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).

:)

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]

I agree with you.

1.) The correct answer is "imagery of domestic tranquility." Throughout the poem, the speaker uses imagery to depict the peaceful and harmonious lives of the forefathers. This can be seen in lines such as "The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn" and "Their homely joys and destiny obscure."

2.) The correct answer is "References to goals the forefathers never reached." The lines "Full many a gem of purest ray serene, / The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear" suggest that ambition and grandeur are aspirations that the forefathers were unable to attain, emphasizing their humble and obscure lives.

3.) The correct answer is "He favors a democratic government." The poem does not explicitly state the poet's political beliefs, but the tone of the poem, with its emphasis on the equality and worth of all individuals, suggests a democratic sensibility. In line 55, the poet writes, "The applause of listening senates to command, / The threats of pain and ruin to despise, / To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land," which could be seen as advocating for a government that values the voices and well-being of the people.

Well done on your answers!