III. Study of the Poem as a Whole
Content.—Contrast the village of Auburn when the author saw it in youth, with the Auburn of his later years, in regard to its appearance and the condition of the people.
Give character sketches of "The Preacher" and "The Schoolmaster." Explain what the poet considers has caused the changes he laments in the village.
Contrast the simple natural pleasures with those of luxury and wealth.
What effect on the poor has greed for wealth? on the country? What is Goldsmith's idea of the lot of the emigrant?
Form.—What is the prevailing meter? How do the lines rhyme? Compare this poem with The Idylls of the King or with The Merchant of Venice in respect to meter and rhyme.
Examine what you think are the most beautiful passages in order to find out, if you can, why they are beautiful. Are they so because of beauty of sentiment? simplicity of language? choice of words? figurative language? smoothness of rhythm?
The Life and Character of the Author.—What do we know of Goldsmith's childhood? his family? his education? his professional training? his travels? his friends in London? his loneliness? his disappointments? his literary successes? his eccentricities? his kindness?
How can we judge of his character from his references to the village of his childhood? from what he says of wealth, greed, etc.?