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How does attitude toward death in Song of Myself compare to 712 Because I could not stop for Death?

The attitude toward death in "Song of Myself" and "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" are contrasting. In "Song of Myself," Whitman celebrates death as a natural and inevitable part of life, while in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," Emily Dickinson presents death as a dark and mysterious force that is to be feared and avoided.

In "Song of Myself," Whitman writes, "I celebrate myself, and sing myself,/And what I assume you shall assume,/For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you..." This suggests that Whitman believes that death is not the end of a person's existence, but rather a continuation of it in a different form. He also writes, "I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, for he knows;/I am satisfied/I see death from the other side." This suggests that Whitman believes that death is not a painful or unpleasant experience, but rather a peaceful and liberating one.

In contrast, Dickinson writes in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," "And we passed the school, where children strove,/At recess—in the ring—/We passed the fields of grazing grain— /We passed the setting sun—/Or rather—he passed us..." This suggests that Dickinson believes that death comes suddenly and unexpectedly, and that it is something to be avoided if possible. She also writes, "We paused before a house that seemed/A swelling of the ground—/The roof was scarcely visible—/The cornice—in the ground." This suggests that Dickinson believes that death is a place of darkness and confinement.

Overall, the attitude toward death in "Song of Myself" is celebratory and life-affirming, while in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," it is fearful and pessimistic.

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