The poem Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard shows many characteristics of the Romantic movement, which supports the idea that Thomas Gray was often classified as a pre-Romantic poet.
The poem focuses greatly on vivid descriptions of nature and the countryside. This is not only to create vivid images, but also to create a link between nature and the thoughts that go through the speaker's head. The emphasis on nature is a characteristic of the Romantic period.
Moreover, the speaker addresses concerns of the individual, not of society at large. The narrator is worried about the possibility of remaining obscure, being forgotten after death, and not having a meaningful life. Although these themes are common to all people, they are individual concerns.
Finally, the poem's emphasis is on personal reflection and emotion. The speaker's feelings and emotional reflections drive the poem, as opposed to his arguments or rational thoughts.
