What emotional state is reflected in Dickinson's line "He kindly stopped for me"?

The line "He kindly stopped for me" from Emily Dickinson's poetry suggests a tone of acceptance, reflecting a serene resignation to one's fate. The use of the word "kindly" indicates a gentle, compassionate approach to the situation being described. This implies that the speaker is not struggling against the event occurring—likely a metaphor for death or a transformative passage—but rather is accepting the inevitability of it.

The phrasing captures a moment of calmness and surrender, as the speaker acknowledges the presence of a figure (often interpreted as Death) who pauses to take them on a journey. This quiet acceptance stands in contrast to more intense emotions such as joy, fear, or anger, which would convey stronger, more tumultuous feelings about the experience. By choosing acceptance as the emotional state reflected in the line, it underscores Dickinson's exploration of complex themes surrounding mortality and the human experience.