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The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd…

“The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea, The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me.” quote by Thomas Gray
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“The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea, The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me.”

Thomas Gray

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem describes evening’s arrival, the curfew, and the ploughman’s weary return home.

In simple terms: Evening brings darkness and a tired farmer’s return.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the calm of day’s end.

Themes

nature evening labour

Mood

somber reflective

Type

literary poetic

When to use this quote

  • rural sunset
  • farm work
  • nightfall

Key Concepts

pastoral poetry melancholy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the curfew symbolize?
  • How does the ploughman feel?
A Different Perspective

May evoke sadness.

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