Question

Because I could not stop for Death

by Emily Dickinson

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 labor, and my leisure too,
For His Civility—

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess—in the Ring—
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain—
We passed the Setting Sun—

Or rather—He passed Us—
The Dews drew quivering and chill—
For only Gossamer, my Gown—
My Tippet—only Tulle—

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground—
The Roof was scarcely visible—
The Cornice—but a Mound—

Since then—'tis Centuries—and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity—

How does the line length in the fourth stanza impact the poem?
Option 1: A. It indicates a shift in the narrator's perspective.
Option 2: B. It indicates the conclusion of one part of the poem.
Option 3: C. It mirrors the quick pace of the carriage in the poem.
Option 4: D. It mirrors the racing thoughts of the narrator.

Answer 1

The fourth stanza's line length in Emily Dickinson's poem indicates a transition in the narrator's perspective from the tangible world to an otherworldly existence, thus the correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question explores how the line length in the fourth stanza of Emily Dickinson's 'Because I could not stop for Death' impacts the poem. Option 1 suggests it shows a shift in the narrator's perspective. Option 2 indicates the end of a poem part. Option 3 implies a reflection of the carriage's pace, while Option 4 suggests it mirrors the narrator's thoughts.

Considering the pacing and structure of Dickinson's poem, the line length in the fourth stanza does not imply a quicker pace but rather a continuation of the calm, measured journey that the poem has taken thus far. The relatively uniform line lengths create a sense of continued movement and progression towards eternity.

The narrator's reflections are indeed measured and contemplative throughout, rather than racing. Therefore, the most fitting answer is:

• Option 1: A. It indicates a shift in the narrator's perspective.

This is because the stanza transitions the narrative from observing life to focusing more on the supernatural and ethereal elements of the journey, such as the setting sun and chilling dews, which suggest a movement away from the tangible world towards an otherworldly existence.