“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

And leaves the world to darkness and to me.
Now fades the glimm’ring landscape on the sight,
And all the air a solemn stillness holds,

Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds;
Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tow’r

The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such, as wand’ring near her secret bow’r,
Molest her ancient solitary reign.

Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree’s shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mould’ring heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.
The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn,
The swallow twitt’ring from the straw-built shed,

The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed.
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,

Or busy housewife ply her evening care:
No children run to lisp their sire’s return,
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share.

Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield,
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke;
How jocund did they drive their team afield!

How bow’d the woods beneath their sturdy stroke!
Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;

Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor.
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow’r,

And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Nor you, ye proud, impute to these the fault,
If Mem’ry o’er their tomb no trophies raise,
Where thro’ the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault

The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?

Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust,
Or Flatt’ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death?
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid

Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands, that the rod of empire might have sway’d,
Or wak’d to ecstasy the living lyre.

But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with the spoils of time did ne’er unroll;
Chill Penury repress’d their noble rage,

And froze the genial current of the soul.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear:

Full many a flow’r is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast

The little tyrant of his fields withstood;
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood.

Th’ applause of list’ning senates to command,
The threats of pain and ruin to despise,
To scatter plenty o’er a smiling land,

And read their hist’ry in a nation’s eyes,
Their lot forbade: nor circumscrib’d alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confin’d;

Forbade to wade through slaughter to a throne,
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind,
The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide,

To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame,
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled at the Muse’s flame.

Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes never learn’d to stray;
Along the cool sequester’d vale of life

They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.
Yet ev’n these bones from insult to protect,
Some frail memorial still erected nigh,

With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture deck’d,
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh.
Their name, their years, spelt by th’ unletter’d muse,

The place of fame and elegy supply:
And many a holy text around she strews,
That teach the rustic moralist to die.

For who to dumb Forgetfulness a prey,
This pleasing anxious being e’er resign’d,
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day,

Nor cast one longing, ling’ring look behind?
On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires;

Ev’n from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
Ev’n in our ashes live their wonted fires.
For thee, who mindful of th’ unhonour’d Dead

Dost in these lines their artless tale relate;
If chance, by lonely contemplation led,
Some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate,

Haply some hoary-headed swain may say,
“Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn
Brushing with hasty steps the dews away

To meet the sun upon the upland lawn.
“There at the foot of yonder nodding beech
That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high,

His listless length at noontide would he stretch,
And pore upon the brook that babbles by.
“Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn,

Mutt’ring his wayward fancies he would rove,
Now drooping, woeful wan, like one forlorn,
Or craz’d with care, or cross’d in hopeless love.

“One morn I miss’d him on the custom’d hill,
Along the heath and near his fav’rite tree;
Another came; nor yet beside the rill,

Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he;
“The next with dirges due in sad array
Slow thro’ the church-way path we saw him borne.

Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay,
Grav’d on the stone beneath yon aged thorn.”

THE EPITAPH

Table of Contents

Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth

A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.
Fair Science frown’d not on his humble birth,
And Melancholy mark’d him for her own.

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,
Heav’n did a recompense as largely send:
He gave to Mis’ry all he had, a tear,

He gain’d from Heav’n (‘twas all he wish’d) a friend.
No farther seek his merits to disclose,
Or draw his frailties from their dread abode,

(There they alike in trembling hope repose)
The bosom of his Father and his God.

Introduction

Published in 1751, “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray quickly gained popularity for its poetic beauty and profound reflections on life and death after it appeared in the public. It has since become one of the most popular and oft-quoted poems in the English language. It is widely read and admired for its timeless themes and elegant language. Despite having written back in the eighteenth century, the poem continues to inspire and move readers around the world, winning its due place in anthologies and school and college textbooks.

