Mortality is probably the major theme in this poem. It's all about the speaker's attitude toward her death and what the actual day of her death was like. Dickinson paints a picture of the day that doesn't seem too far from the ordinary (that is, if you're used to having a guy named Death take you out on dates). The speaker isn't scared of death at all, and seems to accept it.
Questions About Mortality
- Why couldn't the speaker stop for Death? What makes her incapable and him capable of stopping?
- Why do you think the speaker is so willing to die? What kind of person is ready to die?
- How did you feel when you read the first stanza? How did you think the rest of the poem would turn out? Were your expectations correct?
- How long do you think the carriage ride takes? What clues does the poem give you?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The speaker isn't really relaxed about her experience with Death; she's terrified.