Assingments % - Comparing Emily Dickinson's "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" and Robert Browning's "Porphyria's Lover"

INSTRUCTIONS ARE UPLOADED Compare and contrast the following poets work below Emily Dickerson “ Because I could not stop for death “and Robert Browning “ Porphyria’s Lover

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Comparing Emily Dickinson’s “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” and Robert Browning’s “Porphyria’s Lover”

In this assignment, you need to compare and contrast the works of Emily Dickinson and Robert Browning. Both poets explore themes of death and love, but they do so in different ways. Here’s how you can break down and structure your analysis effectively.

Step 1: Read and Understand Both Poems

Start by thoroughly reading both poems:

“Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson:
- This poem explores the inevitability of death and the journey that comes with it.
- The speaker is taken on a carriage ride with Death personified, symbolizing the passage from life to death.
- Themes of time, immortality, and the quiet, inevitable nature of death are central to this work.
“Porphyria’s Lover” by Robert Browning:
- This poem tells the story of a man who has a psychotic obsession with his lover, Porphyria.
- It presents a twisted relationship where the speaker, after a passionate encounter, murders Porphyria to preserve their love forever.
- Themes of power, love, control, and obsession are prevalent in this poem.

Step 2: Analyze the Poems

1. Theme of Death

Dickinson’s Poem:
- In “Because I Could Not Stop for Death”, death is portrayed as a polite, inevitable force that comes for everyone. The speaker does not choose death but rather, death “kindly” stops for her.
- Death is treated as a journey, one that is calm and peaceful. The final stanza shows the speaker’s transition to eternity, suggesting a natural acceptance of death.
Browning’s Poem:
- In “Porphyria’s Lover”, death is violent and tied to the speaker’s obsession. The speaker murders Porphyria in an effort to make her love eternal and unchanging. Death here is linked to the speaker’s desire for control over their lover and a desperate attempt to preserve a fleeting moment of passion.

2. Treatment of Love

Dickinson’s Poem:
- The poem hints at a sense of detachment and acceptance regarding life and love. Love is not central in the traditional sense but is more a part of the larger journey with death. The relationship with Death is more metaphorical.
Browning’s Poem:
- In “Porphyria’s Lover”, love is portrayed obsessively. The speaker’s love for Porphyria is twisted, as he believes that by killing her, he can preserve their love forever. This showcases a dark, possessive form of love where the speaker’s emotions override any empathy for the woman.

3. Narrative Voice

Dickinson’s Poem:
- The narrative voice in “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” is calm, reflective, and almost detached. The speaker seems to accept death’s arrival without much fear, allowing death to take her gently. This contributes to the poem’s serene tone.
Browning’s Poem:
- The speaker in “Porphyria’s Lover” is manic and unreliable. The tone is dark, and the speaker’s thoughts are disjointed and filled with obsessive love. This creates an unsettling atmosphere as the speaker’s descent into madness becomes apparent.

Step 3: Compare and Contrast

Now that you’ve analyzed both poems, start to compare and contrast their similarities and differences:

Similarities:

Both poets explore the theme of death.
The act of death is presented as part of a larger journey or obsession. For Dickinson, it’s a natural journey; for Browning, it’s a compulsive, violent act.
Both speakers seem detached from reality, though in different ways—Dickinson’s speaker is calm and accepting, while Browning’s is obsessive and disconnected from moral boundaries.

Differences:

Tone: Dickinson’s tone is calm, serene, and philosophical, while Browning’s tone is unsettling, obsessive, and tragic.
Love vs. Death: In Dickinson’s poem, death is an inevitable journey, while in Browning’s poem, love and death are intertwined in a destructive, controlling manner.
Characterization of Death: Dickinson personifies death as a gentlemanly figure, while Browning’s depiction is violent and linked to the speaker’s madness.

Step 4: Structure Your Response

Your comparative analysis should be structured logically:

Introduction (1 paragraph):
- Introduce both poems and the poets.
- Provide a brief overview of the themes you’ll be comparing and contrasting (death, love, narrative voice).
Comparison of Themes (2-3 paragraphs):
- Discuss the treatment of death in both poems.
- Analyze how love is depicted in each work.
Comparison of Narrative Voice and Tone (2 paragraphs):
- Contrast the narrative voice in each poem.
- Discuss how the tone impacts the themes of the poems.
Conclusion (1 paragraph):
- Summarize the key similarities and differences between the two poems.
- Reflect on how each poet uses death and love to explore deeper philosophical questions.

Step 5: Edit and Proofread

Check your analysis for clarity and coherence.
Ensure that each comparison is well-supported with specific examples from both poems.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to write a thoughtful and well-organized comparison of Emily Dickinson’s “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” and Robert Browning’s “Porphyria’s Lover.” Good luck with your writing!