Annotations of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

Verse	Difficult Words/Phrases	Explanation
1	curfew tolls, knell, parting day	Refers to the ringing of a bell signaling the end of the day and the beginning of the night.
2	lowing herd, lea	Describes the sound of cows mooing and their movement across a meadow.
3	plowman, homeward plods	Describes a farmer who is walking home after a long day’s work.
5	fades, glimm’ring landscape	Refers to the landscape becoming less visible as the light diminishes.
7	beetle wheels his droning flight	Describes the sound of a beetle flying in circles.
8	drowsy tinklings, distant folds	Refers to the sound of sheep and their bells in the distance.
9	ivy-mantled tow’r	Describes a tower covered with ivy vines.
10	moping owl	Refers to an owl that is sad or depressed.
12	ancient solitary reign	Describes the owl’s territory as being old and alone.
13	rugged elms, yew-tree’s shade, mould’ring heap	Describes the environment where the villagers are buried, with specific details of the trees and the state of the ground.
15	narrow cell	Refers to a burial plot.
17	incense-breathing Morn	Refers to the morning air being filled with the scent of incense.
19	clarion, echoing horn	Refers to the sound of a rooster and a horn in the distance.
25	sickle yield, stubborn glebe	Refers to the harvest season and the work required to farm the land.
29	Ambition, useful toil, destiny obscure	Refers to the importance of the work of the villagers, even though they did not achieve great things in life.
33	heraldry, pow’r	Refers to symbols of power and wealth, such as family crests and titles.
35	inevitable hour	Refers to death, which will come to everyone.
38	Mem’ry, trophies	Refers to the idea that even though the villagers were not famous or wealthy, they still deserve to be remembered and honored in some way.
Line	Phrase/Verse	Annotation
41	storied urn	A decorative container or vase that is adorned with stories or images of famous people or events.
42	mansion call the fleeting breath	The breath, which represents life, departs from the body and returns to the mansion or abode of the soul in the afterlife.
43	Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust	A rhetorical question that asks if the voice of Honor can awaken or motivate the dead who are buried and silent.
44	Flatt’ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death	A rhetorical question that asks if flattery can comfort or appease death, which is often viewed as emotionless and cold.
46	pregnant with celestial fire	Full of inspiration and divine creativity.
47	rod of empire might have sway’d	Refers to the scepter or staff that is often carried by monarchs or rulers as a symbol of their power and control over their empire or kingdom.
50	Rich with the spoils of time	Refers to the vast knowledge and wisdom that comes from the accumulation of experiences and history over time.
53	gem of purest ray serene	A metaphor that compares a precious and valuable gem to the peaceful and calm rays of light that shine on it.
55	born to blush unseen	Refers to the idea that some beautiful things in life go unnoticed and unappreciated.
57	village-Hampden	Refers to John Hampden, an English politician who opposed King Charles I and defended the rights of the Parliament.
59	mute inglorious Milton	Refers to John Milton, a famous English poet who is considered one of the greatest writers in the English language.
60	Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood	Refers to Oliver Cromwell, a political and military leader who played a key role in the English Civil War and the overthrow of the monarchy.
63	scatter plenty o’er a smiling land	Refers to the idea of spreading prosperity and abundance throughout a happy and content society.
73	madding crowd’s ignoble strife	Refers to the noisy and chaotic activities of the common people who are often engaged in petty conflicts and struggles.
76	noiseless tenor of their way	Refers to the quiet and uneventful lives of those who are content to live a simple and peaceful existence.
78	frail memorial still erected nigh	Refers to the fragile and vulnerable monuments or markers that are placed near graves to commemorate the dead.
85	dumb Forgetfulness a prey	Refers to the idea that the dead are forgotten and abandoned by the living who have moved on with their lives.
89	parting soul relies	Refers to the belief that the dying seeks comfort and support from loved ones and spiritual beliefs.
91	voice of Nature cries	Refers to the idea that the natural world has a voice and spirit that transcends human existence and speaks to us through our emotions and instincts.
117	lap of Earth	Refers to the idea that the dead return to the soil or earth from which they came.

