The Dead
By Rupert Brooke
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours of the earth.
These had seen movement, and heard music; known
Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended.There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,
Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.
Summary of The Dead
- Popularity of “The Dead”: This inspiring poem “The Dead” is written by Rupert Brooke, a great English poet, and writer. It was first published in 1955. The poem shows that some people who have left this transient world, have spent a life full of colors, emotions, and joys. It also explains what waits for them in the world hereafter. The depiction of the worldly life, and the reward “the dead” receive in the afterlife is what makes this poem a unique piece of literature.
- “The Dead” As a Representative of Life: This brief but touching poem revolves around the life people spend on earth and what they receive once their spirits are transferred to the world where there is no end. The poem begins when the speaker accounts for the life the dead might have enjoyed in the world. He says that their hearts must have experienced happiness, worries, joys, and sorrows. They might have enjoyed the dawns, the sunsets, and colors of the universe. They would have tasted the fruits of love, friendships; they knew what love is and what it feels to be loved by someone.
Unlike everyone, they knew the quick stir of wonder on something unexpected and how it feels to be alone. Unfortunately, everything ended at the arrival of death. The second part of the poem reflects the kind of life they enjoy after death. The writer says that the afterlife is greater in its radiance and peace. The peaceful and heartwarming image of the next world provides us a chance to find hope in death. What however, enchants the reader is the way the poet establishes the fact that the departed souls remain in the realm of the sacred glory of God. - Major Themes in “The Dead”: The transience of life, death, and human emotions are the major themes of the poem. This poem is divided into two parts; the first one describes the life people adore on earth, having all the pleasures. The second part deals with the perfection and wonders they receive in the world hereafter. The speaker beautifully illustrates human emotions that everyone has to go through the same channel; we experience happiness, sorrows, miseries, and pains. Also, we feel amazed at the worldly charms. Unfortunately, the unavoidable death puts an end to everything we experience, feel, and do on the earth. The speaker does not present death as something horrific or terrifying. Instead, he introduces us with a soft and peaceful image of death. To him, death does not snatch anything from us; it only transports us to another world, where God’s grace and glory permanently surround us.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “The Dead”
Literary devices are tools that help the author to present his/her ideas, feelings, and emotions in a better way. It is through these devices the writers make their few words appealing to the readers. Rupert Brooke has also used some literary devices in this poem to make it appealing. The analysis of some of the literary devices used in this poem is listed below.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line in quick succession. For example, the sound of /i/ in “There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter” and the sound of /uh/ in “Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone”.
- Consonance: It is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick succession. For example, the sound of /r/ in “Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance” and the sound of /s/ in “Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance.”
- Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; instead, it rolls over to the next line. For example,
“And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.”
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “These hearts were woven of human joys and cares”, “Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone” and “There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter.”
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between the objects that are different in nature. The title of the poem, “The Dead” is metaphoric as it talks about the people that have or will die.
- Symbolism: Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from the literal meanings. “Unbroken glory” and “a shining peace” symbolize the peaceful life the dead will enjoy in the afterlife.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “The Dead”
Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.
- End Rhyme: End rhyme is used to make the stanza melodious. For example, “laughter/after”, “white/night”, and “known/alone.”
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows ABAB rhyme scheme in the first stanza. In the stanza, it changes to AABCBC.
- Stanza: A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. This poem is a sonnet with two stanzas. The first stanza consists of eight verses and the second stanza with six verses.
- Sestet: A sestet is a six-lined stanza borrowed from the Italian poetry. The second stanza is a sestet
- Octave: An octave or octets is an eight-lined stanza, which is also borrowed from Italian poetry. Here the first stanza is an octave.
Quotes to be Used
The lines stated below are suitable for a speech to make people find comfort in the permanent afterlife. These can also be used to reduce the fear of death from the hearts of the people.
“There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,
Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness.”