Question

1. How does this poem fit the ballad form? Cite evidence from the text to support your response. 

Answer 1

1. A ballad is a style of verse - usually a musical narrative. The poem "Because I could not stop for Death," by Emily Dickinson, fits into this category due to the combination of iambic meter lines of three and four feet or stressed syllables, which create a hymn-like poem. For example:

Because I could not stop for Death (4 sylables)

He kindly stopped for me (3 syllables)

The Carriage held but just Ourselves (4 syllables)

And Immortality.  (3 syllables)

2. The speaker has a flirting relationship with the character Death, which takes the shape of a courteous admirer. She feels very comfortable with him, although she is undressed, since the date with Death took her by surprise that morning.