Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) and Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) are two of the best-known poets of the 19th century. Tennyson, described as “the leading poet of the Victorian age,” and Dickinson, described as “one of the greatest American poets,” both won most acclaim because of their strong ideas about death. Death is a common theme throughout the ages but took on a particular meaning in the 19th century, especially in literature. As intense poets, both Dickinson and Tennyson shared their innermost views regarding death, seen most notably in "Mariana," Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar" and "Why I Couldn't Stop for Death" and "Dips Eternity" Dickinson. As I Could Not Stop for Death” and “Behind me—dips Eternity,” Dickinson challenges our perception of death. The depiction of death in these poems contrasts sharply with the paradigm, of his time and ours, of what death is commonly thought of as: terrible and tragic. Tennyson on the other hand, conveys both a sense of acceptance and desperation regarding death in his poetry. This juxtaposition is seen in his poems "Crossing the Bar" and "Mariana", where Tennyson oscillates between viewing death as a "gateway" to God and as a terrifying ending. Death can be seen at the center of the work in two of these important Victorian writings. English-speaking poets, but both express and portray these feelings in different ways. However, “Mariana” and “Crossing the Bar” were chosen for this essay primarily because the feelings conveyed in both are even more vehement than those seen in other poems such as Canto VII or “The Lady of the Shallot.” "Why I Could Not Stop for Death" and "Dips Eternity" were chosen because they both strongly accentuate Dickinson's calm attitude toward the war...... middle of paper ......nyson/section10.rhtml >. Stewart, David J. ETERNAL SECURITY. Unknown Unknown Unknown. October 13, 2013 .Stevenson, David. Keats and Tennyson: impending death personified. Unknown Unknown 1996. November 1, 2013 .Robson, William Wallace. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Unknown Unknown Unknown. September 25, 2013 .Tate, Allen. On 712 ("Because I couldn't stop for Death"). Unknown Unknown Unknown. November 2, 2013 .The Dating Advisor. Because I couldn't stop in front of death. Unknown Unknown Unknown. October 15th 2013 .