What happens when you die? A poetic inquiry

Dive into Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death” and explore life’s greatest mystery: what happens when you die?
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Death, a kindly gentleman riding in a horse carriage, comes to collect a woman for her journey to the afterlife. So begins Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” an exploration of both the uncertainties of death and its inevitability. Dive into one of Dickinson’s most celebrated works, which speaks to life’s greatest mystery: what happens when you die?
Poem by Emily Dickinson, directed by Petra Balekić.
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Animator's website: www.petrabalekic.com/
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Nevin Spoljaric, Christine, Yvonne Feijoo, Sid Chanpuriya, Arjay Arcinue Dineros, RAD, Anoom Yasmin, Laura Johnson, Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Noah Webb, Zoë Tulip, B, Erica Guerrero, Richard Manklow, Roberto Chena, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Brendan and Nicole's summer job, Ryan Weiler, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Itay Levi, Cameron Chakraverty, Petr Vacek, Rhys Patterson, Dennis, Margaret King, Olivia Fu, Katrina Adams, Regina Post, Mary Collins, Kari Teffeau, clumsybunnie, Adam Leos, Jeremy Laurin, Cindy Lai, Liz , Hannah Nommé, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, Chin Beng Tan, Alejandro Gomez, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Isorn Sookwanish, Iryna Panasiuk, Diane Gallin and Aaron Torres.

[@AAA-ix2hw]

"Death is not opposite of life but a part of it " -Haruki Murakami

[@debasissadhukhan5585]

Yeah Norwegian wood

[@roshanrathod4154]

We're all living death. Every second every day we come closer to death.

[@Joe-ec9sm]

Haruki Murakami

[@isshikiqutsutsuki4421]

@@roshanrathod4154 that kind disterbing

[@rameshdevasi6720]

Read osho katho upanishad to liberate from death.

[@tanviohol6807]

Emily Dickinson's last words were: *The fog is rising. I must go in*

[@OrcaTheDorka]

*i must come out*

[@enchantedshears5357]

So rested she by the Tumtum tree And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought she stood, The Fog, with eyes of smoke

[@AnkitKumar-gn1ou]

One of the videos which I didn't get inside the brain.

[@PramkLuna]

Emily Dickenson said that before she died in the The Mist

[@gavart4509]

Wait until you’re dying and think “I have no mouth and I must scream”

[@akashwalavalkar7313]

"Because I could not stop for death, he stopped for me" That's what I call a pro gamer move

[@sayuriunnie1961]

FACTS-

[@enchantedshears5357]

He took his vorpal sword in hand; Long time the manxome foe he sought

[@greensponge6538]

@@enchantedshears5357 I’m dying 😂😂😂

[@hasnain9654]

@@greensponge6538 Rest in Peace...you will be remembered

[@pulkitshekhawat6741]

😂😂😂😂

[@vipanrana2919]

“I know the ones who love us will miss us,” Reeves said.

[@m.adnanadam4446]

i don't know why but reading this almost makes me tear up 😭

[@TerraBlo]

Unless you miss them first

[@musaibshaikh5075]

Should I be sad or not because no one will miss me

[@ritikakela]

There's a void inside me now that the intro didn't play

[@airplanes_aren.t_real]

Relatable

[@GM-kj7sy]

hmm....understandable i guess....

[@softiebun9660]

she spent a long time realizing that death's just always been there and always will be. she realizes what she gives up for death's cordial but unavoidable ushering. centuries can pass while she stays in that box, while she remains in life but it feels no longer than a few seconds. because one day she realized the horses and the carriage of death have seen it all and will forever stay steady, time became inconsequential. that day stood still for an eternity to her. the schoolkids and the sun passing showed how her perception of things remaining in life, new and ancient changed as she moved towards death. she felt the dark loneliness as cold as the wind blowing with the dew on her skirt. when you die, everything inevitably passes you by because where could you even go? you are now a fixed point. everything can only move forward so you are left behind in the wake of the new births and the souls still living but also grander things such as the sun. processing what you give up, wondering why things still go on while you're fading... realizing this is all the passage that has been, is right now and will continue to be. death is curt, understanding but he has his carriage and you will get on on time, he needs not rush. you will alight only to arrive in the house they place your body.

[@softiebun9660]

just going off the top of my head... its just what i could piece together.

[@lalaounaamina]

You are awesome!

[@aasthasingh5532]

The wind’s sound makes me feel cold even sitting on my bed under a blanket. It’s so realistic!

[@shivpatel7506]

The lesson learned here is that even when you die, TED-Ed won’t stop tugging at you and sharing poems.

[@OrcaTheDorka]

*proceeds to cri*

[@enchantedshears5357]

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!” He took his vorpal sword in hand; Long time the manxome foe he sought- So rested he by the Tumtum tree And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. “And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” He chortled in his joy. ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.

