Walter de la Mare: An Epitaph Summary

What sentiment does the poet express regarding beauty in the epitaph?

In what way does the poet refer to the lady in the epitaph?

Which of the following best describes the focus of de la Mare's poetry?

What emotional tone does the poet suggest concerning memories of the dead?

What literary device is highlighted through the word 'light' in the second line of the poem?

What is implied about beauty in the poem?

Which statement best reflects the philosophical meaning of the poem?

How does the poet perceive the concept of death?

What irony is suggested through the use of the term 'most beautiful lady' in the poem?

What literary device is primarily used to convey deeper meanings in the poem?

Walter de la Mare

Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) was a British poet and writer known for his works exploring childhood, dreams, and the supernatural.
He lost his father at a young age and moved with his family to London.
His works, like Songs for Children and Peacock Pie, depict dreamlike worlds often tinged with melancholy.
He was awarded the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

An Epitaph: Summary

The poem describes a beautiful lady who has passed away.
The speaker expresses sadness and contemplation about the lady's beauty and the fleeting nature of life.
There's a sense of melancholy and regret as the speaker reflects on the permanence of her memory after his own death.

Key Terms

Epitaph: Inscription on a tomb that remembers the deceased
Light of step and heart: A description that suggests someone was lively and without strong commitments
Vanishes: Disappears
Rare: Not commonplace
Crumble: Fall apart, in this context, die

Themes

Loss and Mortality: The poem explores the grief over the passing of a beautiful lady and a reflection on the speaker's own mortality.
Ephemerality: The poem highlights the impermanence of beauty and the brevity of life, contrasting it with the enduring nature of memory.
Ambiguity: The use of words like "light" can be interpreted in more than one way, adding a layer of complexity to the meaning.
Irony: There is a layer of implied meaning that contrasts the speaker's statement about the lady’s beauty with his concern about her memory after his death.

This quiz explores the life and work of Walter de la Mare, focusing on his poem 'An Epitaph'. The poem encapsulates themes of beauty, mortality, and memory. Delve into the nuances of the poem's imagery and the emotional weight carried by the speaker's reflections.