Page 262 - DENG405_BRITISH_POETRY

Unit 25: Thomas Gray: The Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

Stanza 22 Notes
The poets explain the reason of memorials raised over the grave of the poor rustics. No one wishes
to get an oblivion curse. Life is full of struggle, people love to life and no one wishes to die without
casting a regretful look behind. Even the poor when they die wish to be remembered long after
their death.
Stanza 23
Even the parting soul wants his dear ones to shed some tears. This happens to be a natural wish, the
longing of man when he closes his eyes to confront death. Even when these rustics had turned into
ashes they wished that their account of life and death is inscribed in their tombs.
Stanza 24
The poet who was sympathetic towards these villagers gave an account of their life. They were not
honored in their life, but the poet related their entire tale of life in these lines. What would happen
if someone close to the poet would inquire about him after his death?
Stanza 25
The poet visualizes that after his departure from this world some white haired peasants might say,
“Often he was seen at daybreak, walking fast and sweeping the dew drops with his feet and reaching
the churchyard at daybreak.
Stanza 26
At the foot of that bending tree, which has grown old with the passage of time and having its roots
risen out from earth? The poet stretches himself in a lazy manner during the noon, and ponders
over the dead rustic by looking at the soft murmuring brook.
Stanza 27
The poet, Thomas Gray wondered close by the woods (the he would loiter aimlessly, sad and
depressed. He was lonely, as appeared from his face. He was terribly worried about the hopelessness
of love which made him go crazy.
Stanza 28
Some old peasant might say some morning that he could not be found on the hills which he used to
walk along, nor could he to walk along the heath. Another morning came and he was not found
resting under the shade of the old tree near the brook, neither in the lawn not in the woods.
Stanza 29
On the final morning, his dead body was carried in a funeral procession with funeral lamentation,
slowly leading its way to the church. Let the passerby read the epitaph on his grave stone beneath
the old hawthorn tree.
Stanza 30
Here the poet lies buried upon the lap of Earth. He was neither famous nor fortunate enough to
acquire wealth. He was knowledgeable although he was born in a modest family. His life was
devoid of happiness as he was destined to live a life of sorrow and misery.
Stanza 31
He was indeed a sincere soul, liberal and charitable. He was well rewarded from God. He gifted
and left all that he had at the disposal of the miserable and poor people. In return, he received the
love and affection of God and also of his fellow friends.
Stanza 32
No one need to further inquire about his merits and faults at the same time. His merits lies in the
bosom of God waiting to be rewarded with his faults and weaknesses waits for the Judgment Day
when he will be punished for his treason.

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