[@OrcaTheDorka]

@@enchantedshears5357 ok historical genius

[@fallacyfallout6985]

@@enchantedshears5357 ah! I love this poem

[@enchantedshears5357]

@@OrcaTheDorka uhh... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX20oKZtYrukbq8&t

[@SiddhantThatsMe]

Well one can hope death is more peaceful than life if nothing.

[@AhmedMahmoud-tv9vw]

false hope.

[@fuzzygirl4057]

@@AhmedMahmoud-tv9vw Look creator of universe in the comments?! Or have you died and seen it All? Then you came back to tell us what someone can hope or not. 😂😂

[@TheSkyIsFalling93]

@@AhmedMahmoud-tv9vw - Could you expand on your comment? What makes you think that there is a high probability that we don’t find peace in death?

[@fuzzygirl4057]

@@bruhbruh19705 doesn't make sense sorry and contradicts the meaning of hope. You can hope for anything and that's what hope is about. False hope or true hope doesn't make any sense. If no one knows whether you can find peace after death of how can you say it's false "hope"? It's a false "expectation" if you know a thing for certain.

[@TheSkyIsFalling93]

@@bruhbruh19705 - That makes sense to me but I see it a little differently. Because no one knows what happens after death I don’t think it’s false hope to believe you will find some sort of peace in death no matter what that looks like to you. Once again nobody knows what really happens when we die so maybe we don’t find peace. It’s a circular conversation because the lack of evidence on the topic.

[@alvinpoly2781]

The editing truly is self-explanatory. English teachers should rather let students watch Ted-ed videos at school.

[@itsmeharperjacksons6633]

As and English and Literature student where kids always fall asleep, this video would really help

[@OutlawMaxV]

Most of these teachers are too egocentric whose fragile pride would shatter if they let someone other than themselves teach their ideals

[@leorigor157]

Maybe after they draw their own conclusion as to what the meaning of the poem is. It would help stir their imagination and be creative in formulating their own interpretation. Then only after that would show them the video and make a comparison.

[@giomorrison9531]

My Social Studies teacher does

[@yinetralala]

English teacher here! I always love ted ed videos and I make sure my students get to see these masterpieces 😊😊

[@user-gg7uh9bb2x]

"If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way? " ~Emily Dickinson

[@hamad2808]

So this is what you feel when you’re early at ted-ed’s videos

[@2stepssane-_-]

Right

[@hi.241]

Yes

[@delandraadongtengboateng9918]

I’m early too

[@shalinib9670]

A strange feeling indeed

[@malakgamer8403]

HI GUYS" IM SO POOR" IM NOT GET JOB" AND NO ONE WAS SUPPORT ME" KZbin ALSO NOT GIVE ME VIEWS" YES IM SO POOR THAN ALL"

[@arhanadutt2330]

Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me

[@ethanrepublic]

damn, that sound design is awesome

[@Swapnil9770]

Whoever narrated it did a great job, and animations as always were simply impeccable.

[@mariazaidi4064]

"Ferb, I know what we are going to do today." Edit, THANKS FOR THE LIKES. I NEVER GET ANY

[@aliya9554]

Whatccha doin'

[@mariazaidi4064]

@@aliya9554 Being dead

[@SparePlayss]

*No ted-Ed intro music* me :- wait.. That's illegal

[@cadetabid9294]

Without death,, there is no value of life..

[@1000eau]

Isn't there really any value, in your memories, your family, your friends, your experiences ? How can you be so sure about it ?

[@cadetabid9294]

@@1000eau bro,, without death ,, your memories are also meaningless..

[@legallyblind7404]

Death brings meaning to life, for you can't escape it, you learn to cherish every memories on the way

[@cadetabid9294]

@@legallyblind7404 you are right,,mate..

[@texmexspm]

Crazy. That's like saying my car would have no value if it could run forever. We say things like this to put our minds at peace. Death is horrible inherently to conscious beings that instinctively want to take another breath to keep the mind conscious.

[@wormfoood]

"What happens when you Die?" Keanu Reeves: I know that the one's who love us will miss us.

[@saumyashree4926]

Thinking a perfect quote about life and death But my brain is dead

[@spilledsalt4862]

This was one of the most thoughtful videos I’ve seen.

[@mrfridge5937]

What a lovely poem literally touched my heart

[@dr.apollo4226]

Literally?

[@somethingspecific3619]

I love how these videos are not expository videos on art but rather pieces of art in and of themselves. Keep spoiling us with such beautiful videos, Ted Ed!❤😍

[@JustADioWhosAHeroForFun]

Gamers: "You respawn"

[@Yes-dc2gm]

HI DIO MERRY CHRISTMAS IN ADVANCE!

