Perhaps the most salient motif of Thomas is the idea of the Latin phrase that Thomas Gray evokes, momento mori; that is, "Remember that you must die." As Gray ponders this sentiment, observing the modest graves in the "neglected spot," he concludes that in death there is no difference between the renowned and the common people.
In fact, as the poet continues his contemplation of the unknown people in this churchyard, he reflects that
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid/Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;/Hands, that the rod of empire might have swayed/or waked to ecstasy the living lyre.
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page/Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll;/Chill Penury repressed their noble rage,/And froze the genial current of the soul.
In other words, beneath these graves there may lie souls far nobler than those of the renowed graves. Only lack of wealth and opportunity prevented their development. And, yet, Gray continues, they may be all the nobler for not having reached fame since they lived purer and more honest lives:
Far from the madding crowd's* ignoble strife/Their sober wishes never learned to stray;/Along the cool, sequestered vale of life/They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.
In their nobility of soul, then, the common people buried in the graveyard are the equal, if not superior to others. This motif is an inspiring one that the reader can appreciate. At any rate, death, the great equalizer, has come to all.
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*(note)"Far from the madding crowd" is the title of a Thomas Hardy novel.
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