A Rest Stop at the End

“Because I could not stop for death-
He kindly stopped for me-
The carriage held but ourselves-and immortality.”

Emily Dickinson
“Because I could not stop for death.”

The certainty of death and its final absoluteness are issues that humanity has struggled with for ages. We have images of sickle carrying, robed figures who hide in the shadows waiting to carry us away to death. The vast number of euphemisms for the concept clearly illustrates people’s fear of “passing away,” “going to the next world,” and even “kicking the bucket.” The fact that “kicking the bucket” is viewed as more comforting than the real word, “death,” humorously illustrates the power that mortality holds over many people.

Despite this common fear, Emily Dickinson paints death in images that appear comforting and tranquil. Death is transformed from the sickle bearing menace into a carriage driver who is kindly stopping to offer her a ride. Dickinson views death as simply another part of the journey that should not be feared.

Whether a person is religious or an atheist, the description of the carriage holding only death, the individual, and immortality has relevance. Immortality can be defined as either an afterlife or the finality of perpetual sleep. In any case, one cannot return to the previous part of the journey. The poem views death as something that should not cripple people in fear, but rather motivate them to achieve their goals and live life fully while experiencing it along the way. Death for Dickinson is like the final resting stop at the end of a long journey. Death is not something waiting in the dark in the hopes of stealing our lives….death is like a kindly reminder that we have completed the long journey and can now look back in ease at our living experiences and accomplishments.

All journeys must have a beginning, middle, and an end. Therefore, death is a natural part of each person’s journey. By fearing and obsessing constantly on the prospect of death, people fail to enjoy the pleasures, relationships, and accomplishments along the way.

What do you think about Emily Dickinson’s view of death?

Is Dickinson’s image of death comforting, strange, or unrealistic to you?

Thank you for reading!

--Carrie Goertz

A Little Rip In US All

“In a word, Rip was ready to attend to anybody’s business but his own; but as to doing family duty, and keeping his farm in order, he found it impossible.”
Washing Irving
“Rip Van Winkle”



This humorous description probably applies to us all at one point or another. Irving is pointing out the fact that it is much easier to deal with someone else’s problems than to deal with one’s own. How many times a day do people attempt to counsel others when their advice might be better directed at themselves? (I would like to point out once again that everyone has done this at one point or another, and, in following the theme of this entire post, I am also lecturing myself!)

Dealing with other people’s chores, problems, and insecurities is easier because it provides us with a way to confront these problems without applying them to ourselves. Although the advice might be beneficial to others, if the advisor never sees how the advice is relevant to their own lives, then they often fail to grow as a person. Rip Van Winkle is stuck in a stagnant life. His house is falling down, his farm is failing, and he enjoys conversing with his dog much more than with his own wife. (I know, dogs listen without criticizing…I admit they are the perfect friends to vent off steam, but the conversation is a bit one sided.)

Helping other people is a wonderful thing, but when individuals fail to take pride and responsibility for their own life, many important things become neglected. Helping acquaintances with their chores and problems is easier than dealing with issues revolving around intimates like the members of one’s family. Our own daily troubles and family problems are much more intimidating because they are closer to us. When confronted with our own responsibilities which seem daunting and threatening, we often compensate by helping others whose problems are much more distant.

As with many things in life, people need balance to achieve a healthy medium of helping themselves and others. In fact, improving our own life often makes us more secure and content which benefits those around us as well. We no longer have to turn a blind eye to the door leaning a little of the hinge or feel guilty about the unacknowledged pain we might have caused someone in our family. By resolving issues in our own lives, we become better counselors, friends, and helpers to those around us.

What do you think about Rip’s neglect for his own life in favor of concentrating on the problems of others?

What are the responsibilities to one’s self, family, and acquaintances; how do you think these responsibilities differ?

I would love to hear your comments and input!

--Carrie Goertz

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to my blog which features quotes from classic and contemporary literary works and authors. Each week will feature a new quote along with reflections on its relevance in today’s society. The quotes will include a variety of topics ranging from the serious to the humorous. It is my hope to celebrate literature by showing its timeless quality to inspire, heal, and provoke the soul and mind. I welcome and appreciate any comments or reflections of your own.

I thought it would be appropriate for my first post to feature the quote which inspired the title of my blog, A Speaking Picture…

“Poesy therefore is an art of imitation…a speaking picture-with this end, to teach and delight”
Sir Philip Sidney
The Defense of Poesy

Although written in 1579, this statement defending the relevance of poetry and prose still holds true today. Poesy (Sidney’s term for poetry and prose) not only provides us with charismatic characters and exciting plots, but it also teaches us about ourselves. By experiencing the trials and challenges that the characters face on their journeys, we in turn are able to learn from the experiences of these characters. Literature is neither a lecture nor is it a real life failure that we must experience. Through stories, we can learn from these fictional experiences and characters while at the same time delighting in the adventure. We may never be the grand hero found in the epics, but the virtues they embody can inspire us to strive to be something better than we were before we turned that first page.

What character has inspired you the most?

Do you agree with Sidney’s idea that the imagination is a beneficial tool for promoting moral virtue?

I would love to hear everyone’s comments regarding Sidney’s quote or my post. Since I asked the question, it seems only fair that I tell you my answer as well!

One character that has given me inspiration in recent times is Eowyn from Tolkien’s the Lord of the Rings. She is a character who suffers a great deal of turmoil both emotionally and physically. She remains guarded through much of the series, fearing the companionship of others because of her own insecurities. Many of her weaknesses and insecurities I saw in myself when reading the book. At the end of the book when Eowyn finally allows herself to be known to those who love her, she finally finds peace with her own character and identity. Eowyn’s ability to conquer her inner demons showed me the importance of finding peace with yourself and with others, and her example helped me to do the same.

Thank you for reading my post and have a wonderful day!

--Carrie Goertz