Life after Death By Ronald

Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I Could not Stop for Death” is a prime example of a life and death situations that is easily comparable to the movie “Ghost” starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. In today’s society people have seen movies, and speculated whether or not the information placed in that particular film is true, especially movies involving death and the life after death. This poem isn’t the actual life after death scenario, but it is the effects leading up to death. One could easily argue that the information placed in the movie is true, and also the same with Emily’s poem.
Emily’s poem explains that death is inevitable, and that no one is above and beyond death. Emily gives step by step scenarios of how death came and slowly took her life away:
He kindly stopped for me-
The Carriage held but just Ourselves-
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste (2578)
With the slow process of her death, Emily explains her life beginning and ending. She illustrates her seeing children at school, which could represent her earlier days as a child. Emily goes on to say that:
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain -
We passed the Setting Sun -
Or rather – He passed Us – (2578)
Emily gave the reader a look back at her life before her death. She established a relationship that showed in her poems with death, which placed him in the driver seat of her life leading up to her demise.
The movie “Ghost” which starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore was a love epic love story that continued even after death. The movie established a love between two people that death couldn’t take away. In the movie Patrick Swayze gets killed, and Demi Moore mourns for her lost. Throughout his death, Patrick is giving life after the fact that he is dead. He witnesses people that aren’t living right, be abducted by demon shadows, which could easily be representing people being taken to hell. He establishes a life and death communication with his widow through a third party. Nevertheless, he is dead, but still has lively emotions as well as feelings that he continues to feel even after death.
The movie “Ghost” and Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I Could not Stop for Death,” are two stories that establish a common bond between life and death. Emily gives you the joy ride to death, and “Ghost” gives the audience a slight step beyond death. The movie also displays the effects leading up to death, but not as vividly explained as Emily’s poem explains it. At the end of the movie, one could argue that Patrick is giving the passage into heaven. Although Emily never establishes a destination after her death, but she gives a colorful ride towards her death. With both of the stories, the audience cannot deny that life before death is not an easy ride, but life after death is the rollercoaster of emotions.


Work Cited
Dickinson, Emily. Because I Could not Stop for Death. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 7th ed. Vol. A. New York: Norton, 2007. 2578. 2008 .

Nature and Emily Dickinson by Michelle

In reading The Wind begun to rock the Grass” written by Emily Dickinson, the theme of nature takes the place of humanity. Quite many of Dickinson’s poems uses nature as metaphors for qualities of humanity ,as well as animal qualities have been attributed to the theme of nature such as leaves having the strength humanity or wind having gender such a being a male. Emily views nature as an imminent danger as well. In the beginning lines of poem “The Wind begun to rock the Grass”, Dickinson writes “The Wind began to rock the Grass/ With threatening Tunes and low/He threw a Menace at the Earth”, Dickinson gives human qualities to the wind such as having a male gender (1-3). Emily expresses nature in many aspects in the poems that she has written, which is similar to the other writers from the nineteenth century such as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne.

Dickinson inspirations developed through the period of Romanticism, which is that of other writers such as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne. According to Nina Baym, author of The Norton Anthology American Literature, notes, “Through the national magazines the family subscribed to and books ordered from Boston, she encountered the full range of English and American literature of her time, including among Americans Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell, Hawthorne, and Emerson” (2555). Dickinson’s “The Wind begun to rock the Grass” points out how nature has the qualities to demolish such as humanity, but through the actions of “The Waters wrecked the sky” (1). Dickinson used the personification of the waters as if it were a man causing destruction to some sort of property.

Emily gave characteristic of personification to nature because of the events that took place in her life. She stayed secluded from people and did not have many friends except for her family. Dickinson usually contributed human qualities to her environment. According to Nina, she stated, “Openly expressive of sexual and romantic longings, her personae reject conventional gender roles” (2556). It seems as if Emily was making a connection between humanity and nature and utilizing her surroundings as the characters. Emily’s poems sometimes raise questions about whether she is referring to nature in its own or if she is talking about people in general. In the words of Nina, she points out, “Her [Emily] ‘nature’ poems offer sharp precise observations but, infused with mingled ecstasy and pain, are often as much as about psychological and spiritual matters as about the specifics of nature” (2556).

In conclusion, Emily uses her surroundings which are established as characters in her poems as humanity. Emily represents Nature in its way of humanity and the many ways it was used in the body of the poems. According to Nina, it was stated the “The result was a poetry that, as is typical of the lyric tradition, focused on the speaker’s response to a situation rather than the details of the situation itself” (2556).



