Emily Dickinson wrote two poems, "I heard a Fly
Buzz—when I died" and "Because I could not stop for Death,"
which both talk about death, but in different ways.
In "I heard a Fly Buzz—when I died," Dickinson
describes someone's deathbed scene. At first, it seems like the person is
expecting something big to happen as they die. But instead of something
profound, they notice a fly buzzing around. This fly interrupts the seriousness
of the moment and challenges what we usually think about death. It shows how
even in our most serious moments, something ordinary like a fly can still
bother us. The poem ends with the person's vision fading as they die, leaving
the buzzing of the fly as the last thing they hear.
In contrast, "Because I could not stop for Death"
portrays death as a gentle companion on life's journey. Death is like a polite
gentleman who picks up the speaker in a carriage. Death isn't scary in this
poem; it's more like a patient friend who travels with the speaker through life
and eventually to the grave. The journey symbolizes how time passes and how
death is something we can't avoid. But instead of being sad or scared, the poem
feels calm and reflective, suggesting that death is just a natural part of
life.
Both poems look at death in different ways. "I heard a
Fly Buzz—when I died" shows how something as small as a fly can disrupt a
big moment like dying. It challenges our usual ideas about death. Meanwhile,
"Because I could not stop for Death" sees death as a peaceful part of
life's journey. It's like a friend guiding us along the way.
Dickinson's poems make us think about death and the feelings
that come with it. They show that death is complex and can bring up different
emotions. Whether it's the surprise of a fly buzzing at our deathbed or the
calm acceptance of death as a journey, these poems give us a lot to think about
when it comes to life's biggest mystery.