When All is Done - Lyrics Of The Hearthside By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Original Story：

When all is done, and my last word is said,
And ye who loved me murmur, “He is dead,”
Let no one weep, for fear that I should know,
And sorrow too that ye should sorrow so.

When all is done and in the oozing clay,
Ye lay this cast–off hull of mine away,
Pray not for me, for, after long despair,
The quiet of the grave will be a prayer.

For I have suffered loss and grievous pain,
The hurts of hatred and the world’s disdain,
And wounds so deep that love, well–tried and pure,
Had not the pow’r to ease them or to cure.

When all is done, say not my day is o’er,
And that thro’ night I seek a dimmer shore:
Say rather that my morn has just begun,—
I greet the dawn and not a setting sun,

When all is done.

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Expansion and Analysis

Summary and Interpretation

This poignant poem explores themes of death, grief, and hope. The speaker addresses those who loved him, urging them not to weep or mourn excessively after his death. Instead of seeing death as an end, the speaker asks us to view it as a new beginning—a "morn" or dawn rather than a "setting sun." The imagery of laying the body in "oozing clay" symbolizes burial, while the "quiet of the grave" is portrayed as a form of peace and prayer after suffering. The poem acknowledges the deep pain and wounds caused by hatred and loss, but it also emphasizes the power of hope and renewal beyond death.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem reflects the style of late 19th to early 20th-century English poetry, where themes of mortality and spiritual reflection were common. The author, though unnamed here, likely drew from personal experiences of loss and suffering, expressing a philosophical acceptance of death. Such poems were often written to comfort the bereaved and to offer a hopeful perspective on the afterlife or spiritual continuation.

Literary Devices and Style

• Repetition: The phrase "When all is done" frames the poem, reinforcing the finality of death but also the continuity beyond it.
• Metaphor: Death is compared to a "dawn" or "morn," symbolizing a new beginning rather than an end.
• Contrast: The poem contrasts sorrow and hope, despair and peace.
• Personification: The grave is described as a "prayer," giving it a sacred, comforting quality.

Lessons for Children and Students

From this poem, children and students can learn about:

• Understanding death and grief: The poem gently introduces the concept of mortality and encourages a healthy, hopeful attitude toward loss.
• Emotional resilience: It teaches that sorrow is natural but should not overwhelm us.
• The power of hope: Even after hardship and pain, new beginnings are possible.
• Empathy and compassion: Recognizing the pain others endure and offering comfort.

Practical Applications in Life and Learning

• Emotional education: This poem can be used in classrooms to discuss feelings of loss and how to cope with them.
• Literature study: It offers a rich example of poetic devices and themes for analysis.
• Philosophical reflection: Students can explore ideas about life, death, and what might lie beyond.
• Creative writing: Encourages students to express their feelings about difficult topics through poetry.

Key Vocabulary and Concepts

• Oozing clay: Refers to the earth or soil where the body is buried.
• Cast-off hull: A metaphor for the physical body left behind after death.
• Disdain: A feeling of contempt or scorn.
• Grievous pain: Deep and serious suffering.
• Morn/Dawn vs. Setting sun: Symbolizes beginnings vs. endings.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What does the speaker ask people not to do after he dies?
2. How does the poem describe the grave?
3. What kind of pain has the speaker experienced?
4. What does the speaker mean by saying his "morn has just begun"?
5. How does the poem suggest we should view death?

Answers

1. The speaker asks people not to weep or sorrow too much after his death.
2. The grave is described as a quiet place that serves as a prayer after long despair.
3. The speaker has experienced loss, grievous pain, hatred, and disdain from the world.
4. By saying his "morn has just begun," the speaker means that death is not the end but a new beginning.
5. The poem suggests we should view death as a peaceful transition and a hopeful new start, not as a final end.

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This poem offers a thoughtful, comforting perspective on death that can help children and students approach the topic with sensitivity and hope. It encourages reflection on life's challenges and the possibility of renewal beyond hardship.