Mary Elizabeth Frye

703 Words2 Pages

Imagine looking down from heaven and witnessing your family mourning over your passing when you still feel so alive. How do you change their view of your death? In the poem, Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep, the poet explains herself in various ways and wants to be remembered and around in spirit. The form of the poem is a simple monologue that is between a deceased person and their loved ones. Through repetition, rhyme scheme, tone/mood, and the author’s purpose, Mary Elizabeth Frye explains the meaning of the poem and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The first poetic device used in Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep is repetition. Repetition is repeating words or phrases to emphasize the main idea. Throughout the poem, the phrase “I am” is used. The poet explains that she wants her loved ones to walk away from her grave and act how she would want them to in the following …show more content…

The tone of Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep is calming. This poem is typically read at funerals after somebody has passed away, therefore it’s used to inspire the audience and bring a positive ambience. In the following quote, the poet uses peaceful and symbolic diction to influence the tone of the poem, “I am the soft stars that shine at night” (Frye 10). If the poem was read in a different tone, it could change the whole meaning of what the poet had wanted. Frye’s usage of soft imagery allows the reader to feel a sense of relaxation. The mood of Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep is heartwarming. In the following quote, hope and comfort is brought upon the reader, “I am not there/I did not die” (Frye 12-13). The poem was created to bring joy to those who have lost a loved one and provides evidence on why they shouldn’t weep. People often have a feeling of melancholy after somebody has passed, but the poem allows them to cope in a positive way. Because of the poet’s word choice throughout the poem, the audience is able to identify the tone and

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