When thinking of death, a person will generally picture a grim reaper or something related to a skull. However, through the use of figurative language like personification, in “Because I Could Not Stop For Death,” Emily Dickinson portrays death as a very civilized and well-mannered person. The poem revolves around the idea that Death is take her to eternity, but the tone is relaxing compared to the initial impression of terror. Dickinson also uses various symbols such as the carriage which represents immortality, or the setting sun which foreshadows the arrival death. The symbols used together with personification help impart her message that death is an assured occurrence, but it doesn’t have to a frightful one as some would imagine.
