Homework Help: Literature

Posted by Scarlet on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 6:59pm.

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray.

I need help answering these questions, could you tell me if my answers are correct and if no, which one would it be? All help is greatly appreciated:

1.)The speaker's attitude toward the forefathers is best indicated by:
-a direct accusation in the fourth stanza
-imagery of domestic tranquility <<<
-descriptions of rugged elms and the yew tree's shade
-A mocking tone in the third stanza
-All of the above.

2.) Ambition (line 9) and Grandeur (line 11) are best described as:
-References to goals the forefathers never reached <<
-Qualities sadly lacking in the people in country villages
-Character traits that village forefathers would mock
-Character traits which are found in even the people in obscure country villages
-Allegorical depictions of human character traits

3.) Judging from the tone of the poem, which is most likely to describe the poet's political sensibilities?:
-He favors absolute monarchy.
-He favors a limited monarchy with parliamentary control.
-He favors a theocratic government in which leaders make decisions based upon their religious beliefs.
-He favors a democratic government. <<<<
-He is an anarchist (no government).

:)

Literature - Scarlet, Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 7:01pm
The first set of questions refer to this poem.

a portion of "ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCH-YARD"
By Thomas Gray (1716-71)

Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
The rude Forefathers of the hamlet sleep. [4]

For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her evening care:
No children run to lisp their sire's return,
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share, [8]

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the Poor. [12]

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Awaits alike th' inevitable hour:-
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. [16]

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands, that the rod of empire might have sway'd,
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre: [20]

Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood,
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's blood. [24]

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray;
Along the cool sequester'd vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenour of their way. [28]
Literature - bobpursley, Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 7:10pm
I agree with you.

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