Poetry Analysis: What Is It And How To Analyze ✓ Solved

Poetry Analysis What is a Poetry Analysis? To analyze a

To analyze a poem you must break it down into all its important elements and explain how they "work" together to enforce or create meaning. You will need to present your own interpretation of the poem dependent on the elements.

Things to remember before beginning your analysis: An analysis is NOT summary. You will want to provide a brief summary somewhere in the beginning of your analysis, but this should not be the bones. You will have a CLAIM or THESIS about the poem and will supply evidence to support this from the text.

Consider ALL elements of Poetry. You will be analyzing either Dickinson, "Because I could not stop for Death -" OR Dickey, "The Leap." Your Poetry Analysis must develop an outline, beginning with a working thesis statement. What are you trying to persuade your reader about the poem? What evidence do you have from the poem to support your thesis?

Think about the organization of your points/thoughts. Be careful not to confuse the reader as you move through the analysis. Structure your introduction to contain a hook, brief summary, and thesis; then move to your body paragraphs with plentiful evidence from the poem, and lastly conclude to wrap up your analysis.

Your analysis should be done in MLA format using textual evidence from one of the above poems, including a proper Works Cited page at the end. Your analysis should be between 800-1,000 words.

Paper For Above Instructions

Title: Exploring Mortality and Human Connection in Dickinson's Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Emily Dickinson's poem, Because I Could Not Stop for Death, masterfully engages with the theme of mortality and its inevitable relationship with life. This poetry analysis seeks to explore how Dickinson utilizes various poetic elements—such as imagery, personification, and structure—to convey her perspective on death as a companion rather than an adversary. Through a careful examination of these elements, readers can gain a deeper understanding of not only Dickinson's work but also the human experience of confronting death.

Summary of the Poem

Before delving into the analysis, it is essential to provide a brief summary of the poem. Because I Could Not Stop for Death presents a narrative where the speaker, personified as a figure who has "stopped" for death, embarks on a journey with the personification of Death. As they travel together, the speaker reflects on significant life stages, represented by the passing scenery ranging from childhood to old age. The poem concludes as the speaker arrives at a grave, recognizing that the journey with Death has led not to an end, but rather to a shift in existence.

Thesis Statement

This analysis argues that Dickinson skillfully portrays death not as a fearsome end but as a gentle guide leading to a new phase of existence, inviting readers to reconsider their perceptions of mortality.

Imagery and Symbolism

Imagery is a pivotal element in Dickinson's poem, enabling readers to visualize the journey with Death. The poem opens with the speaker stating, "He kindly stopped for me," which immediately sets a tone of amicability and respect toward Death. This personification strips away the traditional fears associated with death, presenting it as an inevitable but gentle force in life.

Moreover, the use of various symbols enhances the poem's depth. As the narrator travels through "the School, where Children strove," readers are introduced to the concept of innocence and childhood, representing the early stages of life. The image of the "Grazing grain" signifies maturity and productivity, demonstrating the passage of time. The final image, "a House," symbolizes the grave, yet it is described in a manner suggesting a place of rest rather than a bleak end. This portrayal nudges the audience to perceive death as a natural transition rather than a definitive conclusion.

Personification of Death

Personification also plays a critical role in this poem, as Dickinson gives Death human attributes. By depicting Death as a courteous companion, she challenges the reader's ingrained perceptions of fear. Lines such as "Death, the kindly driver" and the act of Death halting his carriage for the speaker encourage contemplation on humanity's relationship with mortality. The respectful personification of Death cultivates a sense of acceptance, suggesting that death is merely a part of life’s journey.

Structure and Form

The poem follows a quatrain structure with alternating rhymes, which lends a rhythmic quality to the reading. This deliberate form creates a sense of movement that mirrors the journey the speaker undertakes with Death. The steady rhythm evokes a gentle pacing, reinforcing the poem's overall message of embracing death as a calm transition rather than a sudden disruption. Dickinson's choice to write the poem in a quasi-ballad form allows it to resonate emotionally with readers, making the themes accessible and relatable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's Because I Could Not Stop for Death transcends the traditional views of mortality, portraying Death as a companion inviting individuals on a serene journey toward an inevitable conclusion. Through her adept use of imagery, personification, and structured form, Dickinson reshapes the readers' relationship with death, promoting an understanding that death is not the ultimate end but rather a passage to another phase of existence. By inviting readers to engage with these elements, Dickinson encourages a reinterpretation of mortality that fosters acceptance rather than fear.

Works Cited

• Dickinson, Emily. "Because I Could Not Stop for Death." In The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, edited by Thomas H. Johnson. New York: Little, Brown, 1960.
• Bennett, Andrew, and Nicholas Royle. An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2004.
• Bloom, Harold. Emily Dickinson: Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1985.
• Friedman, Susan Stanford. Coordinates of the Mind: The Poetry of Emily Dickinson. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1977.
• Hirsch, Edward. The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry. W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.
• Juhasz, Suzanne. Poems for the People: A Reader's Companion to Contemporary Poetry. Boulder: Westview Press, 1999.
• Kendall, Tim. The Oxford Handbook of Modern and Contemporary American Poetry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
• Lehman, David. The Best American Poetry 2010. New York: Scribner, 2010.
• Livesay, Grace. Emily Dickinson and Her World. New York: Harper & Row, 1979.
• Poetry Foundation. "Emily Dickinson." www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson.