Student Question
In "Because I Could Not Stop for Death", are any words used in an unexpected context?
Quick answer:
In "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," Emily Dickinson uses words in unexpected contexts to highlight the poem's themes. "Immortality" is ironic, suggesting eternal life, not an end. "Civility" and "kindly" describe Death as polite, contrary to typical perceptions. "Passed" signifies movement with Death, not loss. "House" refers to a grave, not a home. These choices emphasize a contemplative, rather than fearful, view of death, challenging traditional associations.
The speaker uses several words out of the usual context to emphasize her journey toward Death.
The first word used in an unexpected context is in the fourth line.
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality. (Stanza 1)
One would not expect the word “immortality” used in this context. The fact that the carriage held immortality would seem to assume that if you rode in the carriage you would never die, which is an either wonderful or very creepy concept. In this case it is rather an ironic use of the concept, meaning that death is not really death, but immortality. The speaker feels that when she (or he) dies, she will not really die, but live forever.
In the eighth line, we see another unexpected word,
And I had put away
My labor...
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and my leisure too,
For His Civility (Stanza 2)
We really would not expect to see the word “Civility” here. People normally do not think of Death as civil, which means polite. Really, civil? My goodness, who knew. It is nice to know that when we come to the end, Death is kind and civil. The speaker was in a hurry, and could not stop for him, so he was kind enough to stop for her, but at least he was civil toward her! We think of Death as mean and scary, maybe with a pitchfork or a scythe, but no need! There is no Grim Reaper in this poem. This Death is a gentleman all the way.
As the poem goes on, there are images that seem out of place in a poem about death (like schools), that remind us that this is a commonplace day. The last stanza brings us to another unusual word.
Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity – (Stanza 6)
Here we have the word “Centuries,” being compared to the day. It is unexpected because it seems to imply that the woman died long ago, and she is describing her death. We would not expect the word because a century means one hundred years, and it is quite a long time. Centuries have not passed since the poem’s publication, and it is out of place. It implies a general timelessness to the poem, especially given the line about “yet
Feels shorter than the Day” she went to Eternity.
On a general note, you will see that there are many words that are capitalized throughout the poem because Dickinson wants to draw attention to them. The words I have chosen are generally among them. The capitalized words are not normally proper nouns, but they are things that stand out along the journey. The emphasis emphasizes her journey toward Death.
Most of us will not be so cheerful on our journey toward death. Although most depictions of death do not personify it as a person, there are some in literature that do, and occasionally Death is not the cheerless, cruel being society has led us all to imagine!
Are any words in "Because I could not stop for Death" used unexpectedly?
"Kindly," "passed,"and "house" are words that Dickinson uses in an unfamiliar or unexpected way in "Because I could not stop for Death."
Dickinson's depiction of death in the poem is unexpected. Her descriptions of it follow suit. The use of "kindly" is unexpected. One would not normally associate Death with politeness, but Dickinson's reflective capacity about death compels her to do so. The fact that Death is courteous and responds to the speaker in a "kindly" manner can be seen as unfamiliar. It is a different association than traditional expectations surrounding the purveyor of the ending of life.
The use of "passed" is another word employed in an unexpected manner. "Passed" and "death" usually reflect sadness and mourning, such as when someone has "passed on." The word indicates leaving others behind. However, when Dickinson uses it, "passed" indicates movement, progressing along a path. The speaker talks about how she and Death passed a school yard at recess, the "Fields" of grain, and "the Setting Sun" "passed" them: "Or rather – He passed Us –." In the use of "passed," Death and the speaker, with Immortality, travel together as companions: "We passed ...." They drove together in "the Carriage," with "Immortality" as a third companion, passing through life toward "Eternity": "the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity –." There is no mourning, rather a contemplative mood struck.
Finally, "house" is used in a very unfamiliar manner. The idea of a "house" is accustomed to family life and the hearth. However, Dickinson uses it as a reference to a grave and coffin: "The Cornice – in the Ground –." This has become the "home" of the speaker, one where time has freely "passed": "Since then – 'tis Centuries –." This use of "house" reminds the reader that Death "kindly" waits for everyone. The term reflects a final destination. Given the traditional associations regarding death, using "house" to communicate such a reality is unexpected.