Before She Died Analysis

In "Before She Died," Karen Chase uses a depressing tone and imagery and metaphors to describe the sadness a person has after one of their loved ones dies. Chase says, "When I look at the sky now, I look at it for you," which allows the reader to imagine a person looking to the sky for a person that they can no longer see. This image makes it easy for the reader to connect with the speaker. Chase also says, " It will take a long time to know how it is for you. Like a dog's lifetime -- long -- multiplied by sevens," this metaphor allows the reader to understand the feelings of the speaker, how the character misses the person they've lost and they know they won't see them again until they die themselves. Every year that they have to wait feels longer like seven years.