Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
Poetry
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Thomas Gray
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard Themes
Death: The central theme of this poem is death. Thomas Gray shows that death is the same for everyone. Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, famous or unknown, all people eventually disappear into the silent calm of the churchyard. No one is special in the face of death. All success, fame, power, and beauty lose their meaning at the edge of the grave. That is why the poet says, “Paths of glory lea...
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Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard Characters
John Hampden: John Hampden was a brave and principled English statesman. He stood firmly against unjust local rulers and even small village tyrants. His main quality was extraordinary courage in the face of injustice. He led the movement against unfair taxes and risked his life to protect the rights of the people. When Thomas Gray refers to a “village Hampden,” he means an ordinary man in the vill...
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Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard Key Facts
Full Title: Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
Original Title: Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
Author: Thomas Gray (1716–1771)
Written Date: 1742–1750 (written gradually over several years)
Published Date: 1751
First Published In: The Magazine of Magazines (1751); later printed separately
Genre: Elegy; Meditative and Reflective Poem; Graveyard Poetry
Form: Heroic...
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Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Imagery
Definition: Imagery is a figure of speech where the poet uses vivid and descriptive language to create clear pictures in the reader’s mind.
Example: “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day.”
Explanation: The poet describes the evening bell, the fading light, and the sound of cattle to create a clear scene of a quiet rural evening.
Effect: It evokes a sense of...
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Notes
Explore 6 detailed notes related to Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.