Graveyard School

Definition

The Graveyard School refers to a group of 18th-century poets who focused on themes of death, mortality, and the supernatural, often using graveyards as their setting. This literary movement is characterized by its exploration of the darker aspects of human existence, emphasizing melancholy and a fascination with the afterlife. These poets often employed gothic elements, which are closely related to the themes that pervade Gothic poetry.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Graveyard School emerged in response to the Enlightenment's focus on reason, offering a contrasting perspective that emphasized emotion and the mysteries of existence.
2. Key figures associated with the Graveyard School include Thomas Gray, whose poem 'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard' epitomizes the movement's themes.
3. Graveyard poets frequently used natural imagery alongside darker themes to evoke a sense of peace amidst the contemplation of death.
4. This school influenced later Romantic poets by setting a foundation for exploring deeper psychological themes related to life and death.
5. The Graveyard School's focus on mortality allowed for an intimate examination of human emotions and philosophical questions about existence that are still relevant in literature today.

Review Questions

• How did the Graveyard School serve as a reaction to Enlightenment ideals?
  • The Graveyard School emerged as a counterpoint to Enlightenment ideals by emphasizing emotion and the human experience over reason. While Enlightenment thinkers focused on logic and scientific understanding, poets of this school delved into themes of death and mortality, reflecting a deeper connection to human emotions. This reaction fostered a literary environment where personal feelings and the complexities of existence were explored more freely.
• Discuss how Thomas Gray's work embodies the principles of the Graveyard School.
  • Thomas Gray's 'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard' serves as a quintessential example of the Graveyard School's principles. The poem meditates on mortality and the universal fate of all people, regardless of social status. Gray employs somber imagery and reflections on life’s transience, illustrating how graveyards become sites of contemplation on existence. His blending of nature with themes of death resonates with the emotional depth characteristic of this movement.
• Evaluate the influence of the Graveyard School on later literary movements, particularly Romanticism.
  • The Graveyard School significantly influenced Romanticism by introducing emotional depth and existential contemplation into poetry. The focus on individual experience and nature set the stage for Romantic poets to explore themes such as the sublime and the supernatural. As Romanticism developed, it built upon the Graveyard School’s emphasis on darker human emotions and mortality, further intertwining these elements with revolutionary ideas about personal freedom and expression, making it foundational for later literary explorations.

Related terms

Elegy: A mournful poem or song written in remembrance of someone who has died, often reflecting on themes of loss and sorrow.

Romanticism: An artistic and literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism, often intertwining with themes of the sublime and the supernatural.

Gothic Literature: A genre characterized by its use of horror, the supernatural, and dark romantic elements, often featuring settings such as castles or graveyards and exploring themes like madness and isolation.