“The Dead (IV)” Introduction

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“The Dead (IV)” Summary

“The Dead (IV)” Themes

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  Death, Loss, and Consolation

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Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “The Dead (IV)”

• Lines 1-4

  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.

  

  

  

  

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• Lines 5-8

  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.

  

  

  

  

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• Lines 9-12

  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.

  

  

  

  

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• Lines 12-14

  He leaves a white
        Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
  A width, a shining peace, under the night.

  

  

  

  

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“The Dead (IV)” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

• Metaphor

  

  

  

  

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• Personification

  

  

  

  

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• Imagery

  

  

  

  

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• Parallelism

  

  

  

  

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“The Dead (IV)” Vocabulary

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• Woven of human joys and cares
• Mirth
• Gone proudly friended
• Stays

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Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “The Dead (IV)”

• Form

• Meter

• Rhyme Scheme

“The Dead (IV)” Speaker

“The Dead (IV)” Setting

Literary and Historical Context of “The Dead (IV)”

More “The Dead (IV)” Resources

• External Resources

  • The Poem Aloud — Listen to the poem read aloud by the great Shakespearean actor Sir John Gielgud.

  • A Celebration of Brooke — Watch a short documentary on Brooke's life and work.

  • Brooke's Legacy — Visit the website of the Rupert Brooke Society to learn about his lasting influence.

  • A Manuscript of the Poem — See a draft of this poem in Brooke's own handwriting.

  • A Brief Biography — Learn more about Brooke's life and work at the Poetry Foundation.

• LitCharts on Other Poems by Rupert Brooke

  • The Dead (III)

  • The Soldier