Question

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 – in the Ground – Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity – Source: Dickinson, Emily. "Because I could not stop for Death."
How would a formal interpretation be different from an ethical interpretation of this poem? Give specific examples of how you would analyze this poem either from a formal or ethical point of view.

Answer 1

“Ethical interpretation is pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct. 2. being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.”
From an ethical interpretation of this poem I would interpret this poem as moral and emotional. Emily was too busy to die, so death was kind enough to slow down and take her. Emily is forcing the idea of being comfortable with death by comparing a grave to a house. She’s calling death home. What was going through her head is unknown. The ride is showing how death goes slow and the horse is immortality. Time has stopped as death has stopped.