What is the speaker's attitude about the ride in the first three stanzas?

In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death," the speaker has a calm attitude throughout. The first three stanzas of the poem set up that attitude, as well as the action of the poem and its main metaphor:

"Because I could not stop for Death – 
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –"

The poem creates an extended metaphor, comparing dying to going on a relaxing carriage ride – they are driving slowly and without haste, after all. As they ride, they pass pleasant sights: children at play, fields of grain, a sunset. All of these create the feeling that one's death is nothing to fear.

Death itself is personified as well, though not in the usual way, as a shadowy figure with a scythe. Instead, he "kindly stopped" to invite the speaker on a carriage ride and she notices his "civility" and courtesy. Rather than being a frightening figure, Death in this poem is a gentleman, even a male suitor for the speaker. He makes the speaker feel protected and relaxed and he contributes to the speaker's calm attitude.