“The Dead (IV)” Summary

“The Dead (IV)” Themes

• 

  Death, Loss, and Consolation

  • See where this theme is active in the poem.

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.

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺

• 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.

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺

• 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.

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺

• Lines 12-14

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

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺

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

• Metaphor

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺
  • See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

• Personification

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺
  • See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

• Imagery

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺
  • See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

• Parallelism

  

  

  

  

  Unlock with LitCharts A⁺
  • See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

“The Dead (IV)” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

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

• • See where this vocabulary word appears in the poem.

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