Theme of Death in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" and "The Lottery" (Essay Sample)

Death is an irreversible action, that unquestionably affects every living thing. Everyone is aware of existance, and everyone knows that it will inevitably come to them. For something so consistent in the lives of humans, one would expect for there to be a consensus on how death were to be perceived. However, this is not the case. For some it provokes fear and angst, while for some cutures death represents an accomplishment. In the poem, “Because I Could Not Stop for Death,” by Emily Dickinson, illustrates the last moments before death through an exchange between a woman and death himself. On the other hand, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, describes the yearly  ancient, sacrificial ritual of a fictional town. The average American is so caught up with living life that they fail to recognize there is an inevitable end. This common socio-cultural ignorance of death is displayed in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," while "The Lottery" presents a contradicting perspective of death through the casual attitude towards it displayed by the villagers.  

The depiction of death in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," aligns with the ignorance of death that commonly occurs in American culture. The average American is consumed by the present, dedicating most all their focus on living in the now. This subconscious avoidance of death in Americans, is in part due to defense mechanisms of the brain. Ian Sample, the science editor for The Gaurdian, explains that studies have found, “that the brain shields us from existential fear by categorising death as an unfortunate event that only befalls other people” (Sample). This biological funcion helps to explain the denial of death found in American culture. The refusal to accept death that is seen in American culture is also represented in “Because I Could Not Stop for Death.” The line, "Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me –" (Dickinson) identfies the relationship between humans and death.