What is elegy? Discuss After the funeral as an Elegy
After the Funeral is a notable literary work by Dylan Thomas. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the main text, key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary Devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of After the Funeral.
Answer
What is elegy? Discuss After the funeral as an Elegy.
Elegy: An elegy is a mournful poem, usually written to praise and express sorrow for the death of a close person.
After the Funeral as an Elegy: “After the Funeral” by Dylan Thomas (1914-53) is an iconic elegy about his aunt Ann Jones, who had recently passed away. The poem reflects on grief, loss, and the passage of time.
Expression of Grief: The poem begins with the speaker describing the scene at his aunt’s funeral, with mourners gathered around his coffin. The poem describes the emotional impact of the death of his aunt on him.
The speaker then reflects on the passing of time and how life goes on even after death as the natural world moves forward. Throughout the poem, the speaker describes his aunt’s absence as a “gaping blankness”. Despite this, the speaker is comforted by the memories of his aunt, which he cherishes and holds.
Reflection on Mortality: The poem’s final lines are particularly moving, as the speaker imagines his aunt’s spirit living in the world around him, the flowers, the trees, and the wind. The poem ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that even in death, our loved ones remain with us somehow. Dylan Thomas says,
“Blees her bent spirit with four, crossing birds”
To conclude, “After the Funeral” is a beautiful elegy that explores the complexities of grief and loss and offers comfort in the idea that those we love never truly leave us.