Romantic elements in Gray s Elegy Written in Country Churchyard
王登彥 101515118
English Literature
November, 22, 2014
Romantic elements in Gray's "Elegy Written in Country Churchyard" "Elegy Written in Country Churchyard", is one of the most famous poems in English literature, is written by Thomas Gray. In this poem, we see that he follows some of the characteristics from each of romanticism and non-romantic. At the side of use and presentation of language, we can consider, maintains the non-romantic ideals, and at the side of theme and setting, it is romantic. So, this poem is very important in both theme and style. Now, we will see how Gray has mingled both the characteristics. Several elements of the poem “Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard characterizes it under romanticism, first of which is its country background with its country churchyard setting. So, the poem has other romanticism characteristics shown in different part. One of the main characteristics of romanticism is the love for nature shown, which is evidently seen in Gray’s poem. Some animals and trees were mentioned in the poem, such as beetle in line 7, owl in line 10, and swallow and cock in line 18 and 19. Also emphasized by the poem is the relationship between natural scenes and reflections. In non-Romantic literature, personification is frequently seen. In the same way, in this poem that Gray uses many abstract words like the living persons, and often places them as the subjects of the verbs. And also in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”, each part contains the same style – each of the line is iambic pentameter. His emotion is also restrained in each part. For example harmony is maintained in non-romantic literature. This poem is circular to the poets himself begins with his own self and ends with his own epitaph, but contains other things also the poor forefathers of the village, contrasting with the rich city people so this poem is a symbol of complete harmony. Total: 324 words
English Literature
November, 22, 2014
Romantic elements in Gray's "Elegy Written in Country Churchyard" "Elegy Written in Country Churchyard", is one of the most famous poems in English literature, is written by Thomas Gray. In this poem, we see that he follows some of the characteristics from each of romanticism and non-romantic. At the side of use and presentation of language, we can consider, maintains the non-romantic ideals, and at the side of theme and setting, it is romantic. So, this poem is very important in both theme and style. Now, we will see how Gray has mingled both the characteristics. Several elements of the poem “Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard characterizes it under romanticism, first of which is its country background with its country churchyard setting. So, the poem has other romanticism characteristics shown in different part. One of the main characteristics of romanticism is the love for nature shown, which is evidently seen in Gray’s poem. Some animals and trees were mentioned in the poem, such as beetle in line 7, owl in line 10, and swallow and cock in line 18 and 19. Also emphasized by the poem is the relationship between natural scenes and reflections. In non-Romantic literature, personification is frequently seen. In the same way, in this poem that Gray uses many abstract words like the living persons, and often places them as the subjects of the verbs. And also in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”, each part contains the same style – each of the line is iambic pentameter. His emotion is also restrained in each part. For example harmony is maintained in non-romantic literature. This poem is circular to the poets himself begins with his own self and ends with his own epitaph, but contains other things also the poor forefathers of the village, contrasting with the rich city people so this poem is a symbol of complete harmony. Total: 324 words