American Romantic Poets’ Attitudes Towards the Notion of Death: A Thematic and Stylistic Analysis of Edgar Allan Poe’s and Emily Dickinson’s Selected Poems

Abstract

General Conclusion Death is not a new interest for people; however, it existed since centuries ago. From the findings of the first chapter, it seems that death is not viewed in the same way through time. There are those who believe that this phenomenon is a way to redemption, a way to get rid of problems and sins. Some consider it an enemy who keeps destroying their achievements as a result of envy. Another category of people has the idea that death itself is a part of the life cycle. Simply, death is another shape of existence. Death nature is still a mystery which needs solutions and answers, and humans will keep giving speculations to relieve their curious minds. Furthermore, the acceptance of death a reality is still not fully achieved. Even people from the same religions and communities do not agree on one particular opinion concerning this phenomenon. On the basis of the Freudian psychoanalytic approach, the analysis of death as a theme in Edgar Allan Poe‘s Annabel Lee and Emily Dickinson‘s Because I Could Not Stop for death provides an explanation about how the unconscious interferes in deciding the person‘s own ideas and views on particular concepts. Freudian notion of the unconscious keep repeating themselves in the two selected poems. Poe‘s uses a persona who suffers from his beloved woman‘s death. Hence, he is left in a state of a denial which is a normal reaction according to Freud. This disbelief is defense strategy by the speaker‘s ego, so that he will be protected from feeling betrayed. In addition, death is portrayed as a separation and destruction. On the other hand, Dickinson‘s persona seems glad that death is with her. In terms of psychology, her sense of pride leads her to deny the sense of fear from her mind. Thus, the analysis of death in this poem demonstrates the satisfaction which is felt by this speaker. Reflecting death as a path to salvation and eternity, the persona is convinced that there is no Gaouat 63 need to give it a dark connotation. The speaker‘s superego is the one that provides her with these high hopes and values. Unlike Freud‘s conclusion in relation to one‘s own death, she accepts this without any rebellion. Based on New criticism approach and the analysis of the stylistic elements in the selected poems, the selected poets‘ attitudes in relation to death notion are revealed. The use of literary devices and symbols reflect the two diverged views of the poets on this concept. Poe‘s attitude belongs to the pessimistic picture. He tries to convey a particular message through his poem‘s speaker, that death is a mere sadness and grief. However, Dickinson has an optimistic and idealistic thoughts concerning such a concept that was treated with hatred before and now. Dickinson‘s view is romantic, yet realistic on different scales. It can be taken as a religious thinking, a Christian way of dealing with death as the inevitable and the natural destiny of all humans. Finally, the thematic and stylistic analysis of the two selected poems proves that Poe and Dickinson are embodying their ideas and views through their poems‘ speakers. The way in which Poe‘s persona keeps blaming death is in contrast to the way Dickinson‘s speaker keeps glorifying this concept or ‗driver‘. Hence, the aim of this study was to detect both Romantic poets‘ attitudes towards this phenomenon. As a conclusion, these two poets have diverged opinions in relation to death. Taking into consideration that Poe is an American Dark Romantic writer and a poet, he holds a pessimistic attitude; whereas, Dickinson embodies the romantic and optimistic view.