In the Emily Dickinson poems "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" and "I Heard a Fly Buzz-When I Died" one of life's greatest certainties is addressed through the use of structure, diction and syntax. ... Through the use of the adverb such as "kindly" (Kennedy 385) Dickinson makes death seem passive and unobtrusive. ... Another way Dickinson uses the format of the poem to convey a message to the reader is through punctuation and word placement. ... Emily Dickinson's views on death changed from poem to poem. ... In these poems, Dickinson has also suggested the uncertainty and inab...

• Word Count: 919
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The two poems by Emily Dickinson, "I Heard a Fly Buzz – When I Died" and "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," revolve around the theme of dying. ... Dickinson writes, "I willed my keepsakes, signed away what portion of me be assignable and then it was, there interposed a fly" (888). ... Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" serenely describes how the speaker is escorted by Death in his carriage. ... It is ironic that Dickinson writes of Deaths civility and politeness during a time that is mostly associated with anger and sadness. ....

• Word Count: 949
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," she uses various types of figurative language and imagery (personification, metaphor, and symbol) to portray the idea that death is not a dreadful event, but actually a pleasant experience. Emily Dickinson uses personification, giving human like qualities to an object or idea. ... The best image Dickinson reveals is the sense of touch. ... Emily Dickinson uses a few different poetic devices to redefine death. ... Dickinson is trying to eliminate that fear and idea by showing it as an enjoyable welcome. ...

• Word Count: 541
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In "I heard a Fly buzz-; Emily Dickinson expresses to her readers about the emotional instability she feels while on her deathbed. ... Dickinson believes are imperative when expressing what she is feeling prior to her death. ... Dickinson herself. ... Dickinson and the anticipation of her death. ... Dickinson is consumed by the fly, be it the buzzing or by watching it. ...

• Word Count: 908
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

"I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" Life, death, and reincarnation are portrayed in Emily Dickinson's poem "I felt a Funeral, in my brain". The use of words associated with death gives the poem an ominous and dark karma. At the beginning of this poem the feelings of grief and pain are evident. Throu...

• Word Count: 1034
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Edgar Allen Poe is one of the more famous poets known for his dark, mysterious poems. Poe had a different view on the world than most people, almost similar to that of Emily Dickinson. His poems often have a deeper meaning hidden behind the dark scenes. Poe's poem "A Dream within a Dream" contains t...

• Word Count: 1125
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Theme: The poem deals, among other things, with the relationship between nature and humanity. At the start the poet is just observing the bird ("He did not know I saw"). She does not interfere, but she is not passive, as her observations are quite detailed e.g. noticing the Beetle. She is a presence in the poem from line 2, but we don't find out much about her as the focus is on the bird. The human interference, finally, in line 14 ("I offered him a crumb") disturbs the scene - the bird flies away ("he unrolled his feathers"). ...

• Word Count: 605
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School