IGNOU BEGC-108 SOLVED ASSIGNMENT 2023-24
Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” is rich with metaphors and personifications that contribute to the poem’s vivid imagery and emotional depth. These literary devices enhance the poem’s themes of mortality, the passage of time, and the quiet lives of common people. Let’s discuss some of the notable metaphors and personifications in the poem:
1. Metaphors of Night and Day: Gray employs metaphors of night and day to convey the cycle of life and death. In the opening stanza, “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,” the curfew’s tolling is likened to the sound of a funeral bell, symbolizing the end of life. Night is portrayed as a metaphor for death, a time when people rest in “the village sleep.” Conversely, day symbolizes life and activity.
2. Personification of Time: Time is personified throughout the poem as a powerful force that inevitably leads to the end of life. In stanza two, Time is referred to as the “hoary-headed swain,” emphasizing its aged and relentless nature. Time’s gradual transformation of the landscape and its effects on human lives create a sense of inevitability and melancholy.
3. Personification of Death: Death is personified as a “gaunt Gleaner” in stanza eight, an image of a grim reaper-like figure gathering the harvest of human lives. This personification underscores death’s inevitability and its role as a natural conclusion to life, much like the harvest marks the culmination of growth.
4. Metaphor of Fame’s “storied urn”: In stanza twenty-two, the metaphor of the “storied urn” represents the written records of famous individuals. This metaphor contrasts with the “frail memorial,” symbolizing the lack of recognition for the common villagers buried in the churchyard. It reflects the theme of social inequality and the fleeting nature of fame.
5. Personification of Labor and Simplicity: Labor and simplicity are personified as “handmaidens” in stanza twenty-five. They are characterized as virtuous and humble, serving as a contrast to the extravagance and ostentation of the wealthy. This personification emphasizes the value of honest work and the dignity of ordinary lives.
6. Personification of Evening: In stanza thirty-one, evening is personified as “Evening, Friend of the Muses.” This personification evokes a sense of tranquility and inspiration, aligning with the theme of the poem as a reflective and contemplative piece.
7. Metaphor of the “mute inglorious Milton”: This famous metaphor, found in stanza thirty-five, suggests the existence of genius and potential that goes unrecognized. The metaphor of an “inglorious” Milton refers to the idea that there may have been brilliant individuals who never gained fame or recognition due to their circumstances.
These metaphors and personifications contribute to the poem’s emotional impact and its exploration of themes related to life, death, societal inequality, and the significance of individual lives. They create a vivid and evocative portrayal of the rural churchyard and the people who rest there, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of human existence.