Literary Devices in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

Literary Device	Verse	Explanation, Function, and Meaning
Personification	“The curfew tolls the knell of parting day”	The curfew is personified as if it has the ability to ring a bell, signaling the end of the day. The personification helps to create a mood of finality and closure, foreshadowing the theme of death that runs throughout the poem.
Imagery	“The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea” (line 2) Along the cool sequester’d vale of life” (line 75)	This line creates a vivid image of a herd of cows moving slowly across the grassy field. The imagery helps to establish the rural setting and to create a peaceful, pastoral mood.
Metaphor	“And leaves the world to darkness and to me”	The speaker compares the end of the day to the end of his life. The metaphor emphasizes the speaker’s feeling of isolation and loneliness, as well as the theme of mortality that runs throughout the poem.
Symbolism	“The paths of glory lead but to the grave”	This line symbolizes the idea that no matter how successful or famous a person becomes, they will inevitably die and be forgotten. The symbolism reinforces the poem’s theme of the equality of all people in death.
Irony	“Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air”	This line is ironic because it suggests that there are many talented and creative people who are never recognized or appreciated for their talents. The irony highlights the unfairness of the world and reinforces the poem’s themes of social inequality and the transience of fame.
Repetition	“Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined”	The repetition of the word “their” helps to emphasize the idea that the poor are limited in their opportunities to express their virtues, but are also limited in their ability to commit crimes. The repetition reinforces the poem’s themes of social inequality and the limitations placed on people based on their social class.
Metaphor	“Now fades the glimm’ring landscape on the sight” (line 5)	Compares the disappearing landscape to the end of life and its fading away. It emphasizes the fleeting nature of human life.
Personification	“Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight” (line 7)	Gives human qualities to the beetle, which emphasizes the stillness and silence of the night.
Hyperbole	“Full many a gem of purest ray serene” (line 53)	An exaggeration that emphasizes the idea that there are countless hidden talents and virtues in the world that go unrecognized.
Irony	“Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood” (line 60)	An unexpected twist in meaning that highlights the idea that some of the people buried in the graveyard may have been heroes.
Oxymoron	“sober wishes” (line 74)	Pairs contradictory terms together to create a new meaning that emphasizes the modest and restrained nature of the people buried in the graveyard.
Euphemism	“Chill Penury” (line 51)	Substitutes a mild, indirect, or vague term for a harsh, blunt, or offensive one. In this case, poverty is presented in a less harsh way.

Sound and Poetic Devices in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

Literary Device	Examples/Reference	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	“The next with dirges due in sad array” (line 114)“The plowman homeward plods his weary way” (line 02)	Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sound in words close to each other such as “d” and “w” in these lines. In this poem, they a musical effect, emphasize certain words, or simply to create a pleasing sound to the ear.
Assonance	“lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea” (line 2), “drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds” (line 8)	Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in words close to each other such as “e” and “o.” In poetry, it can create a sense of rhythm and musicality, as well as emphasizing certain words.
Consonance	“leaves the world to darkness” (line 4), “laid, the rude forefathers” (line 15)	Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in words close to each other such as “l” and “f.” It creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, and emphasizes certain words or ideas.
End Rhyme	“lea” (line 2) and “me” (line 4)	End rhyme is the rhyming of words at the end of two or more lines of poetry. It can create a sense of closure to a stanza or poem, and emphasizes certain words.
Rhyme Scheme	The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB in each stanza.	A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyme that is used in a poem. It can help create a sense of rhythm and musicality in a poem, and can also be used to emphasize certain words or ideas.
Diction	The language used in the poem is formal and elevated, using words such as “plowman,” “homeward,” and “incense-breathing Morn.”	Diction refers to the choice of words and language used in a poem. In this case, the formal and elevated language creates a sense of solemnity and dignity in the poem.
Verse Type	The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line having ten syllables and alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.	Verse type refers to the meter or rhythm of the poem. In this case, the use of iambic pentameter creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.
Stanza Type	The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza having four verses.	Stanza type refers to the grouping of lines in a poem. In this case, the use of quatrains creates a sense of structure and organization in the poem.
Poem Type	The poem is an elegy, which is a type of poem that mourns the loss of a person or thing.	Poem type refers to the overall genre or style of the poem. In this case, the elegy form allows the poet to reflect on the lives and deaths of ordinary people, and to contemplate the meaning of life and death.
Tone	The tone of the poem is somber, melancholic, and reflective. The speaker mourns the loss of the “rude forefathers” and reflects on the fleeting nature of life.	Tone refers to the attitude or mood conveyed by the poem. In this case, the somber and reflective tone creates a sense of melancholy and contemplation in the poem.

