It’s an essay for a literary analysis for the poem “because I could not stop for death” by Emily Dickinson. It would be in MLA format 5 paragraphs.

Poetry Analysis Worksheet

A step-by-step guide to reading and understanding poetry

1. Title
• If there is a title – does it define the subject matter of the poem’s focus?

I think the title does define the subject of the poem because most of the poem explains how even
though she could not stop for death, death stopped for her. You can get an idea of what the poem
will be about by the title,

2. First Reading

• Read the poem silently to gain a first impression.  What is the narrative in the poem
(what is happening?)  Make some notes on your first impressions.

I get a calm feeling as a first impression because she speaks about death in a kind way.

3. Re-Reading

• Read the poem again – carefully, analytically and out loud.
• Take note of punctuation; notice images that stand out; listen to the rhyming pattern and

the rhythm of the words

This poem includes a lot of dashes and pauses. There are not a lot of rhymes
in this poem.

4. Meaning
• Identify the obvious meaning and then look for implied meaning (s). What do you think

the poet is trying to say?

I think the poet was saying that death is inevitable and not scary, but normal and
calming. It is natural.

5. Consolidation – Putting it all together
• Read the poem again to consolidate your appreciation of its meaning.

I think and appreciate the meaning the other was trying to give but also appreciate how death took
her to places she had once gone through when she was a child such as a park or just meaningful
places in general.

6. Theme/s

• Identify the main theme of the poem

I think the main theme of this poem if morality.

7. Analysis
• Are there poetic techniques such as: similes; metaphors; alliteration;

personification; onomatopoeia; assonance?

There are poetic techniques such as symbolism, maybe by the house, imagery,irony, alliteration
and personification throughout most of the poem.

• Other structures such as: repetition; tenses; different voices; different themes in
stanzas.

There is some repetition in the poem in lines 9,11,and 12 as she says “we passed”.

• Use of vocabulary and language? (Find the meaning of words you are not familiar with)

Most of the vocabulary in the poem was not very difficult, the only word I did not understand was
Gossamer and tippet.

• Listen to the tone of the poem. What is it? Does it change?

Relaxed.

• What is the poet’s message or intention in writing this poem?

I think it was to show a different side of death and to explain that it is natural and a cycle.

8. Interpretation
• What issues are raised about society/relationships or life?

Issues that may differ with this poem is the fact that not everybody feels so comfortable with the
thought of death as it is describes in this poem.

• Now use the above notes and information to write an analytical essay about the
poem/s you have been analyzing.