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John Donne Mortality Project ISC

This document explores the theme of mortality in John Donne's poem 'Death be not Proud' and compares it with Emily Dickinson's 'Because I could not stop for Death.' Donne presents a defiant view of death as a powerless transition influenced by his Christian beliefs, while Dickinson offers a calm acceptance of death as an inevitable part of life. Both poets utilize personification and literary devices to challenge conventional perceptions of death, emphasizing its role in the human experience.

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13 views4 pages

John Donne Mortality Project ISC

This document explores the theme of mortality in John Donne's poem 'Death be not Proud' and compares it with Emily Dickinson's 'Because I could not stop for Death.' Donne presents a defiant view of death as a powerless transition influenced by his Christian beliefs, while Dickinson offers a calm acceptance of death as an inevitable part of life. Both poets utilize personification and literary devices to challenge conventional perceptions of death, emphasizing its role in the human experience.

Uploaded by

abhigyannaskar69
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exploring Mortality in John Donne's "Death be not Proud" with Reference to

Emily Dickinson

Introduction
The theme of mortality has fascinated poets for centuries. John Donne's Holy Sonnet "Death be not Proud"
presents a unique and defiant view of death, portraying it not as an end but as a powerless transition. This
project explores Donne's approach to mortality, comparing it with Emily Dickinson's treatment of the same
theme in poems like "Because I could not stop for Death." Both poets offer deeply philosophical insights,
using personification and literary devices to challenge conventional views of death.

Philosophical and Theological Foundations


John Donne's religious background as a Christian cleric deeply influences his view of death. In "Death be not
Proud," he adopts a theological perspective, suggesting that death is not to be feared because it leads to eternal
life:

"One short sleep past, we wake eternally,


And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die."

This line reflects Christian resurrection ideology, where death is merely a passage to an afterlife.

Emily Dickinson, though not overtly religious, often explores death with a quiet sense of wonder and
acceptance. In "Because I could not stop for Death," death is gentle and inevitable. The poem reflects a
philosophical surrender rather than defiance:

"Because I could not stop for Death -


He kindly stopped for me -"

Both poets engage with mortality but differ in tone: Donne defies it; Dickinson accepts it.

Personification of Death
Donne personifies death as a powerless being, attempting to strip it of its feared status:

"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee


Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so."

By directly addressing Death, Donne reduces its power, portraying it as dependent on other forces like chance,
poison, and war. This rhetorical strategy humanizes death, removing its mystery and dominance.

Dickinson also personifies Death, but in a much more subtle and calm way. Death is a courteous gentleman
escorting her to eternity:

"He kindly stopped for me -


The Carriage held but just Ourselves -
And Immortality."

While Donne attacks death, Dickinson rides with it, showing how personification serves contrasting emotional
tones.

Tone and Attitude towards Death


Donne's tone is bold, defiant, and triumphant. His poem is a challenge to the idea that death is final or
fearsome. He reclaims power through language, especially in the closing paradox:

"Death, thou shalt die."

The tone of certainty and victory over death aligns with Donne's religious conviction in resurrection and
immortality.

Dickinson, in contrast, uses a gentle, meditative tone. Her approach is more introspective. In her poem, the
tone is calm, as she views death as a part of life's journey:

"We passed the Setting Sun -


Or rather - He passed Us -"

This line implies the passage of time and inevitability of death, but without fear or resistance.

Death as a Transition vs. Finality


Donne clearly sees death as a transition, not a conclusion. His Christian worldview teaches that the soul is
immortal and death is just a "short sleep" before eternal life. The poem is built around this belief.

Dickinson also treats death as a transition but without definitive theological grounding. She acknowledges the
mystery beyond life, leaving readers with a sense of ambiguity:

"Since then - 'tis Centuries - and yet


Feels shorter than the Day"

Here, she subtly hints at a timeless existence after death, though not as assertively as Donne.

Use of Literary Devices to Convey the Theme


Donne uses:
- Apostrophe (direct address to Death)
- Personification
- Paradox ("Death, thou shalt die")
- Alliteration ("Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow")

These reinforce his argument that death is not as powerful or fearsome as believed.

Dickinson uses:
- Symbolism (the carriage, the setting sun)
- Personification
- Slant rhyme and enjambment to create a flowing, meditative rhythm.

Her devices create a softer, more philosophical tone.

Conclusion
Both John Donne and Emily Dickinson address the theme of mortality in unique ways. Donne's boldness and
religious assurance contrast with Dickinson's calm acceptance and contemplative tone. Yet both poets
demystify death, emphasizing it as a part of human experience rather than something terrifying. Their
personification of death, use of poetic devices, and philosophical depth continue to influence how we
understand life's final transition.

Bibliography
1. Donne, John. "Death be not Proud." Holy Sonnets.
2. Dickinson, Emily. "Because I could not stop for Death." Collected Poems.
3. Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning.
4. Perkins, David. A History of Modern Poetry. Harvard University Press.
5. SparkNotes & Poetry Foundation (for interpretation and analysis).

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