Functions of Literary Devices in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

Imagery: Gray uses concise, clear and natural images to create a real experience of emotional outburst over the death of his friend. For example, he describes the scene of dusk as the curfew tolls, the herd moves slowly, while the plowman makes his way home in the very first stanza. These images create a sense of peacefulness and the end of the day. It, then, contrasts with the theme of death that permeates each verse of the poem. However, in the second stanza, he uses imagery of the natural world to convey a sense of stillness and quietness. It reflects the peacefulness that pervades a graveyard.
Personification: Gray uses personification to create a sense of the graveyard as a living entity that is also breathing like human beings. For example, in stanza two, he describes the air as holding a solemn stillness, and in stanza three, he personifies the owl as complaining to the moon. This technique creates a sense of the graveyard as a place where even the natural world is aware of death and mourning.
Metaphor: Gray uses metaphors to convey the theme of mortality and the transient nature of life. For example, Gray describes the world as being left dark for him, showing that death has left him alone and isolated. In stanza six, he compares the air to a solemn stillness. It suggests the hush of death. These metaphors help Gray to create a sense of the inevitability of death and its impacts on everything.

Allusion: Gray uses allusions to classical literature to show death taking its toll on everything. For example, he alludes to the myth of the Roman goddess Minerva in the 9^th stanza. This goddess was said to have an owl as her companion. The mention of the owl suggests that even the great figures of the past have become victims of death and decay. This allusion creates a sense of the continuity of human experience and the way that death unites everyone regardless of their station in life.

Themes in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

Mortality: This is the most significant theme of the elegy. Gray reflects on the inevitability of death and this fact it meets everybody regardless of status in life or society. He notes that even the wealthy and powerful become the victims of death as they go to the same grave as the poor. As he writes, “The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, / And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave, / Await alike th’ inevitable hour” (lines 33-35).
Transience of Life: This is second most important theme of this elegy. Gray highlights the fleeting nature of life and the fact that it quickly it passes. He describes how the dead “Each in his narrow cell forever laid, / The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep” (lines 15-16), suggesting that their lives were brief and unremarkable.

Human Equality: This is another important theme of the elegy. It shows that all people are equal in death. Gray argues that the rich and poor are united in death as they share the same fate. He writes, “The paths of glory lead but to the grave” (line 36), suggesting that even those who achieve great things in life are ultimately brought low by death.
Significance of Memory: This is also a good theme presented in the elegy. Gray shows that f memory help the dead live on in some way. He suggests that even though the dead may be forgotten, they live on in the memories of those who knew and loved them. As he writes, “Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast / The little tyrant of his fields withstood” (lines 57-58) to show that even though this person may be forgotten by history, his bravery lives on in the memories of those who knew him.

Literary Theories and “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

New Historicism: This literary perspective focuses on the historical context in which a literary work appears. Then it seeks to understand the work as a product of that time. Applying this theory to Gray’s elegy would involve analyzing the social and economic conditions of rural England of the 18th century as well as the role of poetry in depicting that era. These lines from the poem show this perspective.

“Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree’s shade,

Where heaves the turf in many a mould’ring heap,” (Lines 1-2)

“Full many a gem of purest ray serene,

The dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear:” (Lines 43-44)

Reader-Response Theory: This literary theory suggests that the meaning of a literary work is fluid and not fixed and that meanings come from the interaction between the text and the reader. Applying this theory to this elegy would involve examining the ways in which different readers may interpret the poem based on their own experiences and perspectives.

“Can storied urn or animated bust

Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?

Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust,

Or Flatt’ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death?” (Lines 9-12)

“Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid

Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;” (Lines 33-34)

Formalism: This literary lens or theory focuses the formal qualities of a literary work such as its structure, language, and imagery. Applying this theory to Gray’s elegy involve analyzing its rhyme, meter, and other literary, poetica and sound devices. Here are some relevant lines that could be used in this perspective.

