Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me.

Question

Hey everyone,I was looking for a metaphor to write my "Metaphor essay" on, and i ran across this.I was wondering if this phrase would be considered a metaphor, "Because I could not stop for death?"Also if possible please provide an explanation of why it is a metaphor. I would greatly apprieciate it.Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Without any context, I don't see any meaning in this. What meaning do you see?

Can you provide some context?

Clive

Ilu · Answer

This particular phrase is from a poem by Emily Dickinson. Basically, i think she is metaphorically comparing death to a obstacle on a journey that can't be avoided. Since, as humans we cannot tell when we will encounter death. Here is the poem. I was just wondering if this phrase "Because i could not stop for death" would be considered a metaphor.

Because I could not stop for Death,

He kindly stopped for me;

The carriage held but just ourselves

And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,

And I had put away

My labour, and my leisure too,

For his civility.

We passed the school where children played

At wrestling in a ring;

We passed the fields of gazing grain,

We passed the setting sun.

We paused before a house that seemed

A swelling of the ground;

The roof was scarecely visible,

The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries; but each

Feels shorter than the day

I first surmised the horses' heads

Were toward eternity.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Metaphors can be tricky to define, but I don't see it as one. I see it as personification.

Clive

Ilu · Answer

Hey Clive,

I thought about it, and figured it is not a metaphor on it's own but as a poem.

Thank you.

Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me.

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