Works cited
Baym, Nina. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th edition. Volume. A. New York: Norton, 2007. (2555-2556).
Dickinson, Emily. “The wind Begun to rock the Grass.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 7th edition. Volume. A. New York: Norton, 2007.

How to be a nonconformist by Marianne

Being a nonconformist and an original thinker has always presented its challenges. These challenges were greater in Victorian society where everyone was expected to know their station in life and abide there. Few moved out of the mainstream. Emily Dickinson’s poems “The Soul Selects her own Society” and “Much Madness is divinest Sense” portray the isolation caused by thinking outside the box.

By separating herself from society, Dickinson was able to contemplate society objectively. Dickinson analyzed the expectations of society and its practices and decided she preferred to opt out of mainstream society and those around her. In her poem, “The Soul Selects her own Society”, Dickinson prefers not to conform and regards her thoughts and her individuality most important and no one can sway her otherwise. Once the inner decision is made, all other voices are shut out: “Then close the valves of her attention / Like stone” (11-12). Even an Emperor arriving at her gate by chariot and kneeling on her mat does not move her.

In American society today it is much easier to be a non conformist than it was in the time of Emily Dickinson. Today, to be openly gay or a single mother or member of a fringe religion is accepted in society. It is true that the majority has never valued individuality and often regards the original thinker as a threat: “Assent- and you are sane/ Demur- and you are straight way dangerous” (6-7). Even if a person’s soul selected its own society, it was much harder to live that life back then and most people did not dare to stand out. Today the rules of society are broadened so that you are able to follow a different drummer and still be in the parade.

Today, in American society at least, there are a vast number of nonconformist groups. Paradoxically, these put pressure on their members to conform to their nonconformist ways. Nondenominational churches are now a virtual denomination. Greenpeace members are expected to share core ideals, beliefs and lifestyle. Counter culture members are expected to shop at Weaver Street Market and buy organic fair trade coffee. In many countries today the pressure to conform is as great as or more so than it was in Victorian society. However, modern America society has fragmented into many subcultures each with their own set of rules. The mainstream has become a narrower stream. Yet being a nonconformist in one’s own subculture may be as difficult today as it was for Ms. Dickinson.




Works cited

Dickinson, Emily. “The Soul selects her own Society”, “Much Madness is diviest Sense”. The Norton Analogy of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007. 2574-75, 2581.

Dickinson and Social Pressures by Katty

A Way Out

The role of women in society has drastically changed for the past few decades. Even though women have achieved a better position in numerous fields in our culture, women’s traditional roles in society still prevail. Despite the effort to be recognized in a society that undermined them, women still are seen as wives and caregivers in today’s society. In the poem “I'm ‘wife’ -- I've finished that --,” written by Emily Dickinson, the poet presents the concept of marriage in a very complex way.

Dickinson’s poem reveals in a very ironic manner the loss of independence of women upon marriage. The first stanza of the poem reads, “I'm ‘wife’ -- I've finished that -- / I'm Czar -- I'm ‘Woman’ now --” (1-3). These lines are significant because they suggest the apparent acceptance of women to marriage. Even though this event was the most common social pressure during the 19th century, it still is considered a relevant issue for women in today’s society as well. For example, a great number of women still are in the category of housewife, taking care of their kids, and financially supported by their husbands. For them, marriage has a major implication which is their loss of independence.

On the other hand, there is another category of women that rebel against rules of society, thus fighting for independence. This group is represented by women entering the labor force. Although many working women have reached professional success and a higher sense of independence, they live a very stressful life trying to manage their busy careers and family affairs at the same time. In a way, that is why marriage is described in Dickinson’s poem as an eclipse: “How odd the Girl's life looks / Behind this soft Eclipse --” (5-6). The “eclipse” suggests the debate that women have between the two worlds: the one in which they will lose independence, and the other one that could set them free.

In conclusion, marriage represents a very complicated subject in any society, especially for women. Their traditional role they play (as wife or caregivers, for instance) is very difficult for them to avoid, for women have been forced to absorb such traditional expectations through decades. There always will be norms in our present society that limit our behavior and keep us away from setting ourselves free from these conventionalisms. The most important thing is to recognize that women are as active as any members of today’s society, and that it is imperative to continue empowering them to succeed, so they can be recognized as any man. At the end of the day, the eclipse will come to an end.
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Works Cited

Dickinson, Emily. "I'm ‘wife’ -- I've finished that --." Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 7th ed. Vol. A. New York: Norton, 2007. 2562.

