Question: Discuss when Lilacs Last at the Dooryard Bloomed as an elegy.
Introduction
The word ‘elegy’ comes from the Greek word ‘elegos’ meaning ‘song’. Elegy is a poem or song that expresses sadness, especially for someone who has died. “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” published in 1865 is a long poem in the form of an elegy written by American poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892). The poem has been written in the tradition of pastoral elegy focusing on the death of the 16th president of America Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).
Function of elegy
Elegy is one of the richest literary forms because it has the capacity to express emotions that deeply influence people. The most powerful of the tools Elegy uses is to rely on the memory of those who are no longer there. Most of the poets who wrote elegies were evidently awed by the frailty of human beings, and how the world completely forgets about the deceased at some point. So, from the functional perspective “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”, is a perfect paradigm of elegy.
Creating a gloomy atmosphere
The elegiac poets create a gloomy atmosphere at the outset of the poem so that mourn can be expressed deeply. Walt Whitman has created a sorrowful atmosphere in the poem. In grieving for the death of the beloved leader, the poet sat looking at the day closing with its light and fields of spring. He observed that the farmers are preparing their crops. He also observed the unconscious scenery of the land with its sky and earth, rivers and hills, cities, people, houses, and streets. All of a sudden there appeared the long black trail of death. It enveloped all including the poet. Such outer environment was filled with sadness by the song of the bird as the poet says:
“And the charm of the carol rapt me,
As I held as if by their hands my comrades in the night,
And the vice of my spirit tallied the song of the bird.”
The lines indicate the sad song of the bird as matching the voice of the poet’s spirit. Both sang welcoming death and knowledge of death. Because of this environmental background of the poem, it is an elegy.
Lyrical quality
Though the poem has been written in blank verse, it is not devoid of lyrical quality. As an innovative writer and poet, Whitman has a unique capacity to produce lyricism in blank verse.
“O powerful western fallen star!
O shades of night—O moody, tearful night!”
Elegant language and structure
One of the most important features of elegy is the elegant language and strong structure. The language used in the poem is very rich. The poem has a cyclic structure. It can be divided into three cycles. The first cycle is from sections 1 to 4. It introduces the three major symbols of the poem ‘lilac, star and bird’ and expresses the deep grief of the poet for his beloved leader. The second cycle is from sections 5 to 9. This cycle depicts the journey of the coffin-bearing train through natural scenery and industrial cities. Sections 10-13 constitute the third cycle that presents the utmost grief of the poet. Section 14, 15, and 16 restates the themes of the poem.
Questions about the nature of life, death, and immortality of the soul
The elegy raises questions regarding the nature of life, death, and immortality of the soul. The poem suggests the American to lead a praiseworthy and sacrificial life like Abraham Lincoln but the type of death that has snatched away the life of the beloved leader must be prevented though his soul is immortal. Thus, this poem is an elegy.
Consolation
The most significant feature of the elegy is consolation by the end of the poem remembering the poet’s own death. We can quote here from the poem.
“Dark mother always gliding near with soft feet,
Have none chanted for thee a chant of fullest welcome?”
Thus, the poet provides the note of consolation that death is not evil rather it relieves everyone from the pains, troubles, worries, and anxieties of life.
Conclusion
Generally, elegies are identified by different types of features. “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” fulfills the fundamental characteristic features of elegy. The above thesis-based negotiation proves it.
