In what particulars can Gray‟s Elegy be called Romantic? ( MEG 102 ) ( EARLY ROMANTIC POETS )

Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" is a poem that was written in the mid-18th century and is often considered to be a precursor to the Romantic movement. While Gray's elegy is not considered to be a full-fledged Romantic poem, it does contain several elements that anticipate the themes and techniques of Romantic poetry.

One way in which Gray's elegy can be called Romantic is in its celebration of nature. The poem is set in a rural churchyard and is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, including images of birds, trees, and the changing seasons. This focus on the beauty and power of nature is a key feature of Romantic poetry.

Another way in which Gray's elegy can be called Romantic is in its exploration of themes of mortality and the passage of time. The poem reflects on the lives and deaths of ordinary people and considers the question of what kind of legacy we leave behind when we die. This interest in the human condition and in the fleeting nature of life is another key theme of Romantic poetry.

Finally, Gray's elegy can be called Romantic in its use of imaginative language and powerful imagery. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative descriptions that create a rich and atmospheric world for the reader. This emphasis on the power of the imagination to create emotional and intellectual experiences through language is another key feature of Romantic poetry.

Overall, while Gray's elegy is not a full-fledged Romantic poem, it contains several elements that anticipate the themes and techniques of Romantic poetry, including a celebration of nature, an exploration of themes of mortality and the passage of time, and a focus on imaginative language and powerful imagery.