front of. This house seems buried in the ground, and we understand that it is a tomb. The speaker must leave her body behind, but this is not a cause for concern either. She is ready.

In the final stanza, we learn that centuries have passed since Death came for the speaker, yet to her it feels like not even a full day. She seems content and even happy, for in the companionship of Death she is journeying toward eternity. Death is not an enemy but rather a friend, for he has taken the speaker with him on a journey into eternal life.