Social Pressures, by Jimmy

During the time Emily Dickinson was writing her poems, women were expected to be house wives and take care of the children and the home. Now that role has changed. More and more women are going out and getting an education followed by high paying jobs. Things have definitely changed since Dickinson's time and most of it is for the better.
During the time Dickinson was writing her poems women were expected to fall into predetermined roles. They were expected to get married and take care of the children and the household. She says in her poem numbered 194,



Born - Bridalled - Shrouded -

In a Day -

Tri Victory -

"My Husband" - Women say (10-13)



Women were born and raised thinking that they need to grow up and be the best mother and wife they could be. Any thoughts of doing something else were usually frowned upon. It was uncommon for women to have any higher education, let alone a high status job. In today's world that has definitely changed.
In today's world, things look completely different. Women are right in step with men in regards to education and jobs . Many times now you will find that women hold higher positions than men do. Women are CEO's, doctors, senators, just to name a few. Dickinson says, "I'm 'wife' - Ive finished that"(1). She is saying that she is done falling into a predetermined role as a woman and is going to branch out. The stereotypical housewife does still exist, but in a much smaller role. Instead of the majority of women staying home, the majority are working and earning a good living. The social pressure for a woman to be put into the housewife role does not really exist anymore, usually it is by choice now.
It is fair to say that times have definitely changed since Emily Dickinson's time. Women are way more involved and have a major say in what goes on. There really isn't any more pressure to just settle for being a housewife anymore. there is more pressure now for women to get higher education and become successful in the field that they choose.





Works Cited


Dickinson, Emily. "194" ,"225". The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed.Nina Baym. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton 2007. 2561-2562

Patriarchial Times, it still exist by Wanda

“My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun -”(2584) This poem is about Emily Dickinson suppression of life long rage. She called herself the gun because she is upset that she can not be recognized as a poet. She might be suggesting that, at times, she is so mad, she could explode. Today, the work place is an example of a place where women might experience this type of double standard. They perform the same work that their male coworkers, yet they get paid less. Dickinson lived a life of solitude and isolation by choice. currently you are find more and more women opting to be alone. She often retreated to familiar territory, staying in her room. During the time when the family was very patriarchal, she sought to guard her family by keeping quiet. Being out spoken with her writings and demanding notoriety, she would have offended father and the male dominate society. Her father took more interest in her brothers work while ignoring Dickinson’s "needle point." Dickinson's work was diminished, and to some extent, womens work continues to be reduced today. In her poem she declares,

“My Life stood - a Loaded Gun -
In corners - till a Day
The Owner passes - identified -
And carried Me away -”(1-4).

“I’m “wife” - I’ve finished that -”(2562). Here, Dickinson again takes a back seat in the powerful male society as a married woman. She would be free of pain residing in the safe, secure, comfortable place of marriage. She stated that she was done with her childhood. In the Bible, it is written, " When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man,I put away childish things"(1 Corinthians 13:11). Dickinson stated that she had left the confusion and lack of experience behind her. She is a woman now. Accepting that she still has some power when she consummates her union with her husband; she insisted, “I’m Czar - I’m “Woman” now -”(3). There is no need to question who I am when she writes,

“This being comfort - then
That other kind - was pain -
But Why compare?
I’m “Wife”! Stop there!”(9-12)

Like the other two poems that robs women of their power; Dickinson’s poem “Title divine--is mine!” marches women toward the bottom of the hierarchy. It suggest a connection with marriage and religion. Here, she shows her spiritual union with God, she is “The Wife without the Sign-”(1). She recognize women’s subservient position to their husbands. “My Husband” - Women say”(13), meant that wives attempt to enhance their esteem by glorifying their husbands. Dickinson feels that if she marries the Lord and resides with him she will have to sacrifice her artistry and become “Born - Bridalled - Shrouded -”(10). The Bible orders us to, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). She also stated that her life could change in a blink of the eye when she stated, “In a Day”(11). This could be why she wore white and stayed single with the idea that she had to be unblemished. She could not bring herself to God, no other way then pure. Living a simple life she was sure to be accepted into the kingdom of Heaven.

Although, Elizabeth Emily Dickinson was sadden by the denial of publication for many of her poems and her father did not acknowledge her as a poet, it is clear that she was a very gifted poet. Living in a time when patriarchy was a way of life. She continued to write in spite of rejection and disappointment. She must have known that her work would be published or she would not have taken the time to organize them in bundles.

King James Version Bible

Dickinson, Emily. "191,225,764." The Norton Anthology of American Literature.Ed.

Nina Baym, New York. Norton. 2007. (2561, 2562, 2584).

Women’s Freedom by Stephanie

Women’s Freedom
Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830. Her poems were published in 1890. The way in which Dickinson writes is brief, concise in expression, and highly emotional. Dickinson gave her whole soul and intimate ideas in her writing, especially those ideas that were related to women’s role in society. Women like Dickinson fought for their own ideas and rights in a male dominated society. Even though the time has passed, in today’s society some women are still struggling with social pressure.
First of all, women were educated to be raised to only study up until a certain level, and then they had to focus on becoming a “perfect wife” since women were seen as a machine whose only purpose was to take care of their husband, their children, and their home. Dickinson expresses this situation in her poem 194 when she states,
Title Divine, is mine.
The Wife without the Sign –
Acute Degree conferred on me –
Empress of Calvary - (1-4)
Also, the church plays an important role in the life of a woman. When Dickinson wrote her poem, she tries to criticize how the church submits a woman by making her believe that marriage is the only way to obtain God’s grace; that is why she expresses,
In a Day –
Tri Victory –
“My Husband” – Women say
Stroking the Melody-
Is this the way – (11-15)
In the nineteen-century, social expectations of what a woman’s role should be is very important for a society, and society makes many demands on a woman. Therefore, if a woman wants to find her individuality, she will have to fight for the right to choose for herself. But, women have not power at all in the nineteen-century.
Today, for many women, getting an education has been a choice that they have had to make for themselves. Some women have decided to give priority to their families over their education, and there is yet another group of women who have decided to manage both education and family. The work field is a very interesting place to see how women were struggling and, in some cases, still are struggling to obtain a good job position. Not all companies are the same, but many women have struggled to have a job in a male dominant environment. Different women see religion in different ways depending in their unique life experiences. For some women, religion is not an impediment to their success in the field they have chosen, but they still feel that religion has been an obstacle that devalues many women’s ability, and see religion as a tool that will not let women succeed. However, there are many women who believe that religion has given them the respect, the position, and the advantages they need and deserve to succeed as women in everything that they need or decide to do.
If women are or are not still struggling for social pressure, continues to be debatable in many points of view. But the true is that a woman like Dickinson opens the eyes of many women throughout her poems. And the decisions and choices that a women have made in the past, regardless of their backgrounds, are the things that make the women of today more virtuous and powerful.

Work Cited
Dickinson, Emily. “Title Divine.” The Norton Anthology American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007. 2561

Dickinson and Hollywood, by Cara

Emily Dickinson, with the use of rhythm, repetition, character development, and point of view, in her poem “340,” creates ideas of death believed and used in Hollywood today. Dickinson believed death was the end of all life, and the dead went into the ground to rest without consciousness of the living world.

The poem “340” uses both rhythm and the repetition to reveal fearfulness and mysticism of death. Dickinson writes, “And when they all were seated,/A Service, like a Drum-/Kept beating-beating-beating-till I thought/ My mind was going numb-” (2568). The drum-like rhythm is a metaphor for the beating of a heart associated with the fear and the hopeless uncertainty Dickinson feels about death. The repetition of the word “and” throughout the poem and particularly in the last stanza reveals the main character's holding on to life for as long as possible during his or her burial. “And then the Reason, broke,/And I dropped down, and down-/And hit a World, at every plunge,/And Finished knowing-then-”(2568). The word “and” is often used as a conjunction, connecting one idea to another. Similarly, Dickinson in poem “340” uses “and” to connect the two realities of the dead and the living, which temporarily gives the dead a connection to the living until the end of the poem. Similar to Dickinson, Hollywood attatches fear and hopelessness to death, and gives the dead a connection to the living through ghost stories, and the idea of ghosts having unfinished business.

Dickinson's character development and point of view reveal her beliefs about death. She writes, “And then I heard them lift a Box/And creak across my Soul/With those same Boots of Lead, again,/Then space began to toll,/(Dickinson 2568). Dickinson's poem "340" is written in the first person perspective of the main character, a dead person, in a casket during his or her funeral. About the fate of the dead, Dickinson writes, "And then a Plank in Reason, broke,/And i dropped down, and down-/And hit a World, at every plunge, / And Finished knowing-then-"(2568) Dickinson believes the souls of the dead are conscious after their death until they are buried and then go into the ground to rest for all eternity. A popular belief in movies about death parallel Dickinson's belief of the dead resting in the ground without the experience of an afterlife.

Dickinson in her poem, "340" uses rhythm and repetition to express her fear of death and the dead's desire to hold onto life. Hollywood similarly connects death with fear and uses ghosts to express the dead's last bits of connection to life. Dickinson uses character development and point of view to show her personal beliefs about death, which are shadowed in modern day movies as the dead resting in the ground and ceasing to exist.

Works Cited:

Dickinson, Emily. "340." The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym, New York:Norton. 2007. 2568.