Poem Analysis - Gods Acre

Initial Impression and Tone

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "God's-acre" presents a reflective and solemn tone, evoking a sense of peace and acceptance of mortality. The poem begins with a contemplative mood, appreciating the ancient Saxon phrase "God's-Acre" for its comforting and sanctifying qualities. As the poem progresses, it shifts to a more hopeful and reassuring tone, emphasizing the promise of resurrection and eternal life. The language is formal and reverent, befitting the subject matter of death and the afterlife.

Themes of Mortality and Resurrection

The primary theme of the poem is mortality, explored through the imagery of burial grounds and the inevitability of death. Longfellow uses the phrase "God's-Acre" to consecrate the burial ground, suggesting that death is a sacred and natural part of life. The poem acknowledges the sorrow of loss but also emphasizes the hope of resurrection. The speaker expresses faith in the "great harvest" when the dead will rise again, symbolizing the belief in an afterlife where the good will bloom eternally. This theme is developed through the use of agricultural metaphors, such as sowing seeds and harvesting, which convey the cyclical nature of life and death.

The Comfort of Faith

Another significant theme is the comfort of faith. The poem repeatedly emphasizes the consoling power of belief in an afterlife. The speaker finds solace in the idea that the graves within "God's-Acre" are blessed and that those who have died will rise again. This theme is reinforced through the use of religious imagery, such as the "archangel's blast" and the "fair gardens of that second birth." The poem suggests that faith provides a sense of peace and hope in the face of death, transforming the burial ground into a sacred and comforting place.

Symbolism of the Burial Ground

The burial ground, or "God's-Acre," serves as a central symbol in the poem. It represents both the final resting place of the dead and a sacred space consecrated by God. The term "God's-Acre" itself is significant, as it implies that the burial ground is a special, holy place. The speaker finds comfort in this idea, suggesting that death is not an end but a transition to a higher state of being. The burial ground is also depicted as a field where human harvests grow, symbolizing the potential for spiritual growth and renewal. The ploughshare of Death turning up the sod further emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and death, suggesting that death is a necessary part of the process of rebirth.

Conclusion

In "God's-acre," Longfellow explores the themes of mortality, resurrection, and the comfort of faith through vivid imagery and symbolic language. The poem presents death as a sacred and natural part of life, offering solace and hope to those who believe in an afterlife. The burial ground, or "God's-Acre," serves as a powerful symbol of this belief, representing both the final resting place of the dead and a sacred space consecrated by God. Ultimately, the poem conveys a message of peace and reassurance, suggesting that death is not an end but a transition to a higher state of being.