Momento mori

After reading Thomas Gray's, "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," a few elements stood out to me. When thinking of the differences between high and low class, Gray is definately advocating for the common folk. In lines 37-40, Gray talks about the lavishly sculpted headstones of the rich, "Nor you, ye proud, impute to these the fault, If Memory o'er their tomb no trophies raise, Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault." He comments that the "trophies," or and ornamental or symbolic group of figures depictiong the achievements of the deceased, are excessive and will perish along with the people. There is an overarching theme of this piece and that is the momento mori. The momento mori essentially means that everything will eventually die. As Gray reveres the common people who have deceased he makes it a point to note that the rich or "proud" will also perish along with their wealth and beauty. I thought is was interesting that as aristocrats or people of importance are often remembered after their death, Thomas Gray gave importance and reverence to the people who were average do gooders maybe suggesting that riches and wealth are not important in the next life.