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How do you think the speaker feels about the state of death and what clues in the poem prompt this interpretation?

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Final answer:

The speaker in the poems expresses a multifaceted view of death, combining themes of mortality and desire with reflective, non-melancholic tones. Vivid juxtapositions and images, along with an inquisitive tone, characterize Dickinson's contemplative yet mindful approach to the omnipresence of death.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker in the poems appears to have a complex relationship with the concept of death. In the first poem, death is described as a constant reminder of a life that was lost involuntarily, suggesting a haunting, pervasive presence that follows the poet. This notion of death permeates their worldview, linking it to a memory of the speaker's mother and her customs, which implies a sense of nostalgia and cultural connection.

The speaker's relationship with death in Dickinson's poetry is further complicated by themes of mortality and desire, as highlighted in the description of 'Because I could not stop for Death -' and 'My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun -.' Here, she demonstrates that while death cannot be avoided, it's not something to be feared, portraying it as a natural part of life that does not necessitate imminent dread.

In the lines from the selected poem, the use of juxtaposition and imagery, such as the white heal-all and the moth, conveys a sense of the unnatural and creates a vivid scene of death. These poetic devices contribute to our understanding of the theme and the speaker's attitude towards death.

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