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by Thomas Gray
The Epitaph
Popularity of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”: Thomas Gray, a renowned English poet, scholar,
and professor wrote ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’. It was first published in 1751. Though it
appears as a narrative poem, it is a lyrical poem. It is known for its theme of death and mortality. The
poem laments the deaths of all men, especially, the poor and unrecognized ones. It also speaks about
class differences.
“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” As a Representative of Sorrow: This poem is about the writer’s
meditations on the mysterious countryman sleeping in the churchyard. The poet describes both auditory
and visual sensations he observes and feels in that churchyard. The mournful sounds of the owls remind
him of the dead resting in their graves. He laments they will be unable to enjoy the fruits of life: the
happiness of home, wife, and work. He also comments on the fame and honors rich people enjoy in
their lives. To him, the poor souls would have also accomplished great tasks only if they had the
opportunity. Now, they are peacefully sleeping in their cells, and their plain graves reflect their simplicity
and morality. In contrast, he describes the lavish funeral momentums of the rich that are prominent in
the same churchyard. But nothing can restore life. Even in his epitaph, he asks us not to remember him
as a wealthy, educated and great person. He wants to be remembered as a melancholic, serious and sad
person. He desires to be known as a common man whom he has praised and with whom he was going
to be buried.
Major Themes in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”: Death, the transience of life and memento
mori are the major themes of this poem. Surrounded by death, the poem provides various images
pointing out the contrast between life and death, the mortality and the difference between different
classes after death. Throughout the poem, he develops the idea that every glitter becomes rusted on the
face of death. He intends to present that the members of the lower class are worthy of praise as
compared to the upper class even in the post-death period. Their simple, unreadable graves give a clue
to their miserable lives. The poet refrains from glorifying the virtues of the wealthy and famous because
they enjoyed fame while they were alive. He prefers acknowledging the morality and decency of those
who led woeful yet satisfied life.
Literary devices are tools used by writers and poets to convey their emotions, feelings, and ideas to the
readers. Thomas Gray has also used many literary devices to make the poem appealing. Here is the
analysis of some literary devices used in this poem.
Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line such as the sound of /o/ in
“There at the foot of yonder nodding beech” and the sound of /i/ in “Hands, that the rod of empire
might have sway’d”.
Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line such as the sound of /r/
in “Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay” and the sound of /l/ in “And all the air a solemn
stillness holds”.
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick succession such
as the sound of /h/ in “Haply some hoary-headed swain may say” and the sound of /w/ in “The plowman
homeward plods his weary way”, and the sound of /l/ in “Or wak’d to ecstasy the living lyre”.
Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example,
“There at the foot of yonder nodding beech”, “The next with dirges due in sad array” and “Each in his
narrow cell forever laid.”
Personification: Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. For example, “Let not
Ambition mock their useful toil”, “Or Flatt’ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death” and “But Knowledge to
their eyes her ample page.”
Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; instead, it
rolls over to the next line. For example,
Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some
of the poetic devices used in this rhyme.
Stanza: A stanza is a poetic form of verses and lines. There are thirty-two stanzas in this poem, each
comprises of four lines.
Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows the ABAB rhyme scheme and this pattern continuous till the end.
End Rhyme: End rhyme is used to make the stanza melodious. For example, “array/lay”, “dawn/lawn”
and “hide/pride.”
Quotes to be Used
The lines stated below are suitable in a speech as a quote while talking about the transience of life and
humility.
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RELATED POSTS
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