Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray Poem Analysis

In these stanzas (13-16), the poet remarks, the villagers who were dead would also have talent. There might be a Milton or a Cromwell buried there. They did not get opportunities to prove themselves. Like gems hidden deep under the ocean and like desert flowers, they have perished without notice. Given opportunities, they would have also succeeded. People would have read their deeds in history.

To put the content of these stanzas in a nutshell (Stanza 17-20), the villagers did not wish to involve in treachery and deceit. They were honest people and wished to lead simple lives. So, they kept themselves away from the mad crowd of the cities and kingdoms. They were true to themselves. They liked peace and honesty. But still, there were markings to note their memory. The tombstones were simple. The language was ordinary. But, there is truth in their memory.

The dead villagers rest in the graveyard without recognition (Stanza 21-24). Also, this poem will be a tribute to them. They lived their lives with morals. They died in the care of a loving person. And, they closed their eyes with prayers in one ’ s eyes. One day, a kind soul may come and enquire after the dead one out of curiosity.

If someone asks about the poet who rests in the graveyard (Stanza 25-28), one of the villagers may talk about him. A free-spirited man was the poet. He went to the mountains in the morning, stood under the beach tree sometimes. Then, he went to the brook. Besides, he was sometimes muttering his fancies. The villager would say that he missed seeing the man one day. The poet was missing. The villager did not see him in his usual places. But, he saw the funeral procession and how the man was buried in the graveyard.

In this part of the poem (stanza 29-32), he says that his epitaph would read thus: Here lies the young man who was not popular. His life was full of sorrow. Knowledge was his only wealth. He gave his life to misery and all he longed was for a friend to support. One need not look away to know about him. All that he did lies with him, close to god in the lap of earth.

Reference

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44299/elegy-written-in-a-country-churchyard

https://poemanalysis.com/thomas-gray/elegy-written-in-a-country-churchyard/

Klages, Mary. Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed. New York: Continuum, 2006.