How does Gray Glorify the Common Men in Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard?

Answer

How does Gray glorify the common men in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”?

In “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” (1751), Thomas Gray (1716-1771) glorifies the lives of the common men who lie buried in a rural churchyard. Although these villagers were neither wealthy nor famous, Gray believes their lives held great value and beauty. He uses gentle and respectful language to honor their contributions. Gray shows that the simplicity of common men can be just as noble as wealth and power. Gray glorifies the common men in the following manner.

Peaceful and Quiet Lives: Gray begins the poem by describing the calm, rural setting where these common men are buried. He writes,

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day…

And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

In these lines, Gray paints a picture of a peaceful evening as day turns to night. This calm setting reflects the quiet and peaceful lives of the villagers. Through this setting, Gray shows respect for the villagers’ simple, natural way of life.

Death Makes Everyone Equal: Gray reflects on the universality of death. He shows that both rich and poor share the same fate. He writes,

The paths of glory lead but to the grave,

Here, the poet suggests that even the most famous and powerful people cannot escape death. In the churchyard, rich and poor alike lie buried, equal in death. This idea of equality in death highlights the value of common men. It shows that the lives of these humble villagers are just as important as those of kings and noblemen.

Celebrating the Simple Joys of Life: Gray respects the simple joys that fill the villagers’ lives. He imagines them working hard on their land, spending time with family, and finding happiness in their routines. He describes farmers returning home after each day.

The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

It shows that the common villagers found satisfaction in honest work. Their hopes were simple and sincere. Gray suggests the villagers’ lives might not have been grand or luxurious, but they were rich in contentment.

Hidden Talents and Potential: Gray believes that these common men may have had great talents that went unnoticed due to their social status and poverty. He writes,

Full many a flow’r is born to blush unseen,

And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

In this metaphor, he compares the villagers to beautiful flowers that bloom in isolation. Gray implies that some of the villagers might have been great poets, musicians, or leaders if they had been given the chance. By acknowledging their hidden potential, Gray glorifies the common men.

Uncorrupted Humble Lives: Gray also suggests that their humble lives protected them from the dangers of ambition and fame. By living simple, anonymous lives, the villagers were able to avoid greed and moral corruption. Gray admires that their humility and honesty made them virtuous.

We can wrap up that, Gray honors the lives of the common men who lie buried in the churchyard. He uses respectful language to show that their simple lives held great dignity. Gray glorifies the villagers by showing that greatness can exist in even the humblest of lives.