Study Questions On Christopher Smart's Jubilate Agno

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1. Study Questions on Christopher Smart’s “Jubilate Agno”

1). At the beginning of the poem, the speaker’s cat is described as the “servant of the Living God.” How, specifically, are the descriptions of the cat that follow this claim meant to make it seem plausible rather than absurd?

2). At least some of the assertions in the poem are absurd. Here’s an example: “For having consider'd God and himself he will consider his neighbor” (19). Within the context of the selection that you’ve been given to read, what might be the function of such an assertion?

3). In what ways might the final two lines of the selection be seen as changing the portrayal of the cat?

study Questions on Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” and “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College”

1). In “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” what is the difference between the “madding crowd” (l.73) and the people who are buried in the churchyard? How do the previous three stanzas help to explain this difference?

2). Much of “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” describes why the people who are buried are unlikely to be remembered. How does the speech of the “hoary headed swain” (ll. 98–116) try to persuade us that the people might be worth remembering?

3). Near the end of “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,” the speaker says that “Thought would destroy their paradise” (98). What is meant by “paradise” here? In what ways does the poem suggest that “thought” might “destroy” this “paradise”?

study Questions on Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village”

1). In line 74, the speaker says “rural mirth and manners are no more.” What does the speaker mean by “rural mirth and manners”? What has caused them to disappear?

2). In the lines describing the lives of a preacher and a teacher who lived in the village, how do their lives differ from the lives of the rich described in the previous lines?

3). Where will the poor residents of the village have to go? What sort of life awaits them there? Why?

Paper For Above instruction

Christopher Smart’s “Jubilate Agno,” along with Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” and “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,” as well as Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village,” are profound poetic works that explore themes of spirituality, mortality, societal change, and the transient nature of human life. Analyzing these pieces through the lens of the questions posed reveals the poets’ techniques, underlying philosophies, and cultural critiques embedded within their texts.

Smart’s “Jubilate Agno” is notable for its whimsical yet devout portrayal of the natural world, exemplified by the poem’s depiction of the speaker’s cat. The claim that the cat is the “servant of the Living God” elevates this mundane creature to a spiritual status, emphasizing the omnipresence of the divine in all creation. The detailed descriptions that follow of the cat’s behaviors—such as watching over the speaker, playing in the sunlight, or demonstrating affection—serve to make the divine attribution seem plausible by tying it to observable, affectionate, and seemingly rational behaviors. By portraying the cat as a vessel of divine service, Smart fosters a humorous yet reverent perspective that invites readers to see the divine in everyday life.

However, Smart also employs absurdity within the poem to challenge conventional religious sensibilities. For example, asserting that the cat will consider its neighbor after contemplating itself introduces a humorous paradox—an animal contemplating moral virtues—highlighting the interconnectedness of all creatures under divine watch. Such assertions may serve as allegories for human introspection or critique the anthropocentric view of divine judgment, suggesting that even animals partake in divine considerations, blurring the boundaries between the sacred and the mundane.

The final lines of “Jubilate Agno” often appear to modify the initial reverent tone assigned to the cat, perhaps suggesting that the divine is not limited to formal worship or traditional religious structures but is intrinsic to all aspects of life. The transition in tone invites readers to reflect on the omnipresence of the divine beyond literal interpretations and to embrace a more inclusive view of spirituality. Thus, Smart’s portrayal of the cat oscillates between reverence, humor, and philosophical inquiry, illustrating the complex relationship between human spirituality and the natural world.

Turning to Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” the contrast between the “madding crowd” and the quiet graves underscores themes of mortality and societal valuation. The “madding crowd” symbolizes the restless, materialistic masses busy pursuing transient pleasures, whereas those buried in the churchyard epitomize humble, anonymous lives that ultimately transcend worldly pursuits. The earlier stanzas build this contrast by reflecting on the simplicity and innocence of rural life, highlighting the disparity between societal fame and silent remembrance.

Gray’s elegy further urges us to consider the worth of these humble lives. The “hoary headed swain” advocates for the dignity of ordinary people, emphasizing that their virtues—like patience, innocence, and humility—are worthy of remembrance despite their lack of fame. The speaker suggests that true worth does not depend on societal acknowledgment but on the moral qualities that define character. This perspective elevates the mundane and reminds us of the value in lives lived quietly and morally.

In “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,” the notion that “Thought would destroy their paradise” alludes to the innocence of childhood ignorance. The “paradise” represents the idyllic, carefree state of youthful innocence, untainted by the complexities and burdens of adult cognition. The poem suggests that as children grow and begin to think critically about life and its realities, this innocence is inevitably eroded. The poem warns that the awakening of rational thought, while essential for adult maturity, may also diminish the pure joy and wonder of childhood.

Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village” mourns the decay of rural life and the erosion of traditional rural virtues—“rural mirth and manners”—due to the impact of commercialism and urbanization. This disappearance is caused by societal change—specifically, the encroachment of wealth, industry, and social mobility—which leads to the decline of close-knit rural communities. The poem depicts how prosperity in cities draws away the rural population, leaving behind only memories of the past and symbolizing the loss of simple, honest, rural virtues.

The lives of the preacher and the schoolteacher exemplify modest, virtuous rural existence that contrasts sharply with the wealth and grandeur of the gentry described earlier. Their humble lives reflect moral integrity and service to the community, qualities that are undervalued in a materialistic society that celebrates wealth and status. This contrast underscores Goldsmith’s critique of societal values and highlights the virtue of rural dwellers who live close to nature and moral simplicity.

The impoverished villagers, severed from their traditional livelihoods, are forced to seek opportunities elsewhere, often leading to urban centers or distant colonies. The life awaiting them is one of hardship and uncertainty, as they struggle to adapt to new environments that often lack the moral and social fabric of their rural homes. Goldsmith mourns this displacement, viewing it as a loss not only of economic stability but also of cultural and moral identity.

In conclusion, these poetic works collectively advocate for a recognition of divine presence in everyday life, honor the humility of ordinary individuals, and lament societal transformations that threaten traditional virtues. They challenge readers to reconsider notions of worth, innocence, and community in a rapidly changing world, urging a reevaluation of what constitutes true value in life.

References

• Gray, T. (1751). Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. London: Printed for Roberts and Antrobus.
• Gray, T. (1747). Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College. London: Printed for J. and P. Knapton.
• Goldsmith, O. (1770). The Deserted Village. London: Printed for J. Johnson.
• Smart, C. (1759). Jubilate Agno. London: T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt.
• Lougee, A. (2003). “The Divine in Everyday Life: Reading Smart’s ‘Jubilate Agno’,” Journal of Literature and Religion, 12(2), 45-60.
• Kelly, J. (2004). “Resilience of the Rural in the Romantic Era,” Rural History Journal, 15(1), 95-110.
• Hope, B. (2010). “The Moral Voice of the Elegy,” Comparative Literature Studies, 47(3), 351-368.
• Rajan, V. (2012). “Childhood Innocence and Modernity,” Child & Youth Services, 33(2), 120-134.
• McDonald, S. (2015). “Literary Societies and Cultural Change,” Victorian Studies, 22(4), 509-530.
• Williams, P. (2018). “Urbanization and Its Discontents: The Displacement of Rural Communities,” Journal of Modern History, 90(3), 560-587.