Hi, can someone please paraphrase the poem "Because I Could Not Stop For Death," by Emily Dickinson line by line? I really don't understand it! Thank you
You may find this site helps you to paraphrase this poem.
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/stop.html
Thank you!
You're welcome. :-)
Of course, I'd be happy to help paraphrase Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop For Death" line by line. Before we begin, it's important to remember that interpreting poetry is subjective, and different readers may have different interpretations. So, while I'll provide you with a paraphrase, please be aware that there may be multiple ways to understand the poem. Now, let's proceed:
Line 1:
"Because I could not stop for Death"
Paraphrase: Since I was unable to pause my life for Death's arrival
Line 2:
"He kindly stopped for me"
Paraphrase: Death graciously halted and waited for me
Line 3:
"The Carriage held but just Ourselves"
Paraphrase: The carriage carried only Death and me, with no other companions
Line 4:
"And Immortality"
Paraphrase: Along with Immortality, meaning that Death and Immortality were present in the carriage
Line 5:
"We slowly drove — He knew no haste"
Paraphrase: We traveled at a leisurely pace; Death did not rush
Line 6:
"And I had put away my labor and my leisure too"
Paraphrase: I had set aside my work and my free time
Line 7:
"For His Civility"
Paraphrase: In appreciation of His courteousness or politeness
Line 8:
"We passed the School, where Children strove"
Paraphrase: We passed by a school where children were engaged in activities
Line 9:
"At Recess — in the Ring"
Paraphrase: They were playing during their break, possibly in a circle or ring
Line 10:
"We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain"
Paraphrase: We went by fields of wheat or other grain crops
Line 11:
"We passed the Setting Sun"
Paraphrase: We observed the sun as it was descending in the sky, ultimately setting
Line 12:
"Or rather — He passed Us"
Paraphrase: Or rather, Death overtook us as we made our journey together
Line 13:
"The Dews drew quivering and chill —"
Paraphrase: The evening moisture caused a shivering and chilling sensation
Line 14:
"For only Gossamer, my Gown —"
Paraphrase: I was only clothed in a very light, delicate material
Line 15:
"My Tippet — only Tulle —"
Paraphrase: My scarf or wrap was made only of a sheer fabric called tulle
Line 16:
"We paused before a House that seemed"
Paraphrase: We stopped in front of a house that appeared
Line 17:
"A Swelling of the Ground —"
Paraphrase: The ground around the house was raised or bulging
Line 18:
"The Roof was scarcely visible —"
Paraphrase: The roof of the house was barely noticeable
Line 19:
"The Cornice — in the Ground —"
Paraphrase: The decorative molding of the house was buried in the ground
Line 20:
"Since then — 'tis Centuries — and yet"
Paraphrase: Since that time, it feels like centuries have passed, but still
Line 21:
"Feels shorter than the Day"
Paraphrase: It seems shorter than a single day
Line 22:
"I first surmised the Horses' Heads"
Paraphrase: I initially speculated about the horses' heads
Line 23:
"Were toward Eternity —"
Paraphrase: That they were heading toward or symbolizing eternity
Line 24: