Q. How does Thomas Gray glorify the common men in his elegy “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”?
Introduction: Thomas Gray (1716 – 1771) is a leading English poet. ”Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ (1751) is the best poem of his 13 poems. In his elegy “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” Thomas Gray celebrates and honors the lives of ordinary people. Through his eloquent and reflective poetry, he emphasizes the worth and significance of common men and their contributions to society.
The way how Gray has glorified the common men:
Elegy is a mournful poem regarding the death of the nearest and dearest one. Let’s see how the poet has glorified the common people in his poem’ ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’.
Appreciation of the dead: The fundamental feature of an elegy is a mournful atmosphere and evaluation of the dead. Like other famous elegies of English literature, Thomas Gray has glorified the dead villagers in an outstanding way. He makes a comparative and contrasting study between the simple villagers and rich urban people.
Read: “Ulysses” Short Summary
Defense against the objection of the Rich: Gray depicts the simple lifestyle of the villagers, but he is very strict to warn the highly ambitious urban people not to mock the simple life of the villagers. He relates that the boastful and powerful way of life cannot prevent death as death is inevitable for all.
“The paths of glory lead but to the grave”
So, the poor villagers are simple and free from high ambition which makes them happy to imbibe life fully.
Free from corruption: The poet glorifies the villagers as human beings who are free from corruption. Behind the history of empire and wealthy people, there is an abominable history of corruption and tyranny. As the villagers were happy in the banal way of their life, they were blessed with heavenly pleasure. The latent talent of the villagers Gray has compared the villagers in the following lines:
“Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid.
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire”
By such comparison, he means to say that the talent of these poor dead villagers was not tiny but extreme penury did not allow them to disclose their merit. They could be politicians and poets like Milton if they got the opportunity. They had died like the unseen bloomed flowers of the desert or deep forest. The poet thinks there is no price for talent if there is no opportunity to flourish and expose this.
The possibility of being a great personality: The poet further glorifies them by the possibility of being a great personality. He means to say that if common people had been given a chance, some of those could have been great personalities. He mentions Hampden, Milton, and Oliver Cromwell to glorify them.
The simplicity of country life: The poet says that country people lead their life in the situation of poverty. On the other hand, urban people lead their life in a situation of luxury. The poet says common people have no ambition, disdainful smile, the pomp of power, etc. but they have homely joys and simple annals.
Read: What is a Dramatic Monologue? Explain Ulysses as a dramatic monologue.
Conclusion: In his poem “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” Thomas Gray praises and honors the ordinary people who lived and died in the countryside. He portrays them as humble, hardworking individuals who deserve recognition and respect. This poem serves as a tribute to the common men and women, highlighting their virtues and reminding us of the value of every individual’s life. In conclusion, Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” celebrates the lives of ordinary people and emphasizes the significance of their contributions, elevating them to a position of honor and reverence.
