Final answer:
An elegy is a mournful poem that laments a death, often reflecting on a personal loss or the broader implications such as the passing of a way of life, or life itself. It traditionally includes expressions of grief, a listing of virtues, and seeks consolation. Examples from various cultural backgrounds show how elegies serve to honor the deceased and deal with the theme of loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
An elegy is essentially a mournful poem that laments the passing of a person, reflecting on loss and sorrow. While elegies are traditionally centered around the death of an individual, they can also extend to mourning a way of life, or life itself? The key aspects include the expression of grief, the listing of virtues of the deceased, and often, a search for consolation beyond the immediate event. For example, William Helen's 'Elegy for Wilt the Stilt' commemorates the life and passing of the basketball player Wilt Chamberlain, considering the broader impact his death had on society and the culture of the sport.
Cultural significance also plays a role in how elegies are written, as they often reflect the customs and attitudes towards death within a particular society. The works of writers like Mark Strand, Eavan Boland, and Wheatley illustrate the different ways in which elegies can observe these rituals while also providing personal reflections.
A poignant example of a historical approach to elegy is the work by Wheatley, which weaves together the Puritan elegiac tradition with threads from her African heritage and experiences as a slave. This highlights how elegies can bridge cultures and time, whether it's the personal grief of a husband remembering his wife in 'Epitaph' (1921) or Wheatley's poetic engagement with loss and freedom.