R.g. Shaw by James Russell Lowell

Robert Gould Shaw was a young officer in the Union Army who commanded the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first Black regiments during the Civil War. In 1863, he was killed leading a well-known and costly assault on Fort Wagner. Lowell, an abolitionist from Boston who was familiar with Shaw's family, wrote the elegy to pay tribute to him and to express that Shaw's death carried significance that extended beyond just personal grief.

It means Shaw moved forward—toward the enemy—rather than backing down or turning away. Lowell created the term "foeward" (toward the foe) to emphasize this point: even the way Shaw faced his death showcased his courage and commitment.

Lowell suggests that grieving for remarkable individuals isn't merely about feeling pain — it's also an uplifting force. Our yearning for those we've lost prevents us from settling into complacency. He illustrates this with the image of a viol that continues to vibrate even after the bow is lifted, showing how the spirits of noble souls continue to resonate within the living long after their departure.

He's arguing that Shaw's death was a public, civic event rather than simply a private family loss. Grief that remains hidden in "closets of the heart" fails to honor a sacrifice made for everyone. The church image conveys: keep the doors open, let anyone in, because this belongs to the entire community.

Not exactly. He truly appreciates the beauty of a long, peaceful life celebrated at its end. However, he contends that dying young for a significant cause offers its own sense of wholeness — it safeguards your initial beliefs from being eroded by the uncertainties of middle age or the complacency of old age. It’s not so much that a shorter life is preferable, but rather that Shaw's brief life was complete in its own unique manner.

The 54th Massachusetts was one of the first official African American combat regiments in the Union Army. Its creation directly challenged the notion that Black men were unwilling or unable to fight for their own freedom. Although the regiment's attack on Fort Wagner did not succeed militarily, it emerged as a powerful symbol for Black military service and the fight against slavery.

A viol is a bowed string instrument. When you draw a bow across the strings and then lift it, the strings continue to vibrate and the note hangs in the air. Lowell uses this metaphor to express that remarkable individuals continue to "sound" within us even after they pass away — our grief and admiration create that resonance. The touch that set the string vibrating was "divine," suggesting that Shaw's nobility stemmed from a source greater than ordinary human effort.

Both poems express sorrow for a figure whose death occurred at a pivotal moment for a significant cause, highlighting that this loss carries public significance. However, Whitman's poem evokes more emotion and is more straightforward, focusing on a single extended metaphor. In contrast, Lowell takes a more philosophical approach, exploring why grief holds importance alongside his mourning for Shaw. Additionally, Lowell addresses a battle death rather than an assassination, making the martial imagery more prominent in his work.