[@OrcaTheDorka]

@Ender_ _BOI i would rather return to the main menu

[@sayuriunnie1961]

While me Exit the game-

[@harshshukla2412]

The last time i was so early I was alive...

[@nareshvasuja3506]

RIP bro😂

[@aarav_sharma]

Thats 2020 for ya

[@airplanes_aren.t_real]

F

[@gonzalez010821]

Babeminzgirlsszz.SpaCe

[@saumyashree4926]

Death : Time to go to the underworld

[@shivakumargujjari]

I feel a weird nostalgia

[@deeptechtv1483]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJLGmYCtgdyDi6c

[@Trav2016]

It's more about getting old expecting death and what would happen. The animation confuses this because it doesn't distinguish between her thinking about getting on the carriage and what might happen over the years to her house because of her death. But at the same time she is thinking these things she's getting older and the house and yard are getting old, until one day just as she has imagined death came for her and she played out the scenario as she imagined time and time again.

[@Velociferon]

I used to be so afraid of death. I lived everyday trying so hard not to think about it. Therapy and introspection helped me come to terms with death. I can finally live my life.

[@spiralpython1989]

Such beautiful, delicate animation. Suits the poem so perfectly. What a lovely gift for today.

[@Nazarinee]

I learned this poem yesterday and youtube recommended me this video today!! The animations are awesome!🥀

[@Dhara_Mewada]

According to Keanu Reeves "People who love you will miss you"

[@ucduy572]

Ye as if i feel or know anything after my death

[@Ariadne4]

And eventually will forget you too

[@Ariadne4]

@@ucduy572 but we will know from experiencing the death of our loved ones

[@manusharamanayake8142]

There are so many sound clips and the animation is astounding. Looks like it took lot of effort.

[@kathirthegreat1431]

One of my favourite poems! Thanks Ted Ed!❤

[@vminshi]

This is beautiful, such a lovely poem considering its about Death.

[@mcesquilona]

Thank you for answering all my questions

[@ManvinderSinghWalia]

I don't know what more amazing, the fact that I'm so early to a Ted Ed video or this awesome animation and the poem

[@derkaiser420]

That was great. I don't have great knowledge of her work but I read that poem many times. You did a great job animating it.

[@sapphirefrost3323]

I love her poems! I ve mostly read all of them!

[@emilnavod67]

Only ted ed animations can make me listen to poetry

[@RohitSingh-rv3co]

I read this poem in 10th standard! Brought back memories! And I had never thought I would find this poem so insightful

[@Howdonei]

We need more of these ❤️

[@CGmeh1971]

I love how it's narrated!!!! It adds more en depth and feeling to the poem

[@Suuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

"What happens when you die" : You are dead.....

[@husoab]

Professional philosophy

[@iam_a_sad_khan]

how are you so wise?

[@user-uu5xf5xc2b]

people die when they get killed - emiya shirou

[@sayuriunnie1961]

ARMYYY

[@sayuriunnie1961]

Big brain-

[@sarahassansidahmed3244]

The art style captures the depth of the poem really well💕💕it's mesmerising with traces of melancholy and despair, very well put

[@arweenamischka5055]

The way the words flow in a rhythm calms me, like a babbling brook flowing softly in a forest of soothing winds...

[@gopalpoojary2958]

Love this new series

[@riverIl0719]

*Please make more videos of these brilliant poems!*

[@prometheus5405]

"Living is harder than dying, maybe that's why we do it." - Yuuichi Onodera

[@rajadhirajmaharaj]

do what

[@prometheus5405]

@@rajadhirajmaharaj living

[@fabianalfonsoooo]

I love it, thank you ted-ed! ♥

[@anshrajahan4135]

Needed this

[@ahmyakm9176]

I love these series.

[@kyngquinas8097]

I studied this poem in secondary school. Feels great to see it here, animated.

[@sameerworld7587]

Like always...they nailed the animation!!

[@kevinc.7287]

I was always afraid of death because we can't do anything to escape it. My Dad always says that time is finite so make every second count. Death motivates me to become more healthy and enjoy life rather than sitting and playing video games for hours. Get out of you comfort zone and live life to the fullest 😁👍

[@mauqaparast]

Beautiful and very nostalgic, reminding me my school days❤️

[@jamnbear5185]

"Because I couldn't stop for death, he stopped for me" death is so kind woah

[@ahmyakm9176]

This beautifully depicts the emotion the poem evokes.

[@mysterious7215]

When there is no intro music u know there's something special

[@yannehyan]

I love this poem so much!

[@Justvinayk]

I listened several times but still wanna listen more!

[@countvisian3652]

Ammazing work! Ted ed never seems to dissapoint me. Keep it up!

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Q: What happens when I die? A: The suffering ends.

[@jordgubbe9187]

You good?

[@Ownage4lif31]

And you know this how? What if it was worse?

