Analyze the Rhyme Scheme of the Poem “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”.

Analyze the rhyme scheme of the poem “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”.

Thomas Gray’s  (1716-71) “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” (1751), is a beautiful and emotional poem. It talks about life, death, and the quiet lives of simple people. The poem creates a calm and peaceful mood with its words and sounds. Its rhyme scheme is one of the reasons the poem feels so smooth and soothing.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB. This means:

• The first and third lines rhyme with each other.
• The second and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

For example, in the first stanza:

• Day (A)
• Lea (B)
• Way (A)
• Me (B)

This pattern repeats in every stanza. The rhymes are simple and gentle, which matches the quiet tone of the poem. The rhyme scheme also gives the poem a musical flow. This structure makes the poem easy to read and understand. It helps the poet express deep feelings in a calm way.