Death as a Person

While reading "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson, it was apparent to me that she had taken the idea of death and personified it. Yes, humans have personified death before, but more as a grim reaper than anything. Rather that death being the reaper that we never hope to see, Dickinson made him seem like the neighbor that would watch over pets and water plants while you were on vacation. In fact, she even uses the term "civility" to describe him. This is a unique idea that isn't often seen. Actually, I've only seen the personification of death in this nature in the book The Book Thief. Personally, I find it a very compelling way to look at something that everyone will have to deal with at one time or another. It raises the question of whether we will not be ready when it is our time or if we too will take a peaceful carriage ride with death when he comes.