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

@@Ownage4lif31 I saw my dead father's face with a smile before he was cremated. It's quite bitter-sweet after months of suffering from an ailment that he kept secret from us.

[@Ownage4lif31]

@@kirbymarchbarcena Because when you're about to die, you get a huge hit of dopamine rushing through you. That is, unless you have an instant death.

[@Ariadne4]

@@kirbymarchbarcena RIP. My deepest condolences

[@xyanl4889]

That's amazing

[@globisdead]

I studied this poem while I was doing my IGCSE English Literature! Always found it so interesting to analyze. I'm excited Ted-Ed did a video on it!

[@miafans6928]

They did a beautiful job with the animation, is a way that it is simplistic and fits with our voiceover and atmosphere

[@srijanumesh5355]

No way!! I was wondering the same thing 5 mins ago!!

[@prakashpakala6818]

I love ted ed explaining style ❤❤❤

[@mahmood7093]

Her voice is so soothing 🎉

[@Audio21-MUSICislife]

"Because I could not stop for death,he kindly stopped for me 🥀"

[@javoywhyte6005]

Ted Ed makes me love poetry so much

[@arvindshankarshrivastava1100]

Love the animation

[@NgJackal1990]

"Good people, bad people in the end we all rot the same." - Sadojima Hoji

[@firenzarfrenzy4985]

I didn’t understand a word of this I love it.

[@SomeoneStopKenny]

U teach me so much tbh

[@yajeer9685]

Death is a supple Suitor That wins Atlast- It is a stealthy Wooing Conducted first By pallid innuendoes And dim approach But brave at last with Bugles And a bisected Coach It bears away in triumph To Troth unknown And Kindred as responsive As Porcelain. Another great poem by the same author.

[@lost_places_global9008]

„When you feel tearing, always remember that your loved ones are caring“ -Bedirhan

[@hezreennajwa9265]

We need more ted-ed poetry videos

[@a.human.]

Perfect timing

[@sandipdeshpande3978]

Superb

[@kiri1581]

We read this in class it is the best thing ever

[@munima5699]

I love the narrator’s voice so much

[@Soteria447]

The graphic work of teded sure outdid itself this time in this video

[@monzeradil317]

Animation is in a top level

[@javidproductions9353]

Well "Then us'll ha' to bury thee. Then t'worms'll come an' eyt thee oop. Then t'ducks'll come an' eyt up t'worms. Then us'll go an' eyt up t'ducks. Then us'll all ha' etten thee. That's wheear we get us ooan back"

[@javoywhyte6005]

Say this in English please.

[@javidproductions9353]

@@javoywhyte6005 but my good fellow that was in english, it's called a northern accent. Here's the wikipedia article with it being translated into a more commonly spoken dialect en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Ilkla_Moor_Baht_%27at

[@javoywhyte6005]

@@javidproductions9353 ¡ Gracias !

[@TheTobiasandersen95]

Personally I've concluded with myself that nothing awaits us after death... It seems the most plausible and simple... If there'll even be a conciousness then, it'll prolly only be met with a dark void. Floating, but not really and waiting, but with no concept of time. Kinda brings me a form of peace to imagine it. But then again, I'm an atheist, so I guess the answer to that question is gonna be wildly different depending on who you ask in regards to religion...

[@shahnawazahmed6070]

I mean, I did'nt really understood anything, but it felt good.

[@rosagordo5130]

You know a serious When the intro Doesn't play.

[@arvindshankarshrivastava1100]

Death is not opposite of life It's a just part of it .

[@user-uu5xf5xc2b]

that's art now

[@AryanKumar-jo1pz]

@TED-ED was the video reuploaded to change the thumbnail?

[@elhadjimamadoumbodj6467]

Ironically that’s what I was thinking about right now

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video.

[@MikeJBeebe]

American Neo-Minimalist composer John Adams version of this in Harmonium is amazing and hauntingly beautiful.

[@jackiez8946]

wait where did the quote go at the beginning?

[@theashapeshift]

Her voice and the video calm my anxiety

[@saikrishnathiwakarrk]

TED should be period in school and college life ...it so much more than a educational/knowledge based video Keep it up 🔥🔥🔥

[@HMAOO86]

"I, Nezahualcóyotl, ask: Do you really live with roots on Earth? Not forever on Earth, just a little here. Although it is made of jade, it shatters; even if it's gold, it breaks; even if it is a quetzal plumage, it tears. Not forever on Earth, just a little here." -Nezahualcoyotl-

[@betabeta9370]

Whenever you didn't hear a Ted Ed music in start just admit it is gonna damn good

[@biennereese2849]

Can anyone please explain the poem to me? I’m inlove with the video, but I’m certain I would appreciate it more if I understand the entire context. Thank you♥️