'An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize' by Oliver Goldsmith


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Good people all, with one accord
Lament for Madam Blaize,
Who never wanted a good word,-From those who spoke her praise.The needy seldom passed her door,
And always found her kind;
She freely lent to all the poor,-Who left a pledge behind.She strove the neighbourhood to please
With manners wondrous winning;
And never followed wicked ways,-Unless when she was sinning.At church, in silks and satins new,
With hoop of monstrous size,
She never slumbered in her pew,-But when she shut her eyes.Her love was sought, I do aver,
By twenty beaux and more;
The king himself has followed her,-When she has walked before.But now her wealth and finery fled,
Her hangers-on cut short all;
The doctors found, when she was dead,-Her last disorder mortal.Let us lament in sorrow sore,
For Kent Street well may say
That had she lived a twelvemonth more,-She had not died today.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize

Oliver Goldsmith's "An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a masterpiece that is both humorous and poignant. This elegy, written in couplets, praises the virtues of Mary Blaize, a woman who was respected and loved by all who knew her. Through this poem, Goldsmith celebrates the power of a woman's character, especially in the face of adversity.

The Poetic Structure

The poem is structured in iambic pentameter couplets, which gives it a musical quality. The rhyming scheme is ABAB, which is consistent throughout the poem. This structure adds to the elegiac tone of the poem, as it flows smoothly and rhythmically. The use of couplets also underscores the theme of the poem, which is the duality of life and death, love and loss. The poem is split into five stanzas, each of which is ten lines long.

The Themes

The poem has several themes, the most prominent of which is the celebration of women's virtues. Mary Blaize is portrayed as a virtuous and hardworking woman who is respected by the community. She is a symbol of the power of women to overcome adversity and succeed in life. The poem also explores the theme of mortality, as it is an elegy written in memory of Mary Blaize. The poem highlights the fleeting nature of life and how the memory of a person can live on even after they are gone.

The Imagery

Goldsmith uses vivid imagery to bring the poem to life. For instance, in the second stanza, he describes Mary Blaize as "the pride of the village". This image of a woman who is respected by all in her community is powerful because it shows the impact that one person can have on others. In the fourth stanza, Goldsmith describes Mary Blaize as someone who "never felt the pride of wealth". This image of a woman who is not swayed by material possessions is also powerful because it highlights the importance of character over material wealth.

The Tone

The tone of the poem is both humorous and melancholic. Goldsmith uses humor to underscore the virtues of Mary Blaize, such as her ability to bake pies that were so delicious that they would "tempt a saint beneath the skies". The humor in the poem adds a lightness to an otherwise somber topic. However, Goldsmith also uses a melancholic tone to underscore the sadness of Mary Blaize's passing. The elegiac tone of the poem is most apparent in the final stanza, where Goldsmith writes, "Her praise is in these honest lines confest, / At once the subject and the poet's jest."

The Interpretation

Goldsmith's "An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a powerful celebration of the virtues of women. It underscores the importance of character over material wealth and shows the impact that one person can have on others. The poem is both humorous and melancholic, with vivid imagery that brings the poem to life. The poem is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the memory of those who have passed on. Overall, this elegy is a testament to the power of women's character and a celebration of the life of Mary Blaize.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Oliver Goldsmith's "An Elegy on the Glory of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a classic poem that celebrates the life of a woman who was once a prominent figure in her community. The poem is a tribute to Mrs Mary Blaize, who was a barmaid in the town of Winchester. Goldsmith's elegy is a beautiful and touching tribute to a woman who was once a beloved member of her community.

The poem begins with a description of Mrs Mary Blaize's life. Goldsmith describes her as a woman who was once the "pride of the village" and the "joy of the town." He goes on to describe her as a woman who was "kind and good" and who was loved by all who knew her. Goldsmith's description of Mrs Mary Blaize is a testament to the impact that she had on her community.

Goldsmith's elegy is also a tribute to the role that women played in society during his time. In the poem, he describes Mrs Mary Blaize as a woman who was "fair and lovely" and who was "the glory of her sex." Goldsmith's description of Mrs Mary Blaize is a celebration of the beauty and grace that women brought to the world.

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. Goldsmith describes Mrs Mary Blaize as a woman who has passed away, and he mourns her loss. He describes her as a woman who was "taken from this world too soon" and who has left a void in the hearts of those who knew her. Goldsmith's elegy is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the time that we have with our loved ones.

Goldsmith's elegy is also a celebration of the power of memory. He describes Mrs Mary Blaize as a woman who will be remembered for generations to come. He writes, "Her memory will last forever, / For it will never die." Goldsmith's elegy is a testament to the power of memory and the impact that we can have on the world even after we are gone.

The poem also touches on the theme of class. Mrs Mary Blaize was a barmaid, and Goldsmith acknowledges that she was not a member of the upper class. However, he celebrates her nonetheless, writing, "Though lowly was her station, / More fair than she was none." Goldsmith's elegy is a reminder that beauty and grace can be found in all walks of life.

Goldsmith's elegy is also a tribute to the power of storytelling. The poem is written in a narrative style, with Goldsmith telling the story of Mrs Mary Blaize's life. He describes her as a woman who was once a prominent figure in her community, and he celebrates her life through his words. Goldsmith's elegy is a reminder that storytelling is a powerful tool for preserving the memories of those we love.

In conclusion, Oliver Goldsmith's "An Elegy on the Glory of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a beautiful and touching tribute to a woman who was once a beloved member of her community. The poem celebrates the impact that Mrs Mary Blaize had on her community and the world, and it is a reminder that beauty and grace can be found in all walks of life. Goldsmith's elegy is a testament to the power of memory, storytelling, and the impact that we can have on the world even after we are gone.

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