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Billy Collins The Dead Analysis

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In The Dead by Billy Collins, I think that the overall impression the poem paints is that is it making a mockery of religion or those who might believe in God/Supreme being. Personally I think that it could be an announcements of a blessing being held over us. Or like having a feelings that ones that have passed away recently or long ago are still watching over us. Quit possibly giving us a gift of comfort or letting us know that those who remain dear to us still lay in our hearts always and forever. The one part that really shows us the meaning of the poem is when Billy says, “Which makes them lift their oars and fall silent – and wait, like parents, for us to close our eyes.” (The Dead 959) If you look more into detail you could think that …show more content…

He goes on to say, “They watch the tops of our heads moving below on earth.” (The Dead 959) That line right there helps us see that it is not another place on earth but a place far away. Possibly the place far away “Heaven” is looking down upon us possibly through something that can magnify a person or place and make it seem like it is right there and you are not far away. Even if someone who has different religious views reads this and could make them think very closely the possibility of what might truly be out there or in other words up there far away looking at us closely. The major overall impression of this poem is that there is a God/Supreme being up there/Far away looking over our loved ones that are looking over us. They are showing us that they are never gone and never very far from us. That they are deep in our hearts and will never truly be “gone” or “forgotten”. Also another part or idea you can get out of the poem is at the end when they say, “Which makes them lift their oars and fall silent and wait, like parents, for us to close our eyes.” (The Dead 959) The meaning of this could be taken as they are watching us and waiting until the time that we could possibly pass away. Or that they are waiting for us to close our eyes one last time and they will wait silently until we will be with the once more in “Heaven” with them to row or oars and watch over our other loved ones to join them and so

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