Churchyard Elegy Poem
Country Churchyard' 1751
"Country Churchyard" is a poem by Thomas Gray, first published in 1751. It is considered one of the most famous and well-loved elegies in the English language. The poem reflects on the lives of the people buried in a small rural churchyard and explores themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of fame, and the power of memory. Its most famous stanza reads: "Full many a gem of purest ray serene / The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear: / Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, / And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
Conclusion of this poem
The conclusion of Thomas Gray's poem "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" expresses the idea that even though the people buried in the churchyard were not famous or wealthy, they still lived meaningful lives and made important contributions to the world. The speaker suggests that the memory of these individuals will live on, even if they are not celebrated in the same way as those who achieve great worldly success. The poem ends with the famous lines: "The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, / And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, / Awaits alike the inevitable hour: / The paths of glory lead but to the grave." This suggests that even the most famous and powerful people are ultimately subject to the same fate as everyone else, and that true greatness is measured not by external achievements, but by the impact we have on those around us.
Comments