Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

FUNERAL, by STEPHEN SPENDER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Funeral" is a poem by Stephen Spender, first published in his collection "Ruins and Visions" in 1942. It reflects on the nature of death and how it affects those left behind.

Explanation:

The poem opens with the speaker describing a funeral procession, with mourners carrying the coffin of a loved one. The speaker observes the faces of the mourners and notes how death affects everyone, regardless of social status. The speaker then reflects on how death is an inevitable part of life and how it should be accepted as a natural process. The poem concludes with the speaker suggesting that death is not an end, but rather a continuation of life's journey.

Poetic Elements:

Structure: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines.
Imagery: The use of vivid descriptions helps to create a clear picture of the funeral procession.
Symbolism: The coffin and mourners symbolize death and the grief it brings.
Tone: The poem has a contemplative and philosophical tone, reflecting on the nature of life and death.
Personification: Death is personified as a milestone, suggesting that it is a natural part of life's journey.
Repetition: The phrase "on their way" is repeated twice, emphasizing the idea that death is a part of life's journey.
Rhyme scheme: The poem has an AABB rhyme scheme, with the first and second lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyming with each other.

Conclusion:

"Funeral" by Stephen Spender is a reflective poem that considers the nature of death and its impact on the living. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of life's journey, and should be accepted as such. The use of vivid imagery and symbolism helps to create a powerful sense of grief and loss, while the repeated phrase "on their way" emphasizes the idea that death is a continuation of life's journey, rather than an end in itself.

Poem Snippet:

And as they carry the coffin away,

The mourners' faces are blank as stone,

Death is another milestone on their way,

Life moves on, but they are left alone.