Better Are the Poor

Throughout this course I have been fascinated by the contrasts of high/low cultures in plays from Twelfth Night to Beggar's Opera and poems like "Deserted Village". It is interesting how the evolving societies still maintained a high/low social class system regardless of the writings that spoke against both. Going from what Lauren said, I agree that "Deserted Village" is promoting the poor and how virtuous their humble living is. The constant references to pastoral landscapes and the sacrifices made for luxury, Gray reiterates that rich or poor, we will all die some day and we shouldn't focus on the riches because they won't prevent the inevitable death we will face. Gray may have been crazy, I don't doubt it, but I do believe he was on to something when he wrote "Deserted Village". Even today there are countless people who strive to rich in life. There are many movies who portray the unhappy rich, the rich who are lonely, who have everything but are missing something. The poor are portrayed as being happy with the little that they have. Today's society reflects Gray's poem in that the cost of luxury is too high and what matters most is being lost. We need to return to the days before our vision was clouted by desires of riches and gold and go back to the days where happiness was good enough. High/low cultures appear clearer now even more so after reading the literature we've read this semester. I may be poor, but at least I'm happy.