Thomas Gray has sometimes been classified as a pre-Romantic writer. Romantic writers valued emotional experience over logical arguments, nature and common people over organized society, and imagination over reason. What evidence from “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” supports Gray’s classification as a pre-Romantic? Your response should be one paragraph long.

Answer 1

“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray showcases several elements that align with the pre-Romantic classification. One of the key characteristics of pre-Romantic literature is the emphasis on nature and common people. In the poem, Gray focuses on the simple lives of ordinary villagers and describes the beauty and tranquility of the countryside. He portrays the village as a place where common individuals rest in eternal peace, away from the corruption of the world. This celebration of nature and common people over organized society is a central theme of pre-Romantic literature, indicating Gray's alignment with this movement. Additionally, Gray's reflective and contemplative tone throughout the elegy aligns with the emphasis on emotional experiences and imagination that was highly valued by the Romantic writers.