The Beauty of Death XIV By: Khalil Gibran
The Reaper and The Flowers By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Analysis: The Beauty of Death XIV
Part One- Free Verse
This poem is about how an old man is dying. He is basically just describing how he wants his funeral to be. However, he’s not focusing on what he wants the setting to look like, but he wants to plan the mood of his funeral. Instead of a depressing funeral he wants it to be happy, he wants everyone to rejoice how he is finally able to rest peacefully.
Evidence:
Old man dying- “And read what the hand of Death has written on my forehead.”
Happy funeral- “Dry your tears, my friends, and raise your heads as the flowers”
Evidence:
Old man dying- “And read what the hand of Death has written on my forehead.”
Happy funeral- “Dry your tears, my friends, and raise your heads as the flowers”
Part Two- Free Verse
This part of the poem describes how he has already left his body. He’s finally free of his pain and suffering and can now be able to rest. This part may also be considered by some religious view to be purgatory, because he is not in heaven or alive. This part of the poem just basically tells his journey to go to heaven.
Evidence:
Left his body- “I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the”
Purgatory- “I am cloaked in full whiteness;”
Journey to heaven- I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the”
Evidence:
Left his body- “I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the”
Purgatory- “I am cloaked in full whiteness;”
Journey to heaven- I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the”
Part Three- Free Verse
This part of the poem is about how he’s finally getting buried into the Earth. He’s basically saying what he wants everyone to do and that is to be happy. He doesn’t want them to dress up in all black, but to dress up with the colors of joy and happiness. He doesn’t want everyone to be sad inside, but to be truly happy because he’s inside his or her hearts. Also, he’s describing where he wants to get buried. He doesn’t want to get buried in a cemetery, because it’s full of sadness and grief. He wants to be buried in a forest where life thrives and happiness fills the air. Also, he doesn’t want to be buried in a coffin because in a forest his body will be used to give life I.E trees, flowers, etc. Also, it would be a place where he will be forever in peace and solitude.
Evidence:
Getting buried- “Take my body from the ivory casket and let it rest”
Happy funeral- “But let your hearts sing with me the song of Eternal Life;
Mourn me not with apparel of black,
But dress in color and rejoice with me,
Talk not of my departure with sighs in your hearts; close
Your eyes and you will see me with you forevermore.”
Buried in forest- “Take from me all earthly raiment and place me deep in my
Mother Earth; and place me with care upon my mother’s breast.”
Doesn’t want to be buried in coffin- “Unwrap me from this white linen shroud and clothe me.”
Use body to create life- Grow above me, and thrive on my body’s element they will”
Evidence:
Getting buried- “Take my body from the ivory casket and let it rest”
Happy funeral- “But let your hearts sing with me the song of Eternal Life;
Mourn me not with apparel of black,
But dress in color and rejoice with me,
Talk not of my departure with sighs in your hearts; close
Your eyes and you will see me with you forevermore.”
Buried in forest- “Take from me all earthly raiment and place me deep in my
Mother Earth; and place me with care upon my mother’s breast.”
Doesn’t want to be buried in coffin- “Unwrap me from this white linen shroud and clothe me.”
Use body to create life- Grow above me, and thrive on my body’s element they will”
Analysis: The Reaper & The Flowers
The Reaper and The Flowers Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ KLKL MNMN
The Reaper and the Flowers is about a reaper who apparently works for god. He finds flowers that are sentimental to god, so he tries to get them. However, this lady loves the flowers too much to let go of them. The reaper convinces the lady by saying that with his care he will be sure the flowers are safe and they will be planted in heaven, and with the help of the angels. So the lady is convinced, but she also comes up with her own reasoning to allow her to let go of the flowers, and that is that she would see them again when she dies and go to heaven.
Secret Meaning: The hidden meaning to this may be that if you love someone who just passed away to not worry too much because you’re going to see him or her again in heaven.
Evidence:
The reaper works for god- “My lord has need of they flowerets gay,”
Flowers sentimental to god- “Dear tokens of the earth are they,
Where he was once a child.”
Reaper convinces the lady- “They shall all bloom in fields of light,
Transplanted by my care,
And saints, upon their garments white,
These sacred blossoms wear.”
Lady gives flowers up because she’ll see them again in heaven-
“She knew she should find them all again
In the fields of light above.”
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ KLKL MNMN
The Reaper and the Flowers is about a reaper who apparently works for god. He finds flowers that are sentimental to god, so he tries to get them. However, this lady loves the flowers too much to let go of them. The reaper convinces the lady by saying that with his care he will be sure the flowers are safe and they will be planted in heaven, and with the help of the angels. So the lady is convinced, but she also comes up with her own reasoning to allow her to let go of the flowers, and that is that she would see them again when she dies and go to heaven.
Secret Meaning: The hidden meaning to this may be that if you love someone who just passed away to not worry too much because you’re going to see him or her again in heaven.
Evidence:
The reaper works for god- “My lord has need of they flowerets gay,”
Flowers sentimental to god- “Dear tokens of the earth are they,
Where he was once a child.”
Reaper convinces the lady- “They shall all bloom in fields of light,
Transplanted by my care,
And saints, upon their garments white,
These sacred blossoms wear.”
Lady gives flowers up because she’ll see them again in heaven-
“She knew she should find them all again
In the fields of light above.”
