This paper analyses these aspects of “beauty” in death within three poems by each author that are commonly associated with the topic; those are "Song of myself", "To Think of Time" and "As at thy Portals also Death" by Walt Whitman, as well as "I heard a fly buzz – when I died", "Because I could not stop for Death" and "I haven’t told my garden yet" by Emily Dickinson. This analysis then allows for a deeper insight into how these two writers make death beautiful in the conclusion.
Death is a topic that is discussed widely in all of poetry. Two very popular poets of 19th century America whose works often centered around the issue are Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Though most of Dickinson’s poetry and large parts of Whitman’s Leaves of Grass deal with this common theme, their poetry is quite different in their writing styles, length, etc.
However, I would argue that both Whitman and Dickinson share a positive view on death, that is among other things depicted by the aesthetic language they use to describe the end of life as well as their belief in immortality or some sort of an afterlife, which is commonly associated with a “beautiful” experience when someone passes on.
Table of Contents
1. Walt Whitman - Song of myself
1.2 To think of Time
1.3 As at Thy Portals Also Death
2. Emily Dickinson - I heard a Fly buzz – when I died
2.2 Because I could not stop for Death
2.3 I haven’t told my garden yet
3. Conclusion - How do these two writers make death beautiful?
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how 19th-century American poets Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson portray death not as a frightening end, but as a "beautiful" and transcendent experience, often linked to the concept of immortality. By analyzing selected poems from both authors, the study explores how their unique literary styles and metaphors transform the finality of death into a natural, life-affirming process.
- Comparison of death imagery in the poetry of Whitman and Dickinson.
- Analysis of the concept of immortality and the afterlife as depicted in their works.
- Comparison of death as a cyclical life process versus a singular, paradoxical transition.
- Examination of personification techniques (e.g., death as a king or suitor).
- Literary analysis of specific poems including "Song of myself" and "Because I could not stop for Death".
Excerpt from the Book
1. Walt Whitman - Song of myself
“What do you think has become of the young and old men? And what do you think has become of the women and children? They are alive and well somewhere” (Whitman 57)
In these lines, it becomes clear to the reader, that the lyrical subject believes in a sort of afterlife. Walt Whitman uses the word “somewhere”, to describe that place, where the deceased go and live on happily. “Somewhere”, could be anywhere and does not further describe anything specifically, except that this place does have to actually exist. (Pascual Muñoz 16)
Although this is typically a key feature of religion, Whitman’s persona seems to belittle organized religion and rather nurture their own spirituality instead.
Summary of Chapters
1. Walt Whitman - Song of myself: Explores Whitman's perception of death as a continuation of life and a natural, positive transition through the lens of spirituality.
1.2 To think of Time: Analyzes the poem’s focus on the natural cycle of life, where death is viewed as a part of an eternal, immortal process.
1.3 As at Thy Portals Also Death: Discusses how Whitman celebrates his mother’s passing as an entrance into a new, sovereign state of existence.
2. Emily Dickinson - I heard a Fly buzz – when I died: Investigates how Dickinson portrays the mundane, ordinary nature of death at the moment of passing.
2.2 Because I could not stop for Death: Explores the metaphor of death as a polite suitor who escorts the persona toward eternity.
2.3 I haven’t told my garden yet: Examines the persona’s apprehension regarding the revelation of mortality to innocent beings.
3. Conclusion - How do these two writers make death beautiful?: Synthesizes the differences and parallels in Whitman’s and Dickinson’s approaches to the aesthetics of death.
Keywords
Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Poetry, Death, Immortality, Afterlife, Reincarnation, Personification, Cycle of life, Mortality, Transcendence, Literary analysis, 19th-century American literature, Aesthetics, Nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores how Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson portray death as a beautiful and transcendent experience rather than a dark or frightening end.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include the concept of immortality, the transition from life to death, the cyclical nature of existence, and the literary personification of death.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to analyze how these two distinct poets use specific poetic styles and metaphors to describe death in a way that suggests hope and continuity.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper uses a qualitative literary analysis, examining specific poems from each author and comparing them with secondary scholarly sources.
What topics does the main body cover?
The main body provides in-depth interpretations of poems like "Song of myself," "Because I could not stop for Death," and "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died," alongside thematic comparisons.
What keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include immortality, poetry, afterlife, cycle of life, personification, and transcendence.
How does Whitman's view of death differ from Dickinson's regarding cycles?
Whitman views death as part of a recurring, infinite life cycle of transformation, whereas Dickinson’s portrayals often suggest a definitive, one-way journey toward eternity.
Why does Dickinson personify death in her poems?
Dickinson uses personification—such as depicting death as a suitor or a king—to make the abstract and complex nature of dying more tangible and paradoxical for the reader.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2020, The Beauty of Death in Whitman’s and Dickinson’s Poetry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1377725