“The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn,

The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed,” (Lines 3-4)

“And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,

Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour.” (Lines 27-28)

Postcolonial Theory: This literary theory focuses on the ways in which colonialism and imperialism have influenced literature and culture. Applying this theory to Gray’s elegy entails examining how this elegy reflects the power dynamics between the rural poor and the ruling classes in 18th-century England, and how it might relate to larger issues of colonialism and imperialism. These lights could be interpreted under this literary theory.

“Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,

Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood.” (Lines 51-52)

“Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife,

Their sober wishes never learn’d to stray;” (Lines 59-60)

Essay Topics, Questions, Thesis Statements about “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

Topic: Main Themes of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
- Relevant questions: What are the main themes in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”? How do these themes relate to the historical and social context of the poem?
- Thesis statement: Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” explores themes of mortality, social class, and the value of simple, rural life, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of eighteenth-century England.

Topic: Imagery and Symbolism in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
- Relevant questions: How does Gray use imagery and symbolism in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” to convey his themes? What are some examples of effective imagery and symbolism in the poem?
- Thesis statement: Through the use of rich imagery and powerful symbolism, Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” evokes a deep sense of nostalgia for a simpler, more pastoral way of life, while also commenting on the transient nature of human existence.

Topic: Literary Criticism of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
- Relevant questions: How has “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” been received by literary critics over time? What are some notable critical interpretations of the poem?
- Thesis statement: Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” has been the subject of much critical analysis over the years, with scholars examining its themes, style, and historical context in order to better understand its enduring popularity and significance.

Topic: Theoretical Perspectives on “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
- Relevant questions: How might different theoretical approaches, such as feminist, postcolonial, or Marxist theory, help us better understand “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”? What are some potential limitations of applying these theoretical frameworks to a poem from the eighteenth century?
- Thesis statement: By considering “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” through a range of theoretical perspectives, we can gain new insights into its themes, imagery, and social context, while also recognizing the challenges and limitations of applying modern theoretical frameworks to an eighteenth-century text.

Short Question-Answer about “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray

What is the theme of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”?

The major theme of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” lies in its power of equalizing death to a power that unites people from all walks of life regardless of their status, position, power and talent. The poet emphasizes the idea that people who lived quiet, humble lives deserve equal remembrance as wealthy and powerful. The argument lies in that the poet sees through the memory of his friend that death has taken all and it does not discriminate on the basis of any bias that exists in the human world.

How does Gray use imagery to create a mournful tone in the poem?

Gray uses natural and everyday imagery to create lugubrious tone. For example, he uses the image of “solemn stillness” of the night to show how dark it is and interruptions of “beetle [that] wheels his droning flight” and the “drowsy tinklings” of distant flocks to show its impact on human mind. He also uses other phrases such as “rugged elms,” “narrow cell,” and “mould’ring heap” to show how graveyards look. These images demonstrate how he puts his own sense of loss into words to show his mourning through this elegy.

How does the poem comment on the relationship between knowledge and social status? The poem suggests that social status and knowledge are not necessarily interlinked. Gray has suggested through his verses that the people buried in the churchyard may have had the potential to achieve greatness, but they faced obstacles through circumstances beyond their control. He states that “Chill Penury repress’d their noble rage, / And froze the genial current of the soul” show that poverty and lack of opportunity have prevented many from realizing their dreams. Hence, the poem also suggests that knowledge is not necessarily linked to social status. It is because some death might have “celestial fire” and “growing virtues” despite their humble origins.
What is the poem’s message about the importance of remembrance?

“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” shows theimportance of remembrance and how memory has powerful influence on human beings to think beyond their ability and capacity. The poet seems arguing his case showing that the people buried in the churchyard were not famous or powerful, yet they deserve to be in our memories to have honor. He urges his readers to think about these lives of th humble people to recognize their contributions and accomplishments. He also seems to suggest that even though death take everyone, the memories of those who have passed away can live on through remembrance and commemoration.