Summary:
John Dryden’s To the Memory of Mr. Oldham is an elegy dedicated to the young poet John Oldham, who died at the age of 30. Dryden praises Oldham’s poetic talent and intellect, lamenting his untimely death. He admires Oldham’s sharp wit and bold satirical style, comparing him to great poets like Juvenal. Despite acknowledging that Oldham’s poetry lacked polish due to his early demise, Dryden sees immense potential in him. The poem expresses a mix of grief, admiration, and regret for the loss of a promising literary talent.
MCQs:
- Who is the subject of Dryden’s elegy To the Memory of Mr. Oldham?
a) John Milton
b) John Oldham
c) Alexander Pope
d) Geoffrey Chaucer
Answer: b) John Oldham - What is the primary theme of the poem?
a) Celebration of war victories
b) Mourning the death of a young poet
c) Satirical attack on critics
d) Political criticism
Answer: b) Mourning the death of a young poet - Which literary device is predominantly used in the poem?
a) Satire
b) Metaphor
c) Irony
d) Allegory
Answer: b) Metaphor
To the Memory of Mr. Oldham - How does Dryden describe Oldham’s poetry?
a) Polished and refined
b) Harsh and lacking potential
c) Full of wit but needing refinement
d) Uninspired and dull
Answer: c) Full of wit but needing refinement - Which famous Roman satirist does Dryden compare Oldham to?
a) Horace
b) Juvenal
c) Virgil
d) Ovid
Answer: b) Juvenal - What tone does Dryden use in To the Memory of Mr. Oldham?
a) Humorous and light-hearted
b) Angry and vengeful
c) Solemn and admiring
d) Romantic and passionate
Answer: c) Solemn and admiring - What is Dryden’s main regret regarding Oldham?
a) That he did not publish more works
b) That he was not recognized in his lifetime
c) That he died too young before fully refining his poetic skills
d) That he was not as famous as Milton
Answer: c) That he died too young before fully refining his poetic skills - What poetic form does Dryden use in the poem?
a) Blank verse
b) Heroic couplets
c) Sonnets
d) Free verse
Answer: b) Heroic couplets - Which poetic movement does To the Memory of Mr. Oldham belong to?
a) Romanticism
b) Restoration Literature
c) Modernism
d) Victorian poetry
Answer: b) Restoration Literature - What does Dryden say about the future of Oldham’s reputation?
a) He will be forgotten quickly
b) His poetry will gain more appreciation over time
c) His talent was overrated
d) He never had true poetic skill
Answer: b) His poetry will gain more appreciation over time
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | To the Memory of Mr. Oldham |
| Poet | John Dryden |
| Year Written | 1684 |
| Year Published | 1684 |
| Poem Type | Elegy |
| Verse Form | Heroic couplets |
| Main Subject | Mourning the young poet John Oldham |
| Themes | Mortality, poetic talent, admiration |
| Tone | Solemn, reflective, admiring |
| Historical Context | Written after the death of John Oldham at 30 |
| Significance | Highlights the potential of a young poet whose life was cut short |
| Famous Lines | “Farewell, too little and too lately known!” |
| Literary Movement | Restoration Literature |
| Purpose | Tribute to Oldham’s poetic genius and lamentation of his early death |