The School Poem

|Spend about 1 hour on this section. Think carefully about the poems before you write your answer. |

In literature, themes shape and characterize an author’s writing making each work unique as different points of view are expressed within a writing’s words and sentences. This is the case, for example, of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Annabel Lee” and Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death.” Both poems focus on the same theme of death, but while Poe’s poem reflects that death is an atrocious event because of the suffering and struggle that it provokes, Dickinson’s poem reflects that death is humane and that it should not be feared as it is inevitable. The two poems have both similarities and differences, and the themes and characteristics of each poem can be explained by the author’s influences and lives.

The idea of death can be, and is an enormously disturbing, unknown issue in which many people can have many different opinions. To some individuals, the process of life can progress painstakingly slow, while for others life moves too fast. In the excerpt We Were the Mulvaneys, by Joyce Carol Oates, a innocent farm boy named Judd Mulvaney has an eye-opening encounter by a brook near his driveway. During this encounter, Judd faces a chain of feelings and emotions that lead to his change of opinion of the issues of life and death, and change as a character. This emblematic imagery of life and death, as well as jumpy, and retrospective tones benefit the development of Judd as an innocent child as he begins to change into a more conscious and aware adult.

With the major differences in these works of writing, there are also many similarities among the two. Both Shakespeare and Frost are trying to say death is inevitable. It takes place at different times and under different circumstances for everyone, but none-the-less, it cannot be avoided. Everyone also deals with death in their own way. Macbeth almost discards the news of his wife’s death, as he talks about life itself and how he feels about it. The people in Frost’s poem are also unfazed about the death of the boy. Another similarity is that in both poems, the people move forward with their lives. This is a reflection of human nature; most of us don’t grieve forever, but eventually find a point where we’re able to accept the death a loved one.

Death is something that at some point will come to each of us and has been explored in many forms of literature. “The Raven” and “Incident in a Rose Garden” are two poems that explore common beliefs and misconceptions about death. Though both poems differ in setting, tone, and mood there are surprising similarities in the literary tools they use and in the messages they attempt to convey. The setting and mood establish the tone and feel of a poem. In “The Raven” we are launched into a bleak and dreary winters night where a depressed narrator pines for his dead girlfriend.

Two literary pieces, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by, Dylan Thomas and “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by, Emily Dickinson are both poems that discuss the topic of death. While there are some similarities and comparisons between the two poems, when it comes to the themes, both poets writing styles are quite different from one another which makes each poem unique. Thomas and Dickinson both use identical figurative language devices and other literature symbolisms as they explain their main themes which contrasts the differences to the concept of death. These distinct variations between poems are apparent in both the form, and how the choice of words is used in the poems. Both of the authors have presented two very different ideas on death. The poems are well distinguished literature devices, they share minor similarities and differences between each other and how they present the meaning of death to a toll.

There are stories that have been written that can be similar and different in many ways. This can be seen through the story, “Death of a Moth” by Virginia Woolf and Annie Dillard. Both writers share a similar topic, though their style of narration can compare and differ in many ways. A theme throughout the story is death. Both authors take on a different view of death. While death can be seen as a haunting experience or the end of a life. There are other interpretations that can be made on this one topic. Both authors have twists in their stories with different ideas, which aid to reveal their narration and expression regarding death.

Death is part of the human life cycle, approximately 151,600 people die each day. Everyone wonders how they will die, if they suffer, if it’s tragic or if it’s just simply peaceful. In each of the three poems the main focus is death. Each poem shows a different feeling about death. “Thanatopsis” by William Bryant, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult and “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas, all have different meanings of death.

Mary Oliver’s poem, “Sleeping in the Forest,” presents a peaceful and vivid representation of death and its relationship with nature. As the poem begins, the reader is introduced to the earth welcoming the speaker back into the realm of nature. Man was created from the dust of the earth and when we die, our bodies return to the dust. However, this poem presents a more beautiful image of what death is composed of. Death is often portrayed as being frightening and disturbing. When individuals are presented with the thought of death, they often push this thought away out of fear and ignorance. Everyone will die someday whether we ignore the thought of death or not. However, Oliver creates a relaxing and welcoming image for the reader on what death (ideally) is. Obviously, since Oliver is still alive, she doesn’t know what death feels like. However, the way she describes death, I hope that it feels like sleeping in a forest; full of stars and enchantment.

The two poems are similar in their corresponding feeling of dread for death. Using diction,

Sleep is another common symbol for death, and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is filled with the essence of sleep. Every element of the poem works together to create a lullaby effect, calling the speaker and reader to a "lovely, dark and deep" sleep (474). The gentle imagery of the downy soft snow and easy wind, combined with the cadence and meter of the poem creates a lulling, rocking, soothing effect. The AABB rhyme scheme and the iambic quatrameter create a lullaby feeling, easing the reader in to a comfortable sleep.

I think that the poet is trying to tell us to live life to the fullest

There are differences in these two poems such as the setting and where the narrator went after he/she died. In ?Because I could not stop for Death?, the setting is outside where it is cool. I know this because the poets write, ?We slowly drove-,? and ?The dews drew quivering and chill-? In the poem, ?I heard a Fly buzz when I died?, the setting is in a warm and moist room. I know this because the poet writes, ??The Stillness in the Room Was like the Stillness in the Air-?. The narrator in ?Because I could not stop for Death?, died and had an after life where death is leading him/her. The poets tells us this, ?Since then-tis Centuries- and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses Heads Were toward Eternity?. The narrator in the poem, ?I heard a Fly buzz when I died?, did not have an after life. I know this because the poet writes, ?And when the Windows failed- and then I could not see to see?. These are a few differences between the two poems.

In the poems “Because I Could Not Stop for Death”, by Emily Dickinson and “Home Burial”, by Robert Frost, literary elements are used throughout both poems to get the message the authors are trying to portray. One main important literary element that is used to entice the reader, is symbolism, because it helps the authors describe something without actual describing it. Symbolism is also used because it shows how significant an object is. Characterization is also an important literary technique because it, gives the reader an idea on how the character would act, work, and their values in life. Death is a topic that is used in both poems. Also, every character express their opinion about death differently.

On the contrary, in his poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” Robert Frost suspects that each and every individual has a timely death and that people should strive to fulfill their commissions before giving in to death. Although still elaborate, his poem is a lot less emotional poem than Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” Frost primarily utilizes imagery to illustrate an experience to astutely share his beliefs. In short, his poem is about a gentleman travels into the woods with his horse one night, as described in the poem’s title. The man suddenly comes to know that he cannot afford to pass because he has something to fulfill